Lille is a dynamic city, bustling with events all year round. Whether celebrating its rich history, cultural diversity or simply enjoying life, Lille offers a varied program to suit all tastes and desires.
From must-see events like the Braderie de Lille, Lille3000, the Fête de la musique and the Marché de Noël de Lille, to the Fête de la soupe, each month brings its own surprises. Here’s a quick overview of some of the events just waiting for you:
La huge welcome party – erasmus place
This is the event not to be missed by any Erasmus student in Lille! Every September, the Erasmus Place association organizes a big welcome party at Slalom, one of the city’s most popular clubs. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet other students, exchange ideas and forge lasting friendships, all set to great music. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your Erasmus year off to a memorable start and immediately immerse yourself in Lille’s social life! To buy your ticket, click here !
The Braderie
Jérémy-Günther-Heinz Jähnick / Lille – Braderie de Lille de 2012 (13) / Wikimedia Commons
When: the first weekend in September (with the exception of September 14 and 15 for the 2024 edition, mainly due to the Olympic Games)
The Braderie de Lille, one of Europe’s biggest flea markets, is a not-to-be-missed event in early September, attracting over two million visitors from all over the world every year. Pendant deux jours, les rues de Lille se transforment en un gigantesque bazar où des milliers de vendeurs, des professionnels aux particuliers, proposent des antiquités, des objets de collection, des vêtements vintage, des livres rares et bien plus encore. It’s the ideal place to find hidden treasures and bargains. The Braderie is also a gastronomic feast, with the famous mussels and French fries on the menu: almost 500 tonnes of mussels and 30 tonnes of French fries are consumed every year. Participants compete to form the most impressive pyramids of empty shells. This tradition, which dates back to the 12th century, is a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the local culture, meet new people and enjoy an unforgettable experience in a friendly, festive atmosphere.
Lille3000
Olivier Duquesne, Parade Eldorado, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/, via Flickr
When: approximately every 3 years (last edition in 2022)
Launched in 2004 following Lille’s success as European Capital of Culture, Lille3000 offers major themed cultural events (cultural seasons) lasting several months and attracting millions of visitors. It offers a different theme for each edition, exploring a variety of subjects such as India in the 2006 edition, the Renaissance or Mexico in the Eldorado edition.
Exhibitions, art installations, performances, parades and shows take over streets, museums and public spaces. It’s a true celebration of creativity and innovation, where you can immerse yourself in a cosmopolitan, avant-garde atmosphere, while enjoying the warm hospitality of the people of Lille.
Music Festival
When : 21 juin
It’s the must-attend event that marks the start of summer! On this day, the streets, squares and parks of Lille are transformed into open-air concert stages, where amateur and professional musicians of all kinds perform free of charge. From pop and rock to jazz, classical and world rhythms, you’ll discover an incredible variety of musical styles and local talent.
Whether in a bar, on the street or in a museum, there’ll be music everywhere, and best of all, it’s free!
Christmas Market
Guillaume Baviere, Lille. The Christmas market seen from the Giant Ferris Wheel, CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ via Flickr
When: November 20 to December 29, 2024
Lille’s Christmas Market, held every year from late November to late December, is a winter wonderland in the heart of the city. The Place Rihour is transformed into an enchanting village with over 90 decorated and illuminated wooden chalets, where you’ll find local artisans selling handmade products, Christmas decorations, and traditional treats like waffles, gingerbread and mulled wine.
The festive atmosphere is enhanced by a Ferris wheel offering a panoramic view of the illuminated city. It’s the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself, discover French Christmas traditions, sample local gastronomy, and find unique gifts for your loved ones.
To find out more about Lille’s finest markets, click here!
Série Mania
Picture via https://seriesmania.com/festival/galerie/best-off/
When: March (March 21-28 for the 2025 edition)
The International TV Series Festival, which takes place every year in Lille, is a must-attend event for series fans from all over the world. For one week, the city becomes the meeting place for audiovisual industry professionals and series enthusiasts alike.
Screenings of never-before-seen series, meetings with directors and actors, conferences and round-table discussions are organized at various venues around the city. Renowned personalities such as David Lynch, Gillian Anderson and Ryan Murphy have already taken part in this prestigious event, attracting international media attention. Série Mania offers a unique opportunity to preview the latest trends in contemporary television and to meet some of the industry’s leading figures.
