November in Geneva may not be the sunniest month, but it certainly doesn’t have to be a dull one.
As chocolate marmites return to the shelves and the first Christmas lights brighten the streets, there’s plenty happening to make the most of the season.
Festivals, cultural discoveries, seasonal traditions and more: we’ve rounded up the events worth knowing about this November in Geneva.
Allez, let’s see what’s on!
- November in Geneva and its Surroundings: The Best Events
- 🎺 Culture, Sports & Entertainment
- 🫕 Holiday events, Food & Local Culture
November in Geneva and its Surroundings: The Best Events
🎺 Culture, Sports & Entertainment
- Until 15 Nov | Dance First Think Later (Geneva) This festival explores the intersections of dance, performance, visual arts and moving images.
- Until 15 Nov | Colloque Wright (Geneva) This free light and sound experience returns to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, transforming its façade into a giant canvas for its new show, Intelligences en mouvement.
- 1 Nov | Fête de la glace (Geneva) Want to try ice skating or playing ice hockey? November in Geneva starts with the Fête de la glace at the Vernets ice rink, where everyone is invited to give these sports a try for free, with guidance from experts. There’ll also be a DJ, food stalls and other activities.
- 1 Nov | Balexert 20K Genève (Geneva) There are still spots available in some amateur, family and kids’ categories at this traditional running event. If you’re not taking part, you can still come along and cheer on the runners!
- 6 Nov | Défilé HEAD (Geneva) The Geneva University of Art and Design presents its end-of-year fashion show, where graduating students will showcase their collections, accompanied by original scenography and music composed especially for the occasion. A jury of 10 personalities will select the winner!
- 6-8 Nov | The English Library Book Sale (Geneva) Find thousands of second-hand books in English at the big book sale organised by The English Library.
- 6–13 Nov | Concours de Genève (Geneva) This iconic classical music competition celebrates its 80th anniversary as it continues to support and promote young musicians. Orchestral conducting and composition are the main disciplines this year.
- 6 Nov–4 Dec | Festival Bach (Lausanne, VD) Dedicated to performing the works of Bach, his predecessors and contemporaries, this festival presents 10 concerts.
- 6–29 Nov | Festival Antibrouillard (Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France) The name? Spot on for the region in November! Festival Antibrouillard focuses on the performing arts, with theatre productions, music and comedy shows, and a street art exhibition.
- 7 Nov | Journée des Arts (Nyon) Wander around art galleries, museums and ateliers, meet local artists, and enjoy performances and free activities as Nyon’s art scene celebrates its annual open doors day.
- 7–8 Nov | Le Salon du Design (Geneva) Love vintage interiors? Head to Le Salon du Design at Pavillon Sicli for a curated selection of 20th-century furniture, lighting and unique decorative objects.
- 11–15 Nov | Montreux Art Gallery (Montreux, VD) This contemporary art fair brings together independent artists and galleries at the Montreux Music and Convention Centre.
- 12 Nov | Nuit des Bains (Geneva) November in Geneva means the last chance of the year to attend Nuit des Bains, an evening when museums, galleries and art spaces in Quartier des Bains and Plainpalais open their doors simultaneously for a collective vernissage, with free admission.
🎨 Want to dive into the local scene? Check this article: Step Into Geneva’s Art Gallery Scene: 10 Galleries and Events to Discover.
- 12 Nov–29 Jan | Montagne en Scène (Archamps & Annecy–France, Bulle & Aigle–Switzerland) A fan of mountain sports or cinema? Then check out the Montagne en Scène programme, featuring a great selection of films about skiing, mountaineering, trail running, paragliding and climbing.
- 13–22 Nov | FILMAR (Geneva) Switzerland’s leading Latin American film festival is back with a programme exploring key themes such as queer stories and the relationship between cinema and music. There’s also a dedicated programme for kids.
- 15, 22 & 29 Nov | Concerts d’Automne (Geneva) Every November, this event showcases a classical music repertoire at the Carouge Temple. The first evening features two pianists, the second spotlights the winners of the Bourse Marescotti, and the final concert is designed for families, with Les Variations Musicales.
- 17–29 Nov | Les Créatives (Geneva) Music, arts and crafts, exhibitions, talks… There’s so much going on at Les Créatives this year!
- 19-20 Nov | CERN Art and Science Summit (Geneva) The third edition of The Hybrid Nexus fosters dialogue between fundamental research, the arts and contemporary thought at CERN. Enjoy two days of talks, debates and exhibitions. Registration is required.
