What’s On in June 2018

Summer is finally here & the countdown to the family holidays has begun. Here’s our monthly list of events in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France, filled as usual with exciting outings for the whole family. Remember to keep checking our blog as we will be updating this post with more events each week.

• Take a look at our previous post to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons.

• If it’s a scorcher, what about a scrumptious “brunch in the sun” with the family ?

• Now that the sun is out, take your little ones strawberry picking! Strawberry season is a few weeks late, due to the amount of rain we’ve endured so far, but these delicious fruits are now ready for the picking. Try La Fraisière in Meyrin; the farm at number 15 chemin de Pacoty in Founex; the Potager Verdonnet-Bouchet in Troinex (30 chemin de la Cantonnière); the Ferme Pré-De-Vers in Rolle; the Wyss Farm in Genolier or the Burdet family farm in Mathod.

 

• Genève-Plage (Quai de Cologny 5, Port-Noir) has re-opened for the summer. There’s no better place to be with your little swimmers on a hot, sunny day so make the most of the swimming-pools, water slides, sandpit and play area – don’t forget your sun cream! You can find out more about it & other lidos in our previous post.

• Want to know how to survive a rainy Sunday ? Find some ideas and suggestions here!
• Spring is a fantastic time to explore Switzerland and its picturesque villages. Read our previous post for suggestions about great days out with the kids
• If you’re planning a holiday or a short break, here’s some places our little ones have loved: Papiliorama in Kerzers (CH); Ballenberg Open Air Museum (CH); Bern (CH); Thun (CH); Pérouges (France); Lyon (France); Versailles (France); Dijon (France); Aosta (Italy); LEGOLAND in Windsor (UK); Antalya (Turkey) and many more charming places to see in Switzerland.
• When the sun is out, why not take the boat across the lake to visit the medieval village of Yvoire in nearby France?
• A bit further away but definitely worth a visit is the French village of Pérouges, it’s a great family day out!

LUDOBUS

The toy library buses called LUDOBUS are back in Geneva! From the 8th of May until the end of summer the red and blue ludobus will be travelling to different parks in Geneva to keep the little ones entertained in the afternoon from 4pm to 6.30pm (from 5.30pm to 7pm during the summer holidays). FREE ENTRY, activities are free for children.

You can click here to download the  exact dates and locations for both ludobus covering Servette; St-Jean; Petit-Saconnex; Plainpalais; Jonction; Acacias; Pâquis; Grottes; St-Gervais; Eaux-Vives; Champel and Cité.

Geneva Botanical Gardens

Just a quick reminder about the iconic Carrousel des fables at the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques in Geneva: it’s a great activity for the little ones on a sunny day, to be coupled with a visit to the free mini zoo and the park’s playground! And when the little munchkins get a bit peckish, you can grab something delicious at Le Pyramus restaurant, located right next to the playground.

 

LAKE BEACHES, LIDOS & POOLS Find out more about our favourites lake beaches; lidos and pools in the Geneva region and Vaud. If it’s a real scorcher, why not take the kids to the Parc de l’Auberge in Meyrin, with its fantastic water jets and tipping buckets?

 

SUMMER FESTIVALS French-speaking Switzerland comes alive during the summer months with a profusion of great music festivals. From the international pop stars who will be performing at the Caribana Festival and Paléo, to the free concerts of the Fête de la musique in Geneva, Nyon and Lausanne – this is the time to let your hair down and shake what your mama gave you!

 

JUNE 2018 EVENTS:

• 5th-9th June 2018: Caribana Festival in Crans-sur-Nyon (Canton Vaud). This is one of Switzerland’s finest music festivals, boasting international stars such as Passenger, Simple Minds, Petit Biscuit and The Script in this year’s edition alone. Check tickets availability online as they are selling out fast!

 

• 6th-16th June 2018: Festival Tôt ou t’Arts Pays de Gex (France), a great festival for the whole family dedicated to street theatre. The programme is filled with many exciting performances: puppetry, balancing acts in 70s costumes, pyrotechnics, “fanfare recycl’art” and much more. Visit the official website for full details of all performances in Gex, Fort l’Ecluse, Peron, Divonnes-les-Bains, Versonnex and Ferney Voltaire.

 

• 8th-10th June 2018: Geneva Street Food Festival, don’t miss it!

