What’s On in September 2016

The summer holidays have flown by so fast and it’s time to go back to our routines but don’t worry as there is still a great deal to do with children in this wonderful area during the autumn months.

Make the most of our events listings for the month of September and remember to keep checking our blog on a general basis as we will be updating this post with more events each week. Happy rentrée to all!

APPLE-PICKING:

Autumn is the season to go apple-picking with the kids, just find the closest farm to you and bring a sturdy bag. Make sure you check with them when picking starts, as it may be more towards the end of September/beginning of October.

Some farms will let you pick pears and plums too — such a great alternative to supermarket shopping!

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Public libraries in Geneva, Carouge and Lausanne offer many activities for children of all ages, including workshops, story-times (usually in French but many times in other languages too) and puppet shows.  The bibliothèques in Geneva, Lausanne and neighbouring communes hold too many kids events each month to list them all here so here’s some links you can check regularly:

Geneva public libraries events & activities

Carouge public libraries events & activities

Lausanne public libraries events & activities

The newly-refurbished Bibliothèque de la Cité in ‪Geneva‬ (Place des Trois-Perdrix 5) reopened last year after extensive renovation work — here’s what the kids corner looks like now, isn’t it fab?

 

TOY LIBRARIES

On those gray, drizzly autumn days when nothing seems to placate your little buttons, remember you can visit your local ludothèques for free play and some light relief.

Find out more about toy libraries that allow free play for kids in our previous post.

 

SEPTEMBER 2016 LISTINGS:

• Friday 2nd September 2016: Art Jamming, organized by Life of Art at La Fabrique bistrot in Geneva. But what is Art Jamming exactly? It’s a new way to get creative whilst socializing and making new friends! Art jamming is all about creating art in a fun environment, with great music to inspire you and drinks at hand. In a group of about 10 people, our in house artist/teacher will create a painting in front of you, guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow at the same time on your own canvas. So even if you are a beginner you can still join in the fun. It’s a 2 hour workshop where all materials are supplied and you get to take home your canvas. Meet and greet at the Bistrot La Fabrique, just opposite the Life of Art studio, at 18:00. For more information and to reserve a place contact Lisa Anderson at Life of Art on +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch

 

• 2nd-4th September 2016: “Le livre sur le quai” book festival in Morges (VD) will offer a programme jam-packed with great authors like Paula Hawkins, Tom Cooper and Albertine, kids activities, workshops, story-times and a dedicated section for English-speaking writers. The festival’s English programme will include author talks as well as writing workshops for adults and teenagers. Free entry, see the official website for full programme details.

 

• 2nd-17th September 2016: La Bâtie – Festival de Genève, an unmissable line-up of fantastic concerts, theatre & dance shows, workshops, exhibitions and much more. There will be shows and workshops for kids too. Visit the festival’s official website for full programme details and to book your tickets.

 

• Saturday 3rd September 2016: Fête au village: course de caisse à savon in Commugny (VD). A lovely village festival boasting a super-fun mini car race! The mini cars must be built from small wooden crates, find more info and photos here.

 

• Saturday 3rd September 2016: 30 ans de la bibliothèque in Gland (VD). From 9am until 12.30pm there will be fun activities for children, face painting, story times in French, English and German and much more! Click here to download the full programme and address. FREE ENTRY.

 

• 3rd-4th September 2016: 25e anniversaire de la piscine de Varembé in Geneva. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Varembé swimming pool in Geneva. The day’s programme will include bouncy castles (in the water!), fun water games and DJ sets in the evening. The event will take place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of September from 9am until 7pm (evening DJ sets on Saturday from 8pm until 11pm). FREE ENTRY. The full programme is available online, so make sure you save the date!

 

• 3rd-4th September 2016: La ville est à vous in Europe (GE), with its great street parties, second-hand sales and activities for children. Take a look at the official website for all upcoming weekends and join in, because the city belongs to you! Here’s the list of all the upcoming street parties in Geneva: 10th-11th September: Jonction; 17th-18th September: Petit-Sacconex; 23rd, 24th & 25th September: Pâquis; 1st-2nd October: Genêts. 

 

• Sunday 4th September 2016: “Cap sur l’Océanie avec Tohu Wa Bohu” story-time songs and music for children at Geneva’s MEG museum (in French). Suitable for toddlers from age 2, the first session will take place from 4pm to 4.45pm in the museum’s foyer, and the second one from 5pm until 5.45pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

• Sunday 4th September 2016: Free entry to all museums and exhibitions in Geneva, a special initiative organized by the city of Geneva offering free access to permanent and temporary exhibitions on the first Sunday of every month.

