December is hurtling towards us, and it’s bringing the glorious, festive chaos with it! Time off from work, family visits, friends’ gatherings – the winter season is officially in full swing. As the cold sets in and snow looms on the horizon, Geneva comes alive with festive lights, cozy gatherings, and too many things to discover. You’re definitely going to need a plan to juggle all the festive fun.
To help you conquer your packed December calendar, we’ve curated a selection of the best things to do in Geneva and beyond. Get ready—there’s a lot coming up!
- Le Cirque de Noël | Now until 4 Jan 2026
- ⭐ Christmas Carols | 3 – 4 Dec 2025
- Prix Töpffer de la bande dessinée | 4 Dec 2025
- Festival International du Film sur les Glaciers | 4 -7 Dec 2025
- ⭐ Fête de l’Escalade | 6, 7 & 12 – 14 December 2025
- La Grande Braderie | 6-7 Dec 2025
- Concours Hippique de Genève | 10-14 Dec 2025
- ⭐ Disco Sur Glace | 13 & 27 Dec 2025
- Coupe de Noël | 20-21 Dec 2025
- Restauration de la République Remembrance | 31 Dec 2025
Events Outside of Geneva - ⭐ Le château du Père Noël (Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France) | Now until 3 Jan 2026
- ⭐ Le Hameau du Père Noël (Andilly, France) | Now until 4 Jan 2026
- Saint Nicholas Celebration (Fribourg) | 5 – 7 Dec 2025
- Fête des Lumières (Lyon, France) | 5 – 8 December 2025
- Alta Lumina (Les Gets, France) | 6 Dec 2025 – 14 Mar 2026
- Christmas Run (Lausanne) | 13 Dec 2025
- Pestacles du Père Noël (La Clusaz, France) | 24 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026
Geneva
1. Le Cirque de Noël | Plaine de Plainpalais | 22 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Circus lovers will have their special rendezvous, as Le Cirque de Noël has set up its tent on the Plaine de Plainpalais. Acrobatics, music, humorous acts and magical performances are on the menu of this family-run show, a city classic for more than 30 years. Tickets are available online.
2. Christmas Carols | Notre-Dame Basilica | 3-4 December 2025
In the majestic setting of Geneva’s Basilique Notre-Dame, the artists of the Grand Théâtre Choir, led by their director Mark Biggins, invite you to explore the many eras and cultures that make up the Christmas song repertoire. From the English tradition of Christmas carols to the French repertoire, as well as sacred music and folk songs, this concert will immerse the audience in the festive spirit through music. Tickets start at 10 CHF, and there are still some available—so make sure to secure yours soon!
🎄 If you want to go full Christmas mode, don’t hesitate to check out our Christmas market guides: Geneva’s 30 Hidden Christmas Markets You May Not Have Known and 15 Christmas Markets Within Easy Reach of Geneva.
3. Prix Töpffer de la bande dessinée | Le Cube, Campus HEAD| 4 December 2025
Comic strip stories are hugely popular around here, and this is one of the standout nights for their fans. For almost 30 years, the Prix Töpffer de la bande dessinée, organised by the Canton and City of Geneva, has celebrated the discipline known as the “ninth art.” This year’s programme includes a meeting with the prize winner, Olivier Schrauwen, an exhibition showcasing the bandes dessinées created by the six finalists, and a closing apéro with music.
4. Festival International du Film sur les Glaciers | Les Cinémas du Grütli| 4-7 December 2025
More than 10 international documentary, animated and short films will take centre stage at this edition of the Festival international du film sur les glaciers, which invites the public to reflect on glaciers as witnesses of today’s climate emergency. Organised by Mission Planète Terre, the programme includes discussions and meetings with filmmakers, concerts and screenings.
5. Fête de l’Escalade | Geneva Downtown | 6, 7 & 12, 13, 14 December 2025
If you haven’t been to the Fête de l’Escalade yet, let’s make a deal: go this year. Geneva’s most traditional celebration is unmissable if you want to dive into the local culture. This is one of the coolest times to be in the city.
What is the Fête de l’Escalade about?
It commemorates Geneva’s victory over a Savoyard attack on the night of 11–12 December 1602 (you can read more about the story here). We are in 2025 and, 423 years later, the programme includes an exciting range of activities:
- Running races, both professional and amateur. Registrations are now closed, but on 6 December you can still cheer for families, groups of friends and enthusiasts taking part in the Course de la Marmite with their hilarious costumes, and then head to the big (and heated!) tent to enjoy a raclette.
- Strolling around the vieille ville, where you’ll literally feel transported to the past: historical reenactments, singing, costumes and traditional food await—like the vegetable soup (the one used to scare away the Savoyards) or cochon à la broche.
- A unique activity only possible during l’Escalade: discover the Passage Monétier—closed off by a gate the rest of the year. This remnant of a path beneath the old city walls, dating back to the late 5th century, once allowed Geneva’s defenders to quickly reach their combat positions.
- Eating chocolate! The symbol of the Fête de l’Escalade is a large chocolate cauldron (marmite) that should be smashed by the youngest and the oldest together. You’ll find marmites en chocolat all over the city (supermarkets, chocolateries, restaurants).
A full programme is available here.
6. La Grande Braderie | Musée d’Art et d’Histoire| 6-7 December 2025
Whether you’re an art lover or looking for an original gift for someone, mark your calendar! The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève (MAH) is organizing La Grande Braderie, a two-day special sale where you’ll find art books (Auguste Rodin, Gustave Courbet, Konrad Witz) at special prices.