 

• 8th-10th June 2018: Bol d’Or Mirabaud, Geneva’s famous yachting festival, which takes place in June every year since 1939 when 26 competitors took part in the first Bol d’Or, sailing 123 km from Geneva to Le Bouveret and back. Today, there are over 600 sailing boats taking part, attracting competitive crews from around the world. Visit the official website for full programme details. A really amazing race to watch from the lake shore, the children will enjoy it too!

 

• 8th-10th June 2018: Festival Mondial de la Terre in Montbenon, Lausanne. A festival committed to the preservation and celebration of our planet’s biodiversity. All the food available at the festival is from organic farms; all infrastructure is from renewable, recycled and FSC certified sources – and every effort is made to preserve water & energy. The festival is free of charge and offers some great activities for the whole family, from the animations enfants to yoga for children and the “Parents-bébés” area where local midwives will be on hand to provide advice and give practical demonstrations. Click here for full details on the day-to-day programme, which includes live concerts, screenings, as well as thai chi & meditation taster sessions.

 

• 8th-10th June 2018: Fête de l’oiseau in Gex (France), a fantastic medieval festival the whole family will enjoy. FREE ENTRY. From Friday 8th until Sunday 10th of June in the late afternoon, there will be medieval parades, archery tournaments, live music and fireworks. Click here for more info and to download the full programme.

 

• Saturday 9th June 2018: Atelier Pizza, from 10.45am to 11.30am at Signal de Bougy. For ages 5 to 12, let your little ones learn the ropes of authentic pizza making with a professional pizzaiolo, they will also be able to eat up their yummy creations once they’re cooked. The workshop costs 20CHF per child, places must be reserved at signal.bougy@gmvd.migros.ch or +41 58 568 31 50.

 

• 9th-10th June 2018, Aubépine: La ville est à vous returns for its 14th edition, kicking off in Philosophes with 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: 16th-17th June, Saint-Jean; 1st-2nd September, Geisendorf; 8th-9th September, Europe; 15th-16th September, Petit-Saconnex; 29th-30th September, Pâquis; 6th-7th October, Eaux-Vives. 

 

• 9th-10th June 2018: “Festival de marionnettes du Pays-de-Gex à Fort L’Ecluse“, a puppet-show festival for children in nearby France. With so many shows planned, your little ones will be spoilt for choice. The setting in the medieval castle of Fort L’Ecluse will make it even more magical for the children, tickets can only be purchased on site. Visit the official website for full programme details.

 

• Sunday 10th June 2018: Brunch du Signal at the Parc Pré Vert Signal de Bougy (VD). Brunch open from 9.30am until 1pm in the main restaurant. Parc Pré Vert is a fab place for a family day-out, find out more about it in our previous post here! Prices for the family brunch are 35CHF per adult and 2CHF per year of age for children up to the age of 14. Call reservations on 058 568 31 50 or email info@signaldebougy.ch

 

• until 10th June 2018: Festival Poussière du Monde, puppet shows, world music and dance under two giant Mongolian yourtes at the Parc Bernasconi in Grand-Lancy. Check their official website for full details of their kids shows. Tickets are 25CHF for adults and 10CHF for children aged 12 and older, places are limited so advance booking is highly recommended.

 

• Wednesday 13th June 2018: 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 5.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 13th June 2018: 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.

 

• 14th-27th June 2018: Play Me, I’m Yours a contemporary installation by British artist Luke Jerram will see 53 pianos placed on the streets of Geneva, Bellevue, Carouge, Chêne-Bougeries, Chêne-Bourg, Collonge-Bellerive, Cologny, Confignon, Divonne (France), Lancy, Le Grand-Saconnex, Meyrin, Nyon (VD), Onex, Perly-Certoux, Plan-les-Ouates, Pregny-Chambésy, Thônex, Vernier and Versoix. The pianos will be available for everyone to play and familiarize themselves with. What an amazing way to see our city with different eyes…and ears!

 

• Friday 15th June 2018: Rencontres jeunes mamans et papas à la Villa Freundler, free Friday sessions for young parents and their babies/toddlers at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). A chance to meet other young parents, make new friends, chat over a cup of tea and take part in parenting workshops (in French), every Friday from 3pm to 5pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• 16th-17th June 2018, Saint-Jean: La ville est à vous returns for its 14th edition, kicking off in Philosophes with 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 September, Geisendorf; 8th-9th September, Europe; 15th-16th September, Petit-Saconnex; 29th-30th September, Pâquis; 6th-7th October, Eaux-Vives. 

