Here’s our events listings for the month of October, remember to keep checking our listings regularly as we will be updating this post with more events each week.
Halloween 2017:
PRACTICAL TIP: if you’re looking for the perfect Halloween costume for your cheeky munchkins, remember that you can check with your local toy library. Many ludothèques in Geneva and Vaud stock kids dress-up costumes that can be hired for a nominal price for up to 2-3 weeks. Not all of them offer this service but it’s definitely worth checking!
- Thursday 5th October 2017: Les ateliers du Musée du Léman tous les 1ers jeudi du mois at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8, VD). This Halloween workshop “Les ateliers du Léman – sorcières en costume de bain” will run from 4pm until 5.30pm and is suitable from age 6+. Places must be booked in advance at info@museeduleman.ch and there is an entry fee of 5CHF.
- Saturday 7th October 2017: Scary Night at the Castle at the Château de Chillon in Veytaux near Montreux (VD). From 6pm to 11.30pm (last entry at 9.30pm) your little night owls can take part in this night-time adventure at one of Switzerland’s most breath-taking medieval fortresses. The castle will be lit with torches and filled with music, fun activities and a ghostly light installation on the castle’s walls. Entry is 18CHF per person or 45CHF for family tickets, free entry for children under 6.
- 21st October-5th November 2017: Halloween Party at C l’Aventure indoor play centre in Annemasse (France). There will be various Halloween activities throughout the month of October but for a proper Halloween night party make sure you are there on Tuesday 31st of October from 7.30pm until 11pm, ready to be spooked! There will be magic shows, scary face-painting, a vampires ball and much more. Click here to see our previous post about C l’Aventure.
- Friday 27th October 2017: “Soirée déguisée Halloween” for children, without their parents at Vitam’Ludic in Neydens (France) from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Places can be booked online or directly at Vitam’Parc.
- 28th October; 3rd & 4th November 2017: Special Accrobranche Nocturne to celebrate Halloween at the Parc Aventure des Evaux in Geneva. If the weather is good, put on your scariest Halloween costume and join other monsters from 7pm to 11pm with no advance booking required. Suitable from ages 7+.
- Sunday 29th October 2017: Halloween Party at the Parc Pré Vert – Signal de Bougy in Bougy-Villars (VD). The Halloween celebrations at Signal de Bougy will take place on Sunday 29th of October and will include Halloween workshops, face-painting, mini disco and a kids’ parade through the park. FREE ENTRY to all activities and no advance booking necessary. The event will run from 10am until 5pm, click here to see the full programme.
- Tuesday 31st October 2017: Halloween à Tortuga, great indoor party at L’île de Tortuga play centre in Vétraz-Monthoux (France). The park will be open from 10am to 10pm with scary games, face painting, spooky dances and buffet!
- Friday 3rd November 2017: Halloween Family Party organized by the Sou des Écoles des Grands Chênes – Prévessin-Moëns (France). The party will take place at the Salle Gaston Laverriere de Prevessin- Möens (France) from 6.30pm until midnight. The event will include fun and scary activities, a Halloween costume competition and much more. Entry tickets are 3 euros per child and 5 euros for parents.
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!
INDOOR PLAY CENTERS, TOY & BOOK 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.
- Click here to find the best indoor play centres in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France, and remember you can always pop round into your local toy library for a bit of free-play. Here’s a link about great ludothèques in the area.
- Public libraries are also a great place for your children: many host free events, workshops, story-times (usually in French but many times in other languages too). 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
SUNDAY BRUNCH, DAYS-OUT & MORE:
- You can read our previous post to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons.
- Stuck for ideas on a 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.
- 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!
OCTOBER 2017 LISTINGS:
- Wednesday 4th October 2017: Elever sa propre colonie de fourmis – Animation enfants FREE workshops for ages 10+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). These free workshops last 1 hour and 15 mins and will take place at 1.45pm and 3.15pm. FREE ENTRY but places are limited so they must be booked in advance at mickael.blanc@ville-ge.ch
- Wednesday 4th, 18th October 2017: “Sur les traces d’Indiana Jones”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th October 2017: 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. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Thursday 5th October 2017: Les ateliers du Musée du Léman tous les 1ers jeudi du mois at the Musée du Léman in Nyon (Quai Louis Bonnard 8, VD). This Halloween workshop “Les ateliers du Léman – sorcières en costume de bain” will run from 4pm until 5.30pm and is suitable from age 6+. Places must be booked in advance at info@museeduleman.ch and there is an entry fee of 5CHF.