 

• Sunday 4th September 2016: enjoy a unique tour of the city on the Geneva Historical Trams leaving from the Rive tram stop. A great way to see the city with young children — they will love riding the old city trams! During the summer, on the first Sunday of every month these “Trams touristiques” will be circulating from Carouge to Nations, Gare Cornavin, Eaux-Vives and the city centre. Tickets for a single ride are 8CHF and 12CHF for a day pass, children aged 6 to 16 pay a reduced fee.

 

• Sunday 4th September 2016: Foire de Borex (VD) from 8am until 6pm. You will find superb food stalls, serving up wood-fired pizza, fish, BBQ and a lot more. Children will have their own 5,000 m2 area with various bouncy castles, perfect for kids of different ages. Parents can enjoy the vide grenier, wine bar and Guggenmusik! FREE ENTRY.

 

• Sunday 4th September 2016: Paddle for Cancer Dragonboat Festival on the shores of the Lac de Joux in l’Abbaye, Switzerland. The ESCA Paddle for Cancer dragonboat festival is the annual cancer awareness raising and fundraising event organised by the English Speaking Cancer Association (ESCA)  in Geneva. As well as the boat race itself, the festival offers activities for children including bouncy castles and face-painting, food stalls and charity auctions.

 

• Wednesday 7th September 2016: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.

 

• Thursday 8th September 2016: Jeûne genevois, bank holiday in Canton Geneva. Shops, offices and schools will be closed!

 

• 8 September; 19 September; 19 October; 26 October 2016: Atelier Petit Fermier at the Parc Pré Vert du Signal de Bougy (VD). A great workshop for little ones, where they will learn to feed the small farm animals and collect fresh eggs! FREE ENTRY, advance booking required at 058 568 31 50.

 

• 10th-11th September 2016: Journées européennes du patrimoine 2016 in Geneva, Vaud and the rest of French-Speaking Switzerland. You can download the full programme here.

 

• 10th-11th September 2016: La ville est à vous in Jonction (GE), with its great street parties, second-hand sales and activities for children. Take a look at the official website for all upcoming weekends and join in, because the city belongs to you! Here’s the list of all the upcoming street parties in Geneva: 17th-18th September: Petit-Sacconex; 23rd, 24th & 25th September: Pâquis; 1st-2nd October: Genêts. 

 

• Sunday 11th September 2016: “Les trois plumes d’or” – Lecture d’un conte, free story-time for little ones aged 4+ at Signal de Bougy (VD), with 3 different sessions starting at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary. The show will take place at the amphitheatre or at the Salle Mont-sur-Rolle in case of rain.

 

• Sunday 11th September 2016: Fête des Tomates-Urbaines et marché d’automne a lovely farmers’ market showcasing vintage seeds, tomatoes and historic produce as well as offering a number of exciting family activities, including a petting farm, treasure hunts and workshops. This autumn market will be taking place at the Parc aux animaux in Sauvabelin, Lausanne from 9am to 5pm. Free entry, click here to see the full programme.

 

• Tuesday 13th September 2016: Inauguration officielle de la ludothèque du Petit-Sacconex in Geneva (Chemin des Genêts 14). Visit the newly refurbished toy library from 5pm to 6.30pm, and stay for the Games Evening if you can!

 

• Wednesday 14th September 2016: “Au coeur de la forêt avec Tohu Wa Bohu” discover the new Amazon river exhibition at Geneva’s MEG museum with fun activities, songs and music for children (in French). Suitable for toddlers from age 2, the session will take place from 4pm to 4.45pm in the museum’s foyer. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets to the exhibition cost between 7 and 10 CHF per person.

 

 

• Wednesday 14th September 2016: “DES RENNES À GENÈVE”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.

 

• Wednesday 14th September 2016: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.

 

• 15th-25th September 2016: La Semaine du Goût opens its doors across Switzerland with plenty of delicious events focused on food, healthy eating and regional specialties. The number of events and workshops is amazing and too big to list here, so take a peek at their official website to find what’s going on in the area closer to you. Child-friendly activities include workshops and cookery courses , museum workshops and more.