Together with the Croix-Rouge genevoise, the museum is also hosting Cadeaux de Noël Solidaires. Until December 12, you can bring a new gift to be offered to children in vulnerable situations. If you attend La Grande Braderie, consider supporting this initiative—it might make a child smile. Read the details here.
7. Concours Hippique de Genève | Palexpo | 10-14 December 2025
The Concours Hippique de Genève, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions, will take place at the world’s largest indoor arena (5,400 m²) at Palexpo. For five days, the best riders will compete in jumping, driving, cross-country and dressage. There will also be talks, workshops, demonstrations and activities for kids. Tickets are available here.
8. Disco sur glace | Patinoire des Vernets| 13 & 27 December 2025
During winter, you’ll find plenty of ice rinks across the city where you can learn your first glides or show off your skills. To add an extra twist, the Patinoire des Vernets organises Disco sur glace, six special nights throughout the season where you can skate while dancing under the disco ball lights. The next dates are 13 and 27 December from 19h (full agenda here). If you’re a beginner or don’t have your own skates, don’t worry—skate rentals are available for 2 CHF (general entry is 7 CHF, under-25s 3.5 CHF).
G. Glément / Ville de Genève
9. Coupe de Noël | Lac de Genève | 20-21 December 2025
In 1934, fewer than ten swimmers took part in the first Coupe de Noël. In 2024, the event counted 4,400 participants. And yes, you guessed correctly: Lac de Genève will be cold on 20–21 December (around 10°C), but thousands of swimmers will still join both the timed races (100 metres alongside the Jardin Anglais) and the humorous one, where participants wear colourful costumes and funny group outfits.
‼️ Important advice: swimming in cold water requires training and proper preparation.
10. Restauration de la République Remembrance | Promenade de la Treille| 31 December 2025
Another opportunity to dive into Geneva’s history, as this gathering commemorates the restoration of the République de Genève on 31 December 1813.
Every year on the last day of December, the event takes place at Promenade de la Treille, starting early in the morning with cannon shots, followed by fanfares, singing, and an official ceremony. After that, a community breakfast is offered under the old arsenal. While we wait for this year’s details, you can learn more here.
Switzerland & Neighbouring France
11. Le château du Père Noël | Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France | Now until 3 January 2026
If visiting Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard at any time of the year feels like stepping into a fairytale, imagine it during the Christmas season. Overlooking Lake Annecy, this private château transforms into Le Château du Père Noël, complete with a Christmas market, an ice rink, musical animations and Santa himself. Check their updates on Instagram.
Tip: Tickets range from €6 (ages 5–14) to €12 (15+). After 18h, entry is free for everyone!
12. Le Hameau du Père Noël| Le Grand Parc d’Andilly, France | Now until 4 January 2026
Have you always dreamed of visiting Santa’s home? Well, your moment has arrived—whether you’re 5 or 95. Le Hameau du Père Noël is a festive village where you can step inside Santa’s charming house, the elves’ garden and the storybook cottage, and explore many other magical spaces.
Additionally, Le Grand Parc de Noël offers outdoor activities and the chance to visit different members of Santa’s family.
Keep in mind that the Grand Parc d’Andilly covers more than 5 hectares, and a full visit takes around 5 hours. Expect longer visits during peak times (yes, Christmas season!). Booking your tickets in advance is recommended.
13. Saint Nicholas Celebration | Fribourg Downtown | 5-7 December 2025
Every year during the first weekend of December, the city of Fribourg honours its patron saint, Saint Nicholas, with a special three-day celebration. There will be a 55-stand artisans’ and schoolchildren’s market at the Collège St-Michel, which will also be the starting point for the main parade—a procession during which Saint Nicholas, mounted on his donkey and greeting and blessing the crowds, distributes biscuits all along the route through downtown Fribourg. Full programme available here.
14. Fête des Lumières | Lyon Downtown, France | 5-8 December 2025
Held since 1852, Lyon’s most important annual event is the Fête des Lumières, when the façades of the city’s most beautiful buildings turn into giant canvases illuminated by spectacular light shows. Another highlight comes from the locals themselves, who carry traditional lumignons (small candles) through the streets and set them on their windowsills and balconies.
Plan ahead which monuments you’d like to visit—and be patient, as the event is usually very crowded.
I love Lyon / Brice Robert
15. Alta Lumina | Les Gets, France | 6 December 2025 – 14 March 2026
Walking under the stars, surrounded by snow, in the middle of a mountain forest? Yes, that’s Alta Lumina—an experience where you’ll be guided by a musician and his hot-air balloon along a one-kilometre walk.
This enchanting show runs all year long in Les Gets, in the French Alps, and its winter season will debut on 6 December. Online reservations are strongly recommended (tickets are 19.50€ for adults, 10.50€ for 5-15 years kids, free for under 5). You can also buy a gift card in case you want to surprise someone during Christmas!
Moment Factory
16. Christmas Run | Place de l’Europe, Lausanne | 13 December 2025
Runners of all ages and fitness levels are welcome at the Christmas Run, one of Lausanne’s most popular end-of-year events. Starting from Place de l’Europe, the race offers 12 individual and group categories—some of them with a strongly encouraged Santa dress code! Kids aged 7 to 17 can register for free, while the other races have entry fees ranging from 15 CHF to 115 CHF.
17. Pestacles du Père Noël | La Clusaz, France | 24 December 2025 – 2 January 2026
Street performances, music and folkloric traditions come together with the Christmas spirit at the Pestacles du Père Noël in La Clusaz. From 24 December to 2 January, La Clusaz will transform its village centre into an open-air theatre—an opportunity to enjoy art while discovering this wonderful place in the French Alps.
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