- 6th-14th October 2017: Animatou Film Festival in Geneva, a fab line-up of international animated movies your little ones will love. This year’s special theme will be Italy! See the official website for full details of the 180 films that will be shown and all the kids workshops available.
- Saturday 7th October 2017: Le rallye du chocolat, a great event for all chocolate lovers now in its 3rd edition. Buy your chocolate passports online, then proceed to meet the 12 artisan chocolatiers taking part in this gastronomic rally! The event will run from 10am until 5pm, find full details of the event on their official webpage.
- 7th-8th October 2017: Eaux-Vives La ville est à vous returns for its 14th edition 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!
- Sunday 8th October 2017: Marche de l’Espoir from 11am to 5.30pm on the Quai du Mont-Blanc in Geneva. This is a great charity event with activities for all the family, including live music, international food stalls, folk dance and face painting. The Marche de l’espoir is in support of the charity Terre des Hommes Suisse.
- 8th-12th October 2017: 37th Olympic Week at the Musée Olympique in Ouchy (Lausanne). Were you born between the 1st of July 2002 and the 30th of June 2009? If this is the case, get ready for five days of fun and sport with more than 30 activities on offer in and around The Olympic Museum. Registration is free. Your accreditation will give you “à la carte” access to all the activities from Sunday 8th to Thursday 12th of October 2017, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Find full details and the complete list of sports on offer on the Olympic Museum official website
- Tuesday 10th & 17th October 2017: 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.
- 10th-15th October 2017: Fête du Théâtre Genève, movie screenings, conferences, shows and theatre workshops for all ages. There will be various parent & child activities at the weekend, along with kids shows so make sure you download the full programme here and reserve your places at reservations@fetedutheatre.ch. FREE ENTRY but advance booking is compulsory.
- Wednesday 11th October 2017: Elever sa propre colonie de fourmis – Animation enfants FREE workshops for ages 10+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). These free workshops last 1 hour and 15 mins and will take place at 1.45pm and 3.15pm. FREE ENTRY but places are limited so they must be booked in advance at mickael.blanc@ville-ge.ch
- Wednesday 11th October 2017: “Les murs ont des oreilles!”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. ENTRY to the exhibition is 5CHF per adult, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 11th, Saturday 14th, Wednesday 18th October 2017: 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.
- Wednesday 11th, 18th, 25th October 2017: 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. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Thursday 12th October 2017: Le marché du jeudi soir in Carouge. This great weekly event will run until the 22nd of December 2017 on the Place du marché in Carouge. From 5pm until 9pm this bustling neighbourhood market will be accompanied by live music bands and gourmet tastings! FREE ENTRY.
- Friday 13th October 2017: 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. No previous booking required, FREE OF CHARGE.
- Saturday 14th October 2017: Grande fête ASLOCA Genève from 11 am at the Salle Communale de Plainpalais. Asloca will celebrate its 75th anniversary, with kids activities and workshops from midday to 4pm. FREE ENTRY.
- Saturday 14th October 2017: 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.
- Saturday 14th October 2017: Fête de l’automne at the Salle Lavergne in Ornex (France). In the morning from 10am you can bring in your autumn sculpture or dessert for the day’s competition, while from 2pm until 6pm there will be fun kids workshops, donkey rides, face painting, bouncy castles and much more. FREE ENTRY.
- Saturday 14th October 2017: Retour des Alpages, traditional cattle descent festival in Annecy (France). This great festival will run from 9am until 6pm in the streets of Annecy’s old town, but the cow parade itself will take place at 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY.
- until 15th October 2017: Fête de la science 2017 in nearby France. Check the official website for all events, science-related activities and fun workshops taking place across France. Pangloss Labs in Ferney Voltaire (12 bis rue de Gex) is organizing 3D printing workshops for all ages, as well as creative workshops. Contact them at ayse@panglosslabs.org for full details.
- Sunday 15th October 2017: Brunch du Signal de Bougy, family brunch at Signal de Bougy (VD), running from 9.30am until 1pm. The buffet brunch is 35CHF per adult and 2CHF per child (per year of age, until the age of 14). Places must be booked in advance at 058 568 31 50 or by email at info@signaldebougy.ch
- Tuesday 17th October 2017: 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.
