What’s On in January 2016

Still recovering from ringing in the new year with friends and family? Same here, hence the late posting of our monthly listings (apologies for that!). January is usually a slow start for everyone, so please remember to check our listings regularly as we will be adding new events every week.

Find more info about family-friendly brunches in our post “Sunday brunch with kids” or book your little one’s ski lessons to make the most of the season’s snowfall (more info here).

• Did you know you can still visit Santa’s house in Andilly? If all else fails, don’t forget to take a look at our Sunday Survival Guide too!

 

• 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

 

SKIING & SLEDGING:

At this time of the year, ski season is usually in full swing, so take a look at our previous posts about the best family ski-resorts (as voted by you!) and ski-schools for kids  close to Geneva. If your little ones are thrill-seekers, why not try out these great winter sledging spots?

 

PATINOIRES in GENEVA & CAROUGE:

One of the things we love the most about winter in Geneva is the access to some fabulous ice-skating rinks: they’re fun, they’re mostly free of charge and you can often hire skates for as little as 2 CHF. Here’s a selection of our favourite ones, but remember to check in your area as most villages and communes have their own winter skating-rinks.

• Open until 28th February 2016: Patinoire des Bastions, Geneva – open Tuesday to Sunday, entry is free and skates can be hired for 2CHF. Click here for exact opening times.

• Open until 28th February 2016: the Patinoire saisonnière in Carouge is at the heart of the city’s Xmas celebrations: the atmosphere is great and you’ll be skating right in the centre of beautiful Carouge. Don’t miss the super-cool “Ice Bar” for a hot drink or a fondue. From this year, renting skates for children up to the age of 6 will be free of charge and only 2CHF for older children and adults.

• Open until March 2016: the patinoire des Vernets has 2 ice-rinks, a smaller one outdoors and a larger one indoors for matches & sports events.

• Open until 26th March 2016: the Patinoire des Charmilles in Geneva is smaller but it’s great fun for families: on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm they hold “Glisse en musique” skate & dance sessions for families that are really good fun! Entry is free and skates can be hired for 2CHF. Click here for opening times – the rink is closed on Mondays.

• Every Saturday from 9am to 10am get your little girls suited & booted for ice-hockey beginners lessons suitable from age 4 at the patinoire in Grand-Sacconex! Every Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm and every Sunday from 11am until midday they will also offer free “Cours d’initiation au patinage” open to all. Bookings to be made in advance at the ice-rink – tel. 079 079 958 84 48. Patinoire Grand-Sacconex – Campagne du Château – 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex (GE).

PATINOIRES IN CANTON VAUD

There are some great ice-skating rinks in Canton Vaud as well (our family’s favourite is La Patinoire de Terre Sainte in Coppet with its dazzling views over the château), so if you’d like to have a go you can find the complete list here.

• Open until March 2016: the Patinoires in Lausanne include the Patinoire de Montchoisi, the Patinoire de Malley, Flon Patinoire and the Patinoire de la Pontaise. See the official Lausanne website for more details.

 

JANUARY 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

• until 3rd January 2016: Noël des Alpes in Annecy (France). Check out the official website of this beautiful French town for more details on all their Xmas activities, gourmet & crafts markets, ice-skating rink, fête foraine and amazing Xmas lights.

 

• 3rd January 2016: Le fabuleux village des Flottins in Evian (France) is a one-of-a-kind alternative to the seasonal Xmas markets. This magical, mysterious village filled with street entertainers, music, exhibitions and art installations will keep the whole family enthralled – you will also be able to do your Xmas shopping done, as local shops will remain open until 8pm in the evenings. Entry to the event is free, visit the official website for full programme details.

 

• Wednesday 6th January 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+.

 

• Wednesday 6th January 2016: “Yakari- ateliers enfants” at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Geneva (Pregny). Suitable for children aged 4 to 12, these fun workshops running from 2pm until 4pm will include a visit to the exhibition and a workshop in French. Participants have to buy a ticket to the exhibition but the workshop itself is free, places need to be booked in advance at secretariat@penthes.ch or 022 734 9021. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

• Saturday 9th January 2016: Cultures animées, free Animatou screenings suitable from age 8 in the Auditorium of the the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). From 11.15am until 11.45am. FREE ENTRY no advance booking required.

