The Île de loisirs de Cergy-Pontoise, in the Val-d'Oise (95), isn’t about to let winter slow things down. As the 2026 season just opened, the Neuville-sur-Oise site announces a major new feature for the coming months: an immersive festival of lights object, planned from Toussaint to the end of February. A wonderful way to extend the season and attract visitors well beyond the heat of peak summer.
It’s Le Parisien that unveils the outlines of this bold project. The base director, Fabien Franc, is positively bullish, promising an experience that goes far beyond mere sightseeing. The lighted trail will stretch for about 2 km inside the seaside resort’s grounds, a 3-hectare enclosed space that’s tailor-made for this kind of event. A private operator, chosen through a bidding process, will take over the beach each winter for four years. Admission will run under €20, and parking will remain free, as it does in the winter season.
We don’t yet know all the installations planned, but the project is designed to be innovative compared with what’s already on offer in Île-de-France. Think of Thoiry Lumières Sauvages in Yvelines, the Odyssee Lumineuse at Parc Floral in Paris’s 12th arrondissement, or Lumières en Seine at Parc de Saint-Cloud—the night-time routes that have proven popular with families across the region. Cergy aims to offer something different—more participatory and interactive—according to the initial details released. We’re waiting for more as the November 2026 opening approaches.
This project sits within a broader strategy to diversify the leisure island’s mix of offerings. The public institution, which relies on its own revenues for about 70% of its funding, is increasingly bringing in private operators to shore up its finances and broaden its range of activities. The X Aquapark project, launched in 2024, generated more than €500,000 in revenue in just ten weeks, attracting thrill-seekers from all over Île-de-France. A winning formula that also helps introduce the site’s entire range of activities to new audiences.
What people also value is that access stays open to everyone. The island keeps activities affordable or free: ping-pong tables, a barbecue zone, a renovated mini-golf course at €4.50, the Sploutch area, and new pedal boats for children at €5. The site remains true to its mission of family-friendly recreation, even for the tightest budgets.
For fans of nocturnal strolls and winter light displays, this light festival in Cergy-Pontoise is a event to watch closely for fall 2026. In the meantime, you can find all current activities on the the official site of the Cergy-Pontoise leisure island.
Here's a welcome initiative for a leisure hub that shines in summer but has struggled to find its footing in winter. This kind of event is aimed at families, couples, and groups of friends looking for a unique evening out in Île-de-France without crossing Paris. Accessible by the RER A from the capital, the site is easy to reach. The only downside: you’ll have to wait until November to enjoy it.
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