The holiday season brings a unique atmosphere to Geneva. The streets light up, shop windows sparkle, and the scent of cinnamon and sugar fills the air. It’s that time of year when every corner invites you to wander and dream. Whether you’re looking for unique gifts, local food tastings, a meeting with Santa, or simply a family stroll to admire the lights and decorations, the Christmas markets are the perfect place to experience the magic of the season.
From the children’s yurt and wooden horses at Noël au Quai to the charming wooden cabins of the Vandœuvres market, and the artisanal treasures at the Fusterie, each market has its own unique charm, offering plenty of activities for the little ones! Get cozy with a cup of eggnog as the elves from Léman Events take you on a tour of some of the best Christmas markets in Geneva, both in the city and canton.
Noël au Quai
From November 21 to December 24, 2024, come and discover “Noël au Quai,” the most majestic Christmas market in Geneva. After its beginnings at Parc des Bastions and bringing its magic to the Jardin Anglais, it now lights up the Quai du Mont-Blanc. Find your Christmas gifts among a wide selection of local artisans, savor the specialties offered by food stands—including the authentic Geneva fondue from the famous Chalet à Fondue—and entertain your children with the vast range of activities. Highlights include:
– November 23 & 30 + December 7: Rides on the wooden Christmas horses
– November 23: Street performance “Le Cirque de Noël” by La Compagnie Soukha
– November 24 & 27: Bubbles Kids Club workshop for Christmas cards and ornaments
– November 27 & December 11: Musical awakening sessions
– November 27 + December 4 & 11: Pony rides with Blackyland.
Marché de Noël et sapin participatif
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Ô P’tit-Sac association invites you to the Petit-Saconnex square for its Christmas market. Enjoy drinks, food (raclette, hot dogs, crepes, soup), activities, concerts, and a raffle—and don’t miss Santa’s visit!
10:00 AM: Market opens
11:00 AM: Santa’s visit with a photobooth and treats
1:30 PM: “Lire et faire lire” reading workshop
3:00 PM: Trembley School choir
4:00 PM: DJ FM and Santa’s visit with photobooth and treats
5:00 PM: Rumba Rive concert
7:30 PM: Raffle with prizes like a night at the Hotel Continental, a gift voucher for Mama&Zita, or a gourmet basket from the Boulangerie des Genêts.
Marché de Noël de Vandœuvres
The Vandœuvres Christmas Market will take place on November 29th and 30th, 2024. The festivities will begin on Friday, November 29th, 2024, at 6:00 PM with entertainment around the Christmas tree and light refreshments. The market stalls will be open on Saturday only, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (stalls, children’s activities, light food).
FRIDAY
Catering by the Auberge de Vandœuvres (oysters, sausages, raclette)
Sweet crepe stand
6:30 PM: A bit of magic
7:00 PM: Party for 7-13 year olds
SATURDAY
1:30 PM: Mentalism and magic
4:30 PM and 5:30 PM: Christmas concerts
Christmas crafts area (ongoing).
Marché de Noël par et pour les enfants
Every year, in December, the Parc des Bastions transforms into a unique Christmas market dedicated to children and organized by them. Since 2007, this event has given primary school students the opportunity to give a second life to books, toys, and games they no longer use. The 2024 edition will take place on Saturday, December 11th. From 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the market will open its doors to the public, where everyone can come and find books, board games, dolls, building toys, and many other treasures at affordable prices. The Christmas Market by and for children takes place in a joyful atmosphere with many free activities: pony rides, face painting, light refreshments, and snacks for the children. A festive afternoon at Parc des Bastions!
Carouge magique
The Christmas lights return to Carouge, transforming the town into a sparkling gem of light and poetry. This year, deer and bears have joined the traditional illuminations for the first time. Come explore the charming streets of Carouge, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere, and elevate your holidays with the many shops open every Sunday in December. From December 13th to 15th, 2024, stroll through the Christmas market aisles to discover over 150 artisan exhibitors on St-Joseph Street, at the Temple Square, along the Market Square, and in front of the town hall. Throughout December, enjoy a rich program of activities organized by the Carouge libraries: creative workshops with discarded books, a storytelling and singing Advent calendar, a surprise selection of mystery books, and a children’s show. Additionally, the ice rink (from November 23rd, 2024, to March 2nd, 2025) will also be there to amaze you.
Marché de Noël de l’École Rudolf Steiner
On November 23, 2024, to light up your eyes and warm your hearts, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the Rudolf Steiner School Christmas market. Let yourself be charmed by the stalls filled with captivating scents and a puppet show. With handcrafted goods, lights, decorations, entertainment, food stands, and workshops for children run by the older students… the Rudolf Steiner School Christmas market is the perfect place to prepare your Christmas gifts, stroll in a friendly atmosphere, or simply treat yourself.
Marché de Noël de la Fusterie
The artisan creators of the Fusterie invite you to their Christmas market from December 9 to 24, 2024, during store hours (with a special evening event on December 23), at Place de la Fusterie. Among the many stalls, you’ll certainly find original and local creations to place under the tree! Please note that on December 11 and 14, the artisans will join the flea market at Plainpalais, so there will be no Christmas market at Place de la Fusterie on those two days.
Marché de Noël artisanal et associatif des Pâquis
On November 23 and 24, 2024, around fifteen associations will host a craft market featuring jewelry, decorations, accessories, clothing, teas, biscuits, sweets, and many other surprises at affordable prices. All the money raised helps these associations carry out projects in Switzerland and beyond, providing a festive moment with plenty of entertainment, and an opportunity to buy your end-of-year gifts while doing a good deed. Here’s the program of activities, free or with optional donations (selection):
SATURDAY
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Make small beaded bracelets
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: “The Return of Don Quixote,” performance by students of the Conservatoire Populaire
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Make Christmas crafts with wood, cardboard, or wool
SUNDAY
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Quiz about the associations: Come discover the associations while playing
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Make Christmas crafts with wood, cardboard, or wool
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Belly dance demonstration and workshop by Akhtar.
Throughout the market, enjoy refreshments including raclette, hot wine and apple juice, Christmas tea, soup, and many homemade treats.
For Christmas, our newsletter features a special section with over 30 festive activities for children: in addition to the many Christmas markets in Geneva, but also in Lausanne (Bô Noël, Happy Christmas Flon, among others) and Morges, there will be concerts, culinary and creative workshops, performances, family photo sessions, and of course our tips for meeting Santa Claus! Don’t forget to sign up to receive all our updates.
