Last updated: 11 November 2024
Discover the holiday festivities in Annecy with our complete winter celebration guide. Whether you're a regular visitor to the city or seeing it for the first time, we've gathered all the activities that bring the Venice of the Alps to life during this festive season.
The historic heart of Annecy transforms into a true Christmas village, with its traditional market on Rue Sainte-Claire and illuminations along the canals. The old town's arcades host local artisans, while the Pâquier welcomes an outdoor ice rink. The lakeside offers an enchanting walk, lined with decorations that reflect in the crystal-clear waters.
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Annecy Holiday Markets and Shopping
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard - Santa's Castle
- What to Expect
- Discover the reindeer park and market stands.
- Description
- The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard welcomes this year's Château de Noël, a festive event featuring various activities, market stands, guinguette, and entertainment for all ages.
- Where
- Menthon-Saint-Bernard | More Info : Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard - Santa's Castle
St Andrew's Fair
- What to Expect
- A 5.5 km long fair with 1100 vendors.
- Description
- The Saint-Andrew's Fair is a traditional autumn fair that attracts tens of thousands of bargain hunters. It offers a variety of products, local specialties, and a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : St Andrew's Fair
St Andrew's Carnival
- What to Expect
- A fair with impressive rides and dazzling lights.
- Description
- The Saint Andrew's Fair in Annecy is a traditional event that attracts both children and adults with its impressive rides, dazzling lights, and grilled praline scents.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : St Andrew's Carnival
Alpine Christmas
- What to Expect
- A beautiful lakeside market surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
- Description
- This festive event in Annecy showcases the charm of the Alps during the holiday season. Stalls filled with artisanal products, local delicacies, and handmade crafts create a vibrant atmosphere for visitors. Guests can stroll through the twinkling lights and enjoy live music performances that enhance the seasonal spirit in the picturesque setting of this lakeside town.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Alpine Christmas
Annecy Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Sound and Light Show
- What to Expect
- A nighttime show using synchronized lighting effects with a recorded soundtrack.
- Description
- The sound and light show is a nighttime presentation that tells the key moments of a place's history, using spectacular techniques such as image projection, lighting, and pyrotechnics.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Sound and Light Show
Living Nativity, Christmas Market and Concert
- What to Expect
- Living nativity scene with real animals and high-quality decorations.
- Description
- The Crèche vivante, Marché de Noël et Concert in Annecy features a gourmet and artisanal market with animations featuring Santa Claus. The living nativity scene is surrounded by real animals, children, singers, and narrators in high-quality decorations and costumes. An outdoor theatrical performance is also scheduled with three shows.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Living Nativity, Christmas Market and Concert
Archi'Christmas: Workshops and Shows
- What to Expect
- Creative workshops and theater and storytelling performances for all ages.
- Description
- Archi'Noël : ateliers et spectacles offers a variety of manual activities, games, and shows for all ages. The creative workshops and theater and storytelling performances are at the heart of this convivial Christmas celebration.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Archi'Christmas: Workshops and Shows
Christmas Concert with Vocal Mosaïque Group
- What to Expect
- A unique musical performance with traditional and modern songs.
- Description
- The Christmas Concert with the Vocal Mosaïque group is a festive musical performance where the group interprets traditional and modern songs to celebrate Christmas.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Christmas Concert with Vocal Mosaïque Group
Christmas Film Special
- What to Expect
- Discovery session of youth cinema for the whole family.
- Description
- Share a cinematic moment with your child at the library A book here, a short film there… Christmas stories come alive for the joy of ciné-filous Something for everyone to enjoy From 16:30 to 17:30, the program features a discovery session of youth cinema for the whole family, thanks to a thematic selection of short films around Christmas.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Christmas Film Special
The Little Girl Who Didn't Like Christmas Show
- What to Expect
- A poetic and musical show featuring a girl who doesn't like Christmas.
- Description
- Chocotte lives in a large house where she doesn't know all the rooms. She prepares traps every year to ruin Christmas for other children. One day, René Brocolis, a reindeer from Santa Claus, gets lost and accidentally enters the chimney of this large house. Afraid, René eventually meets Chocotte, who locks him up to sabotage Christmas even more.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : The Little Girl Who Didn't Like Christmas Show
Christmas Concert with Pro Musica Choir
- What to Expect
- Christmas concert featuring classical works and soloists.
- Description
- The Chœur Pro Musica of Annecy presents a Christmas concert with works by Camille Saint-Saëns and R.V. Williams, accompanied by an orchestra and soloists.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Christmas Concert with Pro Musica Choir
Christmas Concert with Artemisia Vocal Ensemble
- What to Expect
- Musical journey blending sacred and profane songs.
- Description
- The Artemisia choir invites you to a musical journey blending sacred, profane, and essential Christmas songs. A moment to immerse yourself in the festive spirit and appreciate the timeless beauty of these works.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Christmas Concert with Artemisia Vocal Ensemble
Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Celebration of animation throughout the year.
- Description
- The Hivernal Festival celebrates the best of animated cinema with screenings, premieres, and meetings with filmmakers.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Winter Festival
Annecy Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Workshops for Children
- What to Expect
- Fun and convivial workshops for children.
- Description
- The Christmas workshops for children offer fun and convivial activities to prepare for the holiday decorations. Children can create a Christmas wreath and decorate their own items.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Christmas Workshops for Children
Soups of the World
- What to Expect
- Discovery and exchange of soups in a warm atmosphere.
- Description
- Soupes du Monde is a convivial evening where you can share delicious and convivial moments with the residents of the Novel-Teppes neighborhood.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Soups of the World
Solidarity Christmas Meal
- What to Expect
- Rooms with designed terraces and mountain views.
- Description
- The Logis Hôtel Annecy Nord / Argonay offers spacious and renovated rooms, some with designed terraces. The restaurant serves traditional Savoyard cuisine with breathtaking mountain views.
- Where
- Annecy | More Info : Solidarity Christmas Meal