- 19–22 Nov | Lumière sur Evian (Évian-les-Bains, France) This new festival dedicated to silent cinema makes its debut this November. In partnership with the Institut Lumière in Lyon, it will screen film masterpieces and rarities, with a special focus on Charlie Chaplin.
- 21 Nov–10 Jan | Cirque de Noël (Geneva) One of the region’s well-known circus companies returns with a brand-new show, this time in Chêne-Bougeries. Expect acrobatics, comedy and music!
- 28 Nov | Servette FC vs FC Lausanne-Sport (Geneva) Experience the derby du lac live from the stands as Servette FC takes on FC Lausanne-Sport at Stade de Genève in the Swiss Super League.
- Until 31 Dec | La Revue Genevoise (Geneva) The satirical show that sums up Geneva’s year is back, this time in Plainpalais. Find out what’s been happening over the past 12 months through humorous sketches, music and dance (Note that the show is in French).
- Until 2 Dec | Genesis (Geneva) This immersive light experience transforms the Temple de Saint-Gervais into a living canvas, with stunning 360° projections across its walls, columns and vaulted ceilings, accompanied by music.
Photo credit: Projektil Experiences
🎄Holiday events, Food & Local Culture
- Until 7 Nov | Chocolatissimo (Nêuchatel) Calling all chocolate lovers! Chocolatissimo celebrates chocolate with a free-entry event in Neuchâtel, featuring tastings, talks and workshops. This year’s special occasion? The 200th anniversary of Suchard, the historic local chocolate brand.
- 1 Nov | Festival des Tramways Historiques (Geneva) Hop aboard a historic tram and explore the city as it was in the 1920s and 1950s. There’ll be three routes departing from Bel-Air Cité towards Gare Cornavin, Lancy-Bachet and Moillesulaz, as well as a trolleybus running from Rive to Jonction.
- 1 Nov | Día de los Muertos Festival (Geneva) Dive into one of Mexico’s most traditional celebrations at Palexpo, where a 10,000 m² village comes to life with decorations, performances, authentic Mexican flavours and fiesta vibes until 6 a.m.!
- 5–7 Nov | DiVINes! (Rolle) This fair dedicated to Swiss women winemakers will take over the Château de Rolle for three days, with tastings, talks and more than 50 exhibitors.
- 6–15 Nov | Les Automnales (Geneva) The city’s biggest annual autumn event in Palexpo is packed with activities! You can choose from a cooking competition, a wine fair, sports and dance events, an international cat show, a cycling event or even a major second-hand sale. Another classic for enjoying November in Geneva!
- 7 Nov | Foire de la Saint-André (Geneva) Scotland’s national day, St Andrew’s Day, gets its own local celebration at Salle des Délices in Grand-Saconnex, featuring traditional Scottish music, dancing and food.
- 7 Nov | Fête de la Saint-Martin de Peissy (Geneva) Six wineries in Peissy, Satigny, are joining forces to host this celebration, with tastings, cellar visits, food and fireworks to round off the day. One of the most traditional events of November in Geneva!
🍇 To discover more about Geneva’s vineyards and wines, read: 10 Wineries in Geneva to Visit All Year Round
- 13–15 Nov | Féeries des Penthes (Geneva) For three days, Domaine des Penthes, in Pregny-Chambésy, transforms into a magical forest, with live music and performances, activities for kids and food stalls.
- 14 Nov–3 Jan | Le Château du Père Noël (Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France) One of the region’s most stunning castles transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland, with lights, candles, enchanting aromas, festive decorations and plenty of activities for the whole family!
- 19 Nov–24 Dec | Noël au Quai (Geneva) Geneva’s biggest Christmas market returns to Quai du Mont-Blanc, with food stalls, handcrafted gifts, the traditional fondue chalet and a lively bar near the lake!
- 20-21 Nov | BioSaveurs (Lausanne) Discover Swiss organic, biodynamic and natural wines at this fair, bringing together 40 wine producers from across the country. Gourmet products, tastings, workshops and a grand Tavolata featuring the event’s finest wines round out the programme.
- 21 Nov | La Nuit des Chocottes (Divonne-les-Bains, France)
A fan of haunted houses, dark rides and a good scare? Then check out La Nuit des Chocottes, a spooky event featuring three trails at the local hippodrome, with three levels of fright. Expect spooky decorations, activities, a few surprises and food trucks to refuel between scares. - Until 3 Jan | Le Hameau du Père Noël (Saint-Blaise, France)
Want to peek inside Santa’s house and explore his hamlet? Head to Col du Mont Sion, in Saint-Blaise, between Geneva and Annecy, to discover his day-to-day life in this immersive Christmas experience.
Spotted something you like? Make sure to mark your calendars!
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