Lyon, July 10, 2026 – The 18th edition of the Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale, scheduled from September 19 to December 13, 2026, is expanding its program with 46 new invited artists, bringing the total to 119 participants from 42 nationalities. A new exhibition venue, the Cour des Loges Lyon, located in the heart of Old Lyon, will join the official itinerary. Early bird tickets are available until July 15, 2026.
119 Artists and 11 Venues: The 2026 Lyon Biennale Promises to Be a Must-See Event
The Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale confirms its ambition for this 18th edition by welcoming 46 new artists, who join an already extensive program. In total, 119 creators from 42 nationalities will participate in the event, demonstrating a strong openness to the diversity of practices, generations, and geographical horizons. Among them, 68% are women, 23% are under 35, and 29% are French.
The program includes 65 original creations and 12 new adaptations, which will be presented in various venues across Lyon. This edition, themed “Passing from one dream to another,” aims to explore collective imaginations through a wide variety of artistic forms. In the Rhône region, the Biennale has established itself for decades as one of the flagship events on the international art scene.
Among the highlights of the program is the International Young Creation initiative, which has supported emerging artists for over twenty years. For this edition, 11 selected artists from this program will present new works at the Institut d’art contemporain / Frac Rhône-Alpes. This springboard, supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region as a primary partner, is an essential component of the Biennale for discovering the talents of tomorrow.
Cour des Loges and Artist Mikhail Karikis Enhance the Exhibition Route
A significant new addition to this edition is the Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel, nestled in the 5th arrondissement in the heart of Old Lyon. It joins the official itinerary as the 11th exhibition venue. This heritage building, steeped in seven centuries of history with its majestic Florentine courtyard and suspended walkways, will host two works as part of the event. Its Renaissance architecture naturally echoes the theme of this edition.
Artist Mikhail Karikis, born in Greece and based in Lisbon, conducted a collaborative workshop with young Lyonnais aged 10 to 25 in the run-up to the Biennale. Together, they developed the work We Are Together Because…, focusing on notions of collectivity, solidarity, and group strength. Sound, voice, and collective action are at the heart of his artistic practice, which explores forms of resistance and alternative social imaginaries.
The result of this collaborative work will be visible both in the city of Lyon and at the Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs throughout the Biennale. This type of participatory approach, directly involving residents in the creation of a work, illustrates the Biennale’s ambition to forge links between contemporary art and the territories it invests. Visitors will thus be able to discover a work rooted in the reality of Lyon.
Tickets and Early Bird Offers for the Lyon Biennale 2026
Early bird tickets are available until July 15, 2026, with a special rate for the Pass, valid in all 11 venues from September 19 to December 13, 2026. This undated pass grants one entry to each of the paid venues of the event.
- Early bird pass: 20 € (instead of 25 €)
Several venues offer free access, including the Traboules des pentes de la Croix-Rousse, the Jardin du musée des Beaux-Arts, the Fondation Bullukian, the LPA Saint-Antoine car park, and the Gare Part-Dieu Metro B station.
How to Prepare for Your Visit to the Lyon Biennale
The Lyon Biennale occupies 11 venues spread across different districts of Lyon, several of which are accessible without a ticket. For groups, whether school groups, businesses, or associations, it is advisable to organize your visit in advance to make the most of the itinerary. The venues are well served by public transport, including the Gare Part-Dieu Metro B station, which is itself part of the exhibition spaces.
Source: Biennale d’art contemporain de Lyon, JDS.fr