- 17th-20th October 2017: “Vacances à la romaine”, holiday workshops in French for children aged 7 to 12 at the Musée romain de Nyon (9, rue Maupertuis). Workshops take place from 2pm to 4pm and cost 16CHF per child (for each workshop). Choose from breadmaking ancient Roman-style, mosaic or dressing up in the style of ancient Rome – places must be booked in advance at 022 361 75 91 or musee.romain@nyon.ch
- Wednesday 18th October 2017: Origami Fourmis – Animation enfants FREE origami workshop for ages 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). These free workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.
- Wednesday 18th October 2017: 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 18th October 2017: “Sur les traces d’Indiana Jones”, part of the Mercredis Family family workshops 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 at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.
- Wednesday 18th October 2017: 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. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Wednesday 18th October 2017: 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.
- 20th-22nd October 2017: Festival Salamandre in Morges (VD). A great nature festival with a jam-packed programme filled with nature-themed films, laboratories of discovery, activities for children, story times, creative workshops, indoor climbing and more. Open from 10am until 7pm (6pm on Sunday) at the théâtre et complexe sportif de Beausobre in Morges. Tickets are 12CHF for adults and 5CHF for kids. FREE ENTRY for children under the age of 6.
- Saturday 21st October 2017: Save the date for the grand opening of the new Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne! This amazing freshwater aquarium & vivarium will display live animals in an immersive and interactive setting using innovative digital technologies. It is going to be Europe’s largest freshwater Aquarium-Vivarium. With over 3,500 sqm of displays, 2 million liters of freshwater and 10,000 fishes, this is set to be the family attraction of the year!
- Saturday 21st October 2017: “Le loup et les sept chevreaux” – 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.
- 21st October 2017-11th March 2018: The patinoire de Nyon-Rive reopens for the winter season! The ice rink will open at 10am on Saturday 21st and this year it will be open 7 days a week! Click here for exact opening times. ENTRY IS FREE, ice skates for children can be hired for just 3CHF (5CHF for adults).
- 22nd October 2017: Lausanne Marathon, get ready for this great event which includes a Mini track for kids (2,6 or 4,2km); Walking (10km); Half Marathon (21km) and Full Marathon (42km). Participants to the 22nd Lausanne Marathon will set off on the mother of all athletic races on a path that is now well beaten between Lausanne and La Tour-de-Peilz and back. Advanced and intermediate runners will partake in an organization that has proven its worth nonstop since 1993.
- Monday 23rd-Friday 27th October 2017: Jours d’ouverture aux familles during the Geneva school holidays 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+.
- Wednesday 25th October 2017: Origami Fourmis – Animation enfants FREE origami workshop for ages 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). These free workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.
- Wednesday 25th October 2017: 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. Entry is 3CHF per adult and per child aged 2+.
- Saturday 28th October 2017: 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+.
- Sunday 29th October 2017: 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!
SAVE THE DATE:
- 3rd-5th November 2017: Book, CD and DVD sale at the Library in English in Geneva (3 rue de Monthoux).
ONGOING:
- until 26th November 2017: “Albertine et Germano Zullo, La Grande Exposition” at the Musée Alexis Forel. A superb exhibition of Geneva’s best-loved literary couple: illustrator Albertine and her writer husband Germani Zullo. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm until 6pm.
- until 7th January 2018: Body Worlds – L’Exposition at Geneva Palexpo. fantastic exhibition about the mysteries of the human body and human anatomy: the cycle of life, from bith to death, will be represented with a series of amazing anatomical studies of the human body. Open from 10am until 7pm, closed on Mondays.
- until 7th January 2018: “Fourmis la grande exposition”, temporary exhibition at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). Discover the fascinating, unknown universe of these tiny insects.. FREE ENTRY only on the first Sunday of every month.
- until 3rd June 2018: “Ça coule de source“. A great exhibition of an hydraulic structure’s construction site, inspired by the recent discovery made by archaeologists around the site of the ancient roman Aqueduct of Nyon. This exhibition will also show how the Romans managed and consumed their water sources. Pipes, taps, fountain plates, gargoyles, hydraulic facilities, coins and spillways illustrate the water’s course from the source, through its transmission across town, its distribution, use and disposal.
- 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.
