As the first weekend of 2026 arrives, communities across central France are buzzing with a kaleidoscope of events, offering something for every taste and age. From the Cher region’s luminous winter nights and lively lotteries to the Loire’s tattoo artistry and immersive nature adventures, locals and visitors alike are spoiled for choice as they bid farewell to the holiday season and prepare for the return to routine.
In the Cher department, festivities kick off on Friday, January 2, 2026, with the highly anticipated 'Nuits Lumière d’hiver.' This enchanting light show illuminates the facades of Bourges’ École nationale supérieure d’art and Hôtel Lallemant from 9 PM each evening through Sunday. According to Le Berry Républicain, the blue bear Ursine, the event’s beloved mascot, takes center stage in a mapping display titled 'L’Éveil d’Ursine' at the art school, while the hotel’s courtyard comes alive with 'Ursine fête Noël.' The spectacle is free, inviting families and art lovers to stroll through the city’s historic heart under a magical glow.
But that’s just the beginning. Bourges also plays host to a flurry of lotteries over the weekend, a cherished local tradition. On Friday at 8 PM, the association Du soleil à Madzari welcomes hopeful participants to a super lottery at Espace Nelson-Mandela. The excitement continues Saturday with a giant, non-stop lottery organized by ASIE du Cher foot at Carré d’Auron, with sessions at 2 PM and 8 PM. Meanwhile, Grossouvre’s Salle des fêtes sees a belote card game contest starting at 1:30 PM, where players vie for prizes and camaraderie for just 10 euros each.
Saturday also brings quieter pleasures. At 10 AM, the Médiathèque des 3 Provinces in Sancoins invites bookworms and cinephiles for a morning of sharing favorite reads and films. In Cuffy, the local fête committee hosts a lottery on both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, while Mehun-sur-Yèvre’s judo club offers super rifles competitions and a Lego exhibition at the Centre culturel Louis-Aragon, with proceeds benefiting the Téléthon. The Lego event, running all weekend, promises a treasure hunt, building zone, and sweet treats for the whole family.
Sunday, January 4, 2026, is especially packed with options. In Bourges, ballet aficionados can catch a retransmission of The Royal Ballet’s 'Casse-Noisette' at the CGR cinema at 5:45 PM, with tickets priced at 13 or 19 euros. Meanwhile, Châteaumeillant’s Salle des fêtes hosts a lottery by the Challenge Boischaut Marches association from 1:15 PM, and Méreau’s Salle des fêtes opens its doors at 1 PM for SMMA’s own lottery. Saint-Doulchard’s Centre socioculturel features a grand lottery by the Salamandre handball club at 2:30 PM, with reservations required due to limited seating.
For music lovers, Chavignol’s old school becomes the stage for the trio Abutilon at 4 PM. Their concert, described by organizers as "intimate, playful, and poetic," weaves together voice, piano, flute, and traditional instruments. Tickets are 10 euros, with free entry for children under 10. Meanwhile, Saint-Pierre-les-Bois celebrates the feast of Saint Vincent and Saint Blaise with a mass at 10:30 AM, followed by a festive meal and an afternoon dance featuring the orchestra of Baptiste Auclair, with Géraldine Camusat and Thierry Moutoulatchimy joining in at 12:30 PM. Reservations for the meal were required by December 28, but the tea dance opens at 3 PM for 15 euros.
In Saint-Vitte, the spectacle turns theatrical at 2:30 PM with a Venetian costume parade winding its way to the church, where attendees are encouraged to don masks and revel in the pageantry. The magic continues at 5 PM with a gospel concert by Gospel au Chœur, with tickets at 10 euros (including a glass of spiced apple juice). Soulangis, too, joins the lottery fever with a super draw at 2:30 PM in the Salle des fêtes, while Vierzon’s media library hosts an inclusive afternoon of communal singing at 3 PM.
For those who prefer the great outdoors, Vignoux-sur-Barangeon’s sports club organizes a pedestrian hike with four circuits—ranging from a challenging 35 km to a gentle 9 km—setting off from the Centre socioculturel between 5:45 and 9 AM. Each route offers a different perspective on the region’s winter landscapes, with modest entry fees ensuring accessibility for all.
Venturing beyond Cher, the neighboring Loire and Haute-Loire regions are equally vibrant. The 13th Tattoo43 convention takes over Blavozy’s Centre socioculturel from Friday through Sunday, bringing together around fifty tattoo artists for live inking, drawing contests, breakdance battles, concerts, and quizzes. As reported by Le Progrès, entry is 8 euros, with children under 12 admitted free, making it a family-friendly affair that celebrates both body art and community spirit.
Science and history enthusiasts can head to the Saint-Étienne Planetarium on Friday at 5 PM for a 3D screening of 'L’Aventure Apollo 3D,' which revisits the awe-inspiring 1969 moon landing. The immersive film, with tickets ranging from 8.80 to 11 euros, lets viewers experience the journey "almost as if you were there," echoing Neil Armstrong’s immortal words: "That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
Nature lovers are invited to Les Estables on Sunday afternoon for a guided walk through the Mézenc massif. Organized by Guide Nature Randonnée, the excursion promises insights into winter survival strategies for both humans and animals, with snowshoeing offered if conditions allow. The cost is 20 euros for adults and 16 euros for children aged 7 to 16, and the adventure begins in front of the local tourist office at 2 PM.
In Saint-Galmier, a free exhibition transports visitors to a meticulously recreated Provençal village of the early 20th century, complete with hand-crafted buildings, market scenes, and a festive nativity display. Open from 2 to 6 PM daily through Sunday at the former Badoit factory, the exhibit is the handiwork of Frédéric Juven, Catherine Bort, and Émile Holdrinet. Chambéon’s Écopôle du Forez offers a hands-on educational adventure about badgers—nicknamed the "little bear"—on Sunday from 2:30 to 4 PM, where children can investigate the animal’s habits through games and exploration for a nominal fee.
Other regional highlights include guided tours in Vichy exploring both the city’s wartime history and the origins of its famed pastille candy, a boat ride on the Loire in Orléans, and digital art experiences at Nevers’ Micro-Folie. The Château de Valençay hosts equestrian shows and toy exhibitions through January 4, while Bourges’ Centre Avaricum tempts passersby with a chalet serving crêpes and mulled wine every afternoon.
With such a dazzling array of activities, the first weekend of 2026 in central France is a testament to the region’s creative spirit, communal warmth, and enduring traditions. Whether drawn to the glow of winter lights, the thrill of a lottery, the serenity of nature, or the pulse of live music and art, everyone can find a moment of joy to carry into the new year.