Throughout the month of December, the Annecy Mountains burst into life with a multitude of festive events. That Christmas magic has arrived!
© Pierrick Aubert /
© Pierrick Aubert
This year, once again, the streets will be brought to life with a fabulous programme in the Aravis resorts from 23rd December to 5th January. The essential Pestacles du Père Noël festival will transform the streets of La Clusaz into a larger-than-life artistic stage that will take you back to childhood. It’s Christmastime in Le Grand-Bornand! Every day, shows, traditional merry-go-rounds, wooden toys and delicious food await delighted children and adults on the village square. On the evening of 23rd December, come and join our Christmas party in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. In Manigod, see you at the Merdassier pass on 24th December at 3pm to see Father Christmas and enjoy activities galore.
All of this entertainment is free. So even if you’re not spending your Christmas holiday in the resorts, don’t hesitate to come up here for a day out to get a taste of the magic of Christmas in the mountains!
© OT Thônes Coeur des Vallées
© OT Thônes Coeur des Vallées
On the road to the Aravis resorts, Thônes is taking its traditional Christmas market into a whole new dimension. This year, visit the Christmas Guinguette. For 3 weekends between 15th and 31st December, at the Espace Coeur des Vallées and the Pré de Foire, you’ll find a market selling local produce and craft items, as well as a festive food court where you can dine to the sound of music. Surprise entertainment, workshops, snacks, shows and many more joyful moments. Check out the programme!
Soak up the Christmas magic in the heart of Annecy. The Noël des Alpes festival brings a host of activities and entertainment to the city’s historic heart, not forgetting the craft and food chalets. You can also enjoy a delightful stroll to see all that’s going on at each of the neighbourhood Christmas markets, in Seynod, Meythet, Cran-Gevrier, Pringy and Annecy-le-Vieux.
More specific events will also take place during December in various places, including:
– Christmas market at the Palace de Menthon on 1st, 2nd & 3rd December;
– Noël Gaulois in Vieugy on 8th, 9th & 10th December;
– festivities in Duingt on 9th December,
– Creators’ market in Talloires-Montmin on 9th December;
– living nativity scene in Seynod on 16th December;
– Creators’ Christmas market at the Impérial Palace on 15th, 16th & 17th December.
At the Sources of Lake Annecy, do your Christmas shopping at the creators’ and artisans’ market in Doussard on 3rd December. Make the most of the children’s entertainment and warm up wth a delicious mulled wine or hot chocolate. The magic continues in Faverges on 15th, 16th & 17th December, at the little village of Christmas chalets. In a very festive atmosphere with workshops and activities for every member of the family, a whole colourful programme awaits you.
A little further away from the banks of Lake Annecy, you can visit the small medieval village of Alby-sur-Chéran. Here, throughout the month of December, a façade or window opens up every day, like a life-sized advent calendar. An original way to celebrate Christmas.
This year, you’re in for a surprise when you go Christmas shopping at Les Nouvelles Galeries. Beginning with the giant Maneki-Neko standing 5 metres tall on the roof. This famous Japanese good-luck cat sets the scene for the Christmas and New Year holidays at Les Nouvelles Galeries. From 6th to 24th December, an unprecedented programme invites all to sign up, free of charge, for a discovery trip through Japanese culture. Try your hand at calligraphy, kirigami or the tea ceremony, discover the art of ikebana, Japanese swordmanship or knife sharpening… Activities galore for Christmas in the Far East!
Merry Christmas everyone!