 

• Friday 16th September 2016: Art Jamming, organized by Life of Art at La Fabrique bistrot in Geneva. But what is Art Jamming exactly? It’s a new way to get creative whilst socializing and making new friends! Art jamming is all about creating art in a fun environment, with great music to inspire you and drinks at hand. In a group of about 10 people, our in house artist/teacher will create a painting in front of you, guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow at the same time on your own canvas. So even if you are a beginner you can still join in the fun. It’s a 2 hour workshop where all materials are supplied and you get to take home your canvas. Meet and greet at the Bistrot La Fabrique, just opposite the Life of Art studio, at 18:00. For more information and to reserve a place contact Lisa Anderson at Life of Art on +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch

 

• 16th-18th September 2016: Geneva Street Food Festival at the Promenade Saint-Antoine. A sensory delight for all expat foodies who just can’t wait to tuck into some juicy burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza al taglio and other mouth-watering treats. Guests will include Brooklyn Kitchen; Sergent Garcia; Foound, Street Kitchen Lausanne, Funky BBQ, Birdie Food & CoffeeStreet Gourmet; Nero’s Pizza; The Hamburger Foundation and many more. The festival will be open from 5pm until midnight on Friday; 11am until midnight on Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sunday. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Saturday 17th September 2016: Les Ateliers en Fête, a fantastic free event running from 3pm to 10pm on Rue du Léman and Place de la Navigation in Geneva (Pâquis). Organized by Les CréAteliers, the event will offer free trial sessions on a variety of crafts including calligraphy, jewellery making, engraving and much more. There will be food stalls and free live concerts from 7pm.

 

• 17th-18th September 2016: Fête des vendanges in Russins (Geneva). One of the area’s most famous autumn festivals now in its 54th edition, celebrating grape-harvest season with exciting activities for the whole family: from pony rides for the little ones to free tastings of local wines for mum & dad. Don’t miss the fête des enfants on Saturday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Free entry with some activities that require an entry fee, see the official website for full programme details.

 

• 17th-18th September 2016: La ville est à vous in Petit-Sacconex (GE), with its great street parties, second-hand sales and activities for children. Take a look at the official website for all upcoming weekends and join in, because the city belongs to you! Here’s the list of all the upcoming street parties in Geneva: 23rd, 24th & 25th September: Pâquis; 1st-2nd October: Genêts.

 

• 17th-18th September 2016: Féeries de Joux festival, a unique & magical way to discover the natural scenery of the beautiful Vallée de Joux. Discover the world of forest gnomes & fairies, take part in the exploratory walks, story-times and brunch. See the official website for full details.

 

• Sunday 18th September 2016: the Communauté de communes du Pays de Gex fête ses 20 ans at the Parc des Cèdres in Gex (France). From 2pm until 6pm there will be puppet shows for little ones, story times, archery, live music, fun games and much more! FREE ENTRY.

 

• Monday 19th September 2016: Lundi du Jeûne fédéral, bank holiday in Canton Vaud. Shops, offices and schools will be closed!

 

• Wednesday 21st September 2016: “BOÎTE À HISTOIRES”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.

 

• Wednesday 21st September 2016: Le MAH à tout petits pas – Mercredi Family pour les tout-petits free guided tours for children aged 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva starting at 10.30am and 3.30pm. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.

 

• Wednesday 21st September 2016: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.

 

• Wednesday 21st September 2016: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm (on Saturday 24th of September the centre will also be open in the morning from 9.30am until midday). Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.

 

• Wednesday 21st September 2016: from 9.30am to 10.30am, “Sonnez les matines” songs in French for young children at the Bibliothèque Aux Mille Feuille in Gland (38 grand rue). FREE ENTRY.

 

• 22nd-25th September 2016: “Mozart, et ta soeur?”, a musical theatre show in French suitable from age 10 at the Casino Théâtre de Rolle (VD). The show tells the story of Mozart and his equally talented sister Nannerl. Tickets are 28 CHF for adults and 17 CHF for children.

 

• 23rd, 24th & 25th September 2016: La ville est à vous in Pâquis (GE), with its great street parties, second-hand sales and activities for children. Take a look at the official website for all upcoming weekends and join in, because the city belongs to you! Here’s the list of all the upcoming street parties in Geneva: 1st-2nd October: Genêts.