Heritage Days
When: in September
Every year in September, this event offers visitors the chance to visit monuments, historic sites and places usually closed to the public, free of charge.
Guided tours, exhibitions, lectures and events are organized throughout the city, allowing participants to immerse themselves in Lille’s fascinating history. Emblematic buildings such as the Hôtel de Ville, the Vieille Bourse and the Citadelle are open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to discover the city’s remarkable architecture.
It’s the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the city’s history and cultural heritage, while enjoying an enriching and immersive experience!
Lille Art Up!
Lille ArtUp! via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com.lilleartup)
When: February or March (March 13 to 16, 2025)
Lille Art Up! is one of the major artistic events highlighting the diversity and creativity of Lille’s contemporary art world. Every year, this contemporary art fair attracts thousands of visitors to Lille, providing a prime platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. Around a hundred local and even international art galleries exhibit a wide range of works, from painting and sculpture to photography and digital art, all representing a theme that changes every year. If you’re an art lover, you’ll be able to discover new talent and meet renowned artists!
Lillarious
Lillarious via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LillariousFestival)
When: in February
Ready to give your zygomatic muscles a workout? Lillarious is Lille’s comedy festival, a not-to-be-missed event that brings together renowned comedians and up-and-coming talents every year, offering a program rich in laughter and unforgettable moments. For several days, various venues around the city will be hosting performances ranging from stand-up to sketches and improvisation. With artists such as Haroun, Shirley Souagnon and Guillaume Meurice having already graced its stages, Lillarious is an opportunity to delve into the best that French humor has to offer.
Lille Street Food Festival
When: October (October 3 to October 6 for the 2024 edition)
Gourmet? Then this event is for you! Over four days, explore the 34 street food stalls and 12 different drinks stands proposed by local chefs, restaurateurs and brasseries, and discover new flavours. From local dishes to international specialties, not forgetting the sweet stuff, you won’t know where to turn. But there’s more to the program than just tasting! DJ sets, a brass band, a spicy resistance challenge, demonstrations – there’s plenty to do. Be careful, though: it’s a crowded place! With 26,000 visitors in 2022, queues can be long.
BAL: Lille Beer Festival
When: November (November 4-10 for 2024)
In 2023, the BAL will see 70 events throughout the metropolis and 90 different breweries present, as well as 10,000 during the closing weekend, figures that once again prove the love of the people of Lille for beer. Bars, restaurants and even public places all over the metropolis are transformed into bridges between the world of beer, culture, heritage and gastronomy.
Tastings and activities of all kinds await you, giving you the chance to discover the region’s brewing culture, so dear to the hearts of the people of Lille.
Soup festival
Olivier Duquesne, Louche d’Or 2008, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ via Flickr
Soup festival, golden ladle or international soup festival, this unmissable event goes by many names! And if that’s the case, it’s because the soup festival has many facets: it’s not just a party or a festival: it’s also a competition! Every spring, in the Wazemmes district, amateur and professional chefs get together to concoct and share original, tasty soups.
The competition culminates in the Louche d’Or, awarded to the best soup by a jury of chefs and local personalities. As the word “feast” implies, soup isn’t the only thing to enjoy here. The shows, the musical performances and, above all, the atmosphere, all come together to make sure you have a great time. So come and celebrate conviviality and culinary creativity!
Lille International Short Film Festival
Rencontres Audiovisuelles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hear ye, hear ye, cinephiles! Feature films may be all the rage, but don’t forget to highlight short films! Here, we celebrate the diversity and creativity of the short format, presenting an eclectic selection of fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films. Meetings, discussions, conferences, challenges and, of course, screenings take place in the city’s most emblematic venues, including the Palais des Beaux-Arts and the Théâtre Sébastopol. And you can even get in on the fun by becoming a critic! The audience prizes (Grand Prix, International Prize and National Prize) are awarded by audience votes.
Consult Lille’s cultural calendar to make sure you don’t miss any festivals, concerts, shows or sporting events. You’ll find it here or there!
Thanks to this short guide to events in Lille, you’ll have everything you need to plan your stay and your activities! Have fun!