 

• until 18th June 2018: the Café des Jardins at the iris Gardens in Vullierens (VD) re-opens for the season and they will be offering their delicious Sunday brunches on Sundays and Bank Holidays, with the first seating at 10.30am and the second one at 1pm. The menu includes sweet & savoury dishes as well as a selection from their BBQ. The price is 55CHF per person and 25CHF for children aged 4 to 12, drinks and entry to the gardens are not included in the price – bookings must be made well in advance at 079 844 68 60 or cafe@jardindesiris.ch. Find out more about these beautiful iris gardens in our previous post and check their official website for their upcoming spring Sunday brunches.

 

• Wednesday 20th June 2018: 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 5.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 20th June 2018: 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.

 

• Friday 22nd June 2018: Rencontres jeunes mamans et papas à la Villa Freundler, free Friday sessions for young parents and their babies/toddlers at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). A chance to meet other young parents, make new friends, chat over a cup of tea and take part in parenting workshops (in French), every Friday from 3pm to 5pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• 22nd-24th June 2018: Fête de la musique in Geneva, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy free concerts in some of the city’s most beautiful spots. All musical genres will be represented, from classical to reggae, jazz and rock – there are so many events that we can’t possibly list them all here so visit the official website for full programme details. Children will also be catered to with a number of great workshops, concerts and shows devised just for them, here’s the link to the kids’ programme, don’t miss it!

 

• Saturday 23rd of June 2018: Fête de la musique in Nyon (VD). Enjoy this fantastic line-up of free concerts, covering all music genres from jazz to traditional African music and punk. Click here to see the full programme.

• 23rd-24th June 2018: Diabolo Festival at the Esplanade and Théâtre de Beausobre in Morges (VD). A fantastic festival for kids aged 2 to 10 with songs, circus shows, introduction to astronomy sessions and much more. Click here for programme details and ticket prices. Free entry for children under the age of 2.

 

• Wednesday 27th June 2018: 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 5.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 27th June 2018: 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.

 

• Friday 29th June 2018: Rencontres jeunes mamans et papas à la Villa Freundler, free Friday sessions for young parents and their babies/toddlers at the Villa Freundler in Plainpalais (Place de Saint-François 4). A chance to meet other young parents, make new friends, chat over a cup of tea and take part in parenting workshops (in French), every Friday from 3pm to 5pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• 29th June-1st July 2018: Street Food Festival Nyon on the Quai de Rive, Espace couvert and parking de Rive. FREE ENTRY. Click here for the full programme.

 

ONGOING:

• until 1st July 2018: “Ma petite histoire de l’art” a great new art exhibition suitable for ages 4 to 10 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.

 

• until 15th July 2018: “T’es sûr-e ?”, a fantastic new exhibition suitable from age 7 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne (Vallée de la Jeunesse 1). The exhibition will teach and amuse your little ones with fun science experiments. Alongside the exhibition there will also be a series of fun workshops for ages 7 to 12 called “Le Club des petits inventeurs”, from 2pm to 5pm on selected days. Click here to download the list of activities. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are 7 CHF for adults and 5CHF for children. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month.

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• until end of September 2018: 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 7th October 2018: La ville est à vous returns for its 14th edition, kicking off in Philosophes with 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: 26th-27th May, Genêts; 2nd-3rd June, Sécheron; 9th-10th June, Aubépine; 16th-17th June, Saint-Jean; 1st-2nd September, Geisendorf; 8th-9th September, Europe; 15th-16th September, Petit-Saconnex; 29th-30th September, Pâquis; 6th-7th October, Eaux-Vives. 

 

• until 14th October 2018: “Je suis ton père !”, an exhibition at the Maison d’Ailleurs which, thanks to the original approach of the thirteen international contemporary artists invited to Yverdon-les-Bains, deals with modern myths, and in particular the most famous of all: George Lucas’s Star Wars. Linked to the exhibition, there will be various kids workshops, free guided tours and other fun activities – click here for full details and to reserve your place.

 

• until 6th January 2019: due to its outstanding success and by popular demand, the exhibition “Fourmis la grande exposition” at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou) has been extended until the 6th of January 2019! Discover the fascinating, unknown universe of these tiny insects. FREE ENTRY only on the first Sunday of every month.

 

• The permanent exhibition “Noblesse Oblige” at Prangins Castle is a great day-out for the whole family, take a step back in time with your children to see how a noble Swiss family lived in the 18th century! Find out more about this fantastic family exhibition in our previous post.