Chroma 2026 at Amiens Cathedral: Dates, Start Time and Tips
Chroma turns the façade of Amiens Cathedral into the setting for a light presentation. Here are the 2026 dates, the start time and how to fit it into a market day.
Chroma 2026 takes place on the façade of Amiens Cathedral from 27 November to 27 December, according to the city’s event page dated 2026. The programme lists a daily start at 19:00, and the event page describes a duration of 50 minutes. The dates differ from the Christmas market, which runs until 30 December; our Amiens Christmas market 2026 page shows both side by side.
Why two date ranges appear online
The city’s general programme page also shows a different range, 29 November to 29 December, next to a reference to 2024. The guide follows the separate detail page explicitly dated 2026. In practice this means:
27 November to 27 December: the dates to plan with.
28 to 30 December: the market is still open, but these are not confirmed Chroma evenings.
Before travelling: check the current announcement if Chroma is your main reason for the trip.
See the façade in daylight first
The guide suggests visiting the cathedral by day before the evening. Seeing the portals, figures and the tall façade in daylight makes the change during the projection more noticeable. Route 2 in the guide is built on this idea.
Early afternoon: the cathedral, starting outside with the façade, then the interior if current access and services allow.
Late afternoon: a limited market walk, finishing in time for a seated break or an early meal.
19:00: back to the forecourt for Chroma, then straight to your accommodation or train.
Chroma on the forecourt does not mean the church is open at the same time. The guide also notes that different church and association pages publish different closing times, so visit the interior well before evening.
Eating and shopping before 19:00
A programme with a fixed start does not combine well with an open-ended restaurant visit. Eat before you move to the cathedral, and ask when ordering whether the time allows for a relaxed meal. After a late lunch, a smaller break may be enough. Finish shopping in good time too. The market route and the Chroma forecourt are different destinations, and searching for a particular red chalet at 18:45 is not a calm way to spend the evening.
Fridays and Saturdays suit Chroma evenings well, as the main chalets stay open until 21:00, giving you the option of a short walk afterwards if you are staying in town.
Getting home afterwards
The end of the projection alone does not tell you when you will reach the station. Save the route to your accommodation or Gare d’Amiens, and allow a separate buffer. Noctibus offers certain late connections on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Saint-Leu and Gare du Nord for defined areas. If the timing feels tight, the guide recommends an overnight stay over a rushed journey home.
During the presentation, you might watch part of it without your phone. Keep passageways clear for others.
Towers and treasury on the same day
You do not need to add a tower climb to a Chroma evening. If you want one, plan it for the afternoon: winter departures are at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, except Tuesdays and during religious ceremonies, and weather may cancel them. The treasury visit is at 11:00, except Tuesdays and Sundays. Avoid closely spaced appointments that depend on one visit finishing exactly on time.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Chroma start in Amiens?
The current programme lists a daily start at 19:00. The event page gives a duration of 50 minutes.
Is Chroma on after Christmas?
Yes, until 27 December according to the 2026 event page. Days after 27 December are not confirmed.
Do I need a ticket for Chroma?
The guide gives no ticket requirement for Chroma. It treats the towers and treasury as separate paid visits. Check the current announcement for any changes.
Research status: 28 October 2026. Dates, times and prices are planning information and can change, so check the official sources listed in the guide before you travel.