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: 20 ans Hôpiclowns, join in the celebrations for Hôpiclowns’ 20th anniversary at the Bains des Pâquis in Geneva! This great association has been providing hospitalized children with improvised comedy shows as well as clown visits during their hospital stay. If you’d like to support the great work they are doing, join in their 20th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 24th September from 5pm until 11pm at the Bains des Pâquis. The day’s programme will include clown shows, live music and DJ sets. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: “Coccibelle a perdu ses points”, concert suitable for little ones aged 1 to 4 at the Cave Marignac in Grand-Lancy (av. Eugène-Lance 28). This delightful concert tells the story of a little ladybird who’s always in a hurry and one day happens to lose her black dots, which one of her garden friends will help her find them? Tickets are only 5CHF per person and can be purchased before the show starts. There will be 3 performances on the day: the first at 10am, the second at 11am and the last one at 4pm. Place are limited so advance booking is highly recommended. You can reserve your seats at info@concertsdelancy.ch or call 022 757 1563.

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: Alternatiba Festival in Plainpalais, Geneva. Download the full programme because there is so much going on, it would be impossible to list everything here! Join discussions and activities on climate change and sustainable development, as well as fun workshops for kids, story times at the parc Gourgas and in the gardens of the Villa Freundler, fun family games and much more. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the morning from 9.30am until midday and in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: Nuit des épouvantails in Morges (VD). For all the little monsters in our household Halloween can never come soon enough. Imagine our delight then when I read about the 11th Nuit des épouvantails (Night of the Scarecrows), which will be taking place in Morges on Saturday 24th September 2016. Legend has it that back in 1387, the scarecrows from the countryside around Morges came to life and started terrorising the wine-growing families in the region, thus preventing them from picking the grapes which were ripe for harvest. The villagers were only able to break the evil spell when they managed to set fire to the king of the scarecrows. If you’d like to take a look at the full programme, please click here: as you can see it will be a fun (or rather fear…?) packed day, starting in the morning with a village market, followed by the wine-makers parade at 5.15pm, scary story-telling and fireworks from 8.30pm. Last but not least: remember to dress up in your scariest costumes !

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: Désalpe in St-Cergue. A major celebration that marks the end of the Alpine summer pasture season. The parade of countless carefully decorated cattle highlights the breeders’ great passion for their animals. Cows, goats and pigs walk through the village all day long to the sound of bells and alphorns. Read all about last year’s edition in our previous post! FREE ENTRY.

 

 

• Saturday 24th September 2016: Désalpe in Charmey, Canton Fribourg. During September and October, “Désalpe” is the best-known of all traditional mountain festivities. After more than four months of grazing in alpine pastures, cows make their way down to the plain. You will see the “armaillis” dressed in “bredzons” and their ladies in “dzaquillons”. As for the cows, thundering bells will be hanging from their necks and brightly couloured flowers on their heads. There will be a parade, traditional music and a market with local products among other things. The main “Désalpes” of the region take place in Semsales, Charmey, Schwarzsee and Albeuve.

 

• 24th-25th September 2016: “Les Pâquis sont à la Rue“, a family-friendly event packed with great activities, including kids workshops, live concerts, fun yoga, toy library games, giant wooden games, donkey rides and much more! The workshops and activities will run from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th, concerts will carry on later in the day and evening. FREE ENTRY. “Les Pâquis sont à la Rue” – Rue de Berne 49, 1201 Genève.

 

• 24th September 2016-17th March 2017: Dinosaures, a brand new dinosaur exhibition at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle in Geneva will see its grand opening on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of September. From 10am until 5pm there will be plenty of fun activities for the kids to enjoy, including fun dinosaur workshops, guided tours and special visits from a giant T-REX! Click here to download the full programme. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Sunday 25th September 2016: BRUNCH GÉANT SUR LE PONT DU MONT-BLANC, part of the car-free activities taking place in Geneva this weekend. The Mont Blanc bridge will be closed to traffic, ready to host tables and food trucks for the largest Sunday brunch you have ever seen! Bring your own picnic or buy your food from the gourmet trucks, other fun activities will include live concerts, games for children, free bike rentals, urban training and much more. FREE ENTRY, the event will run from 10am until 4pm.

 

• Sunday 25th September 2016: Les Puces de Nyon, very scenic flea market in the pretty lakeside town of Nyon (VD). Grab a fab bargain or a delicious Italian ice-cream!

