Every summer, the Lake Festival transforms Annecy into a spectacular open-air stage, attracting visitors from all over Europe. This event is Europe’s largest fireworks display.
After a break in 2024, which the city of Annecy used to consult residents, the Annecy Lake Festival makes its grand return on Saturday, August 2, 2025 and will enchant both young and old! Want to know more about this colorful event? Then read on and prepare for one of the most memorable editions!
Every year, on the first Saturday of August, Annecy lights up for its famous Lake Festival, a dazzling spectacle that gathers over 200,000 spectators on the shores of the lake.
This event originated in 1860, during the visit of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. To mark their passage and celebrate their presence, a Venetian festival was organized, with fireworks launched over the lake at the end of the evening.
It wasn’t until August 10, 1924, that the event took on a new dimension: the Annecy Tourist Office then organized a show combining illuminations, fireworks, and boat competitions.
Due to public enthusiasm for this event, the Lake Festival became an annual event from the following year, continuing to this day and becoming a truly magical fireworks display.
The Annecy Lake Festival makes its grand return in 2025 after a 2024 year marked by the Paris Olympic Games; the date is set for August 2, and some new features could very well be reserved, directly inspired by residents’ expectations. They want to keep this event, dear to their hearts, by the lake, but wish for a more accessible, friendly, and lively festival. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the Annecy Lake Festival was one of the points raised by residents during the consultation conducted by the City.
It is to address this last issue that the event is evolving towards a more eco-responsible format, with a show lasting a maximum of 70 minutes and an increased presence of luminous drones, while paying particular attention to the water and light effects that are the very essence of the show.
In addition, improvements are also planned to improve waste management and facilitate “access to public transport, thereby reducing the” impact of the festival on the “environment. As for the show itself, this edition features the artistic project ‘Ode to the Moon’, a project developed by the French company Arteventia. Divided into 6 acts, it is a powerful and colorful spectacle that the public will discover, combining pyrotechnics, water jets,” lights, lasers, luminéoles, and batucadas.
In addition, it will offer participants a varied musical repertoire and narration by voice actor Benoit Allemane, for a total and emotionally rich immersion.
The heart of the show takes place here. For the occasion, Le Pâquier becomes a huge open-air performance hall. You can choose to be seated on the lawn or in the stands, for an immersive experience with sound and optimal view. These seats are paid and highly sought after.
Even without a ticket, many spots around the lake allow you to attend the show for free. Here are the best locations:
The Lake Festival fireworks are, in addition to being unique, exceptional and custom-made by the master pyrotechnician Édouard Grégoire; the program includes 6 distinct acts that are intended to be intergenerational and colorful; furthermore, nature and human relationships will be highlighted through water jets, lights, and rockets.
Regarding ticket costs, prices vary: expect a price ranging from €6.50 if you plan to buy tickets to sit on the surrounding lawns, to €45 for adults who desire comfort and wish to get a prime spot in the stands facing Lake Annecy. A prime spot for an unforgettable event!
To participate in the Annecy Lake Festival and enjoy all it has to offer, you must purchase a ticket online or physically on the FNAC Annecy website, or on other sales sites. These opened on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10 AM, so don’t delay and book your ticket now!
Furthermore, to attract young people, 500 spots on the Pâquier lawn are offered to young people from Annecy aged 12 to 25, at a preferential rate of €5. To do this, young people must go to the Info Jeunes (Bonlieu center) to pick up a coupon with a promo code (one coupon per person).
Please note, however, that the area reserved for people with reduced mobility (PMR) is full for this year.
Our latest tips:
If you wish to spend a stay in Annecy in August, you absolutely must book your ticket and participate in the Annecy Lake Festival! Besides its fireworks, its magical lights and colors, it is a local festival whose charm and authenticity will delight you!
So, convinced? Don’t hesitate any longer and get ahead with your booking by choosing Location Lac Annecy! Our teams will make it easy for you and help you find the accommodation that best suits you, whether you come alone, with friends, or with family!