Each year sees the town of Lyon (France) host, on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Fête des Illuminations. This year, the latter took place over several days, from 5 to 8 December.
But it is a little-known fact that this celebration of light was inaugurated during the reign of Napoleon III. Started by the Cardinal de Bonal on 8 December, 1852, tradition dictates that lanterns were hung from windows, and the inhabitants of the city were encouraged to go into the streets to socialise and talk.
The BBC website (UK) has a series of photos from this year's Fête des Illuminations, available here (external link).