 

• Sunday 25th September 2016: Déjeuner sur l’herbe et marché à l’ancienne at Prangins Castle (VD) from 10am to 5pm. FREE ENTRY. A fantastic family event in 18th century costumes, inspired by the castle’s long history: you’ll be able to meet the Baron and his family, kick back and enjoy some live music in the castle’s beautiful gardens and also purchase local produce at the old-style market stalls. Read all about last year’s edition here.

 

• Sunday 25th September 2016: The Colour Run, a colourful charity event in support various charities of Switzerland. Join in this fun 5km run where you will be sprayed with naturally-coloured powders! More info on http://thecolorrun.ch/

 

• until 25th September 2016: Destination Rio at the Olympic Museum in Ouchy (Lausanne). The Olympic Museum celebrates Rio 2016 with a programme dedicated to the culture of Brazil and Rio, host of the upcoming Olympic Games. This exhibition-adventure takes you on a lyrical tour of the city, which will give you the irresistible urge to dance. The photos, the choice of music and the artwork will convey the incredible energy of the Brazilian people. The programme will kick off during the Carnival in Rio and culminate with the two weeks of the Games in the summer. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Wednesday 28th September 2016: “LE MYSTÈRE DES HIÉROGLYPHES“, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 to 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.

 

• Wednesday 28th September 2016: Les mercredis à la Villa Freundler, free Wednesday activities for children at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). Activities include games, creative workshops, sports and they will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary, children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.

 

• Wednesday 28th September 2016: Jours d’ouverture aux familles at the Maison de la Créativité in Conches (7, chemin Calandrini). These family activities will take place in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.

 

• Friday 30th September 2016: Art Jamming, organized by Life of Art at La Fabrique bistrot in Geneva. But what is Art Jamming exactly? It’s a new way to get creative whilst socializing and making new friends! Art jamming is all about creating art in a fun environment, with great music to inspire you and drinks at hand. In a group of about 10 people, our in house artist/teacher will create a painting in front of you, guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow at the same time on your own canvas. So even if you are a beginner you can still join in the fun. It’s a 2 hour workshop where all materials are supplied and you get to take home your canvas. Meet and greet at the Bistrot La Fabrique, just opposite the Life of Art studio, at 18:00. For more information and to reserve a place contact Lisa Anderson at Life of Art on +41 22 525 5232 or by email at info@life-of-art.ch

 

• until end of September 2016: the Musée Départemental des Sapeurs-Pompiers in Gex (France) re-opens this Saturday from 9am to midday and then from 2pm to 6pm in the afternoon. The museum is open every Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm until the 26th of September, as well as every Wednesday and Sunday in July and August from 2pm to 6pm. Entry tickets are 5 € for adults and 3 € for kids. Musée Départemental des Sapeurs-Pompiers – 380 avenue des Alpes – 01170 Gex – FRANCE (Tel : 04 50 20 86 97).

 

• until 1st October 2016: “L’eau enjeux”, an interactive and child-friendly water-themed exhibition at the Berges de Vessy (GE). Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm. FREE ENTRY, check the official website for booking times.

 

• Saturday 1st October 2016: Le rallye du chocolate, a great event for all chocolate lovers. Collect your chocolate passport at 9am from the DS Store in Les Acacias, then proceed to meet the 12 artisan chocolatiers taking part in this gastronomic rally! You must register before the 30th of September 2016, find full details of the event on their official webpage.

 

• Saturday 1st October 2016: Day4life in Rolle (VD). Give your support to the upcoming Day4Life event on Saturday 1st of October in Rolle. This event is organized by Zoé4life, a Swiss charity whose mission is to support cancer research, provide financial support to families in need, support kids during their cancer treatments and raise awareness about childhood cancer. Take part in the CHALLENGE DE ZOÉ or make the most of the VILLAGE DE ZOÉ, where children will be able to take part in fun activities, Zumba sessions, cupcake decorating workshops, maxi bingo and much more! FREE ENTRY, but all donations gratefully accepted. The event will run from 11.30am until 10pm around Rolle castle.

 

• 1st-2nd October 2016: “La rue du Jeux” in Plan-les-Ouates. This great family event will take place at the Mail 2000 and the Espace Vélodrome from 1.30pm until 1am on Saturday 1st and from 10am until 5pm on Sunday 2nd of October. The day’s programme will include fun workshops, live concerts, introduction to sabre laser, baby corner for ages 0 to 4, hip hop dance and much more! FREE ENTRY. In case of rain some activities and workshops will take place in the Salle de gym of the Espace Vélodrome.