 

• Saturday 9th January 2016: “Dinosaures, fossils et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, fun workshops for kids aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about fossils and dinosaurs, these free Saturday workshops in French take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Saturday 9th January 2016: Atelier Pizza, every Saturday morning from 10.30am 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.

 

• Sunday 10th January 2016: “Construis ton système solaire de poche – Atelier” free workshops for children  aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free workshops will take place at 11am until 12pm on the second floor. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Sunday 10th January 2016: “Sommes-nous seuls dans l’Univers?” – free guided tours for families and children  aged 7+ and accompanied by an adult at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free Sunday tours will take place at 2pm on all floors. The guided tour in English “Are we alone in the universe?” will take place at 3.30pm.

 

• until 10th January 2016: Inauguration du Geneva Lux, festival de lumières from 5.30pm at Pont de la Machine in Geneva. Don’t miss the grand opening of Geneva’s Lights Festival! A staggering half-million LED lights and over 14km of Christmas light garlands will light up the city of Calvin during the festive season around Rue du Rhône, Place Longemalle, Bel-Air and l’Ile Rousseau. FREE ENTRY.

 

• until 10th January 2016: Cirque de Noël at the Plaine de Plainpalais in Geneva. A great family show, suitable from age 2. Visit the official website for prices & to book your tickets.

 

• until 10th January 2016: « Dans la peau de Hundertwasser »  free exhibition at the Quartier Libre SIG in Geneva (Pont de la Machine, 1). The exhibition will showcase the architectural designs, original graphic works and paintings by Austrian artist Hundertwasser. FREE ENTRY, workshops must be booked in advance at +41 (0)22 420 75 75 or exposition@sig-ge.ch.

 

• Wednesday 13th January 2016: “Au temps des chevaliers”, 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 13th January 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+.

 

• Wednesday 13th January 2016: “Histoire en briques – ateliers enfants” at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Geneva (Pregny). Suitable for children aged 4 to 12, these fun workshops running from 2pm until 4pm will include a visit to the exhibition and a workshop in French. Participants have to buy a ticket to the exhibition but the workshop itself is free, places need to be booked in advance at secretariat@penthes.ch or 022 734 9021. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

• Wednesday 13th January 2016: “Dis Mémé, ta vie comment c’était ?” at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol) at 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Wednesday 13th January 2016: Atelier découverte, music and theatre workshop for children aged 4+ at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). The session will begin at 3.30pm, entry is free but places must be booked in advance here.

 

• Saturday 16th January 2016: “Dinosaures, fossils et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, fun workshops for kids aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about fossils and dinosaurs, these free Saturday workshops in French take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• 16th-17th & 20th January 2016: “Le problème“, theatre & puppet show show in French suitable from age 5 at the Théâtre du Loup in Geneva (10, chemin de la Gravière – 1227 Les Acacias). Performances take place at 3pm, places must be booked in advance at 022 301 31 00.

 

• Sunday 17th January 2016: “Construis ton système solaire de poche – Atelier” free workshops for children  aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free workshops will take place at 11am until 12pm on the second floor. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Sunday 17th January 2016: “Sommes-nous seuls dans l’Univers?” – free guided tours for families and children  aged 7+ and accompanied by an adult at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free Sunday tours will take place at 2pm on all floors.

 

• Sunday 17th January 2016: Fête de l’hiver au Salève in nearby France. The day will run from 10am to 5pm and activities will include igloo-building workshops, games, treasure hunts and much more! Entry is 5 euros for adults (per each activity) and 3 euros for children.

 

• until 17th January 2016: LA CRECHE DE NOËL dans la ville, spectacular Christmas nativity scene at l’église Notre-Dame des Grâces in Grand-Lancy. It’s a masterpiece of miniature scenes recounting the Christmas story, displayed across a surface of 90m².
  The nativity will remain open everyday until the 17th of Januray 2016, from 10am until 6.30pm (except during mass). FREE ENTRY, but donations gratefully accepted.

LA CRECHE DE NOËL dans la ville – until 17th January 2016
Eglise Notre-Dame des Grâces
5 avenue des Communes Réunies
Grand-Lancy- Genève

 

• until 17th January 2016: «Lascaux, chef-d’œuvre de la préhistoire» at Palexpo Geneva – Halle 7. As the official website says: “For the first time in Switzerland, discover the splendour of this UNESCO listed cave in an impressive life size replica and an exhibition spreading on 4000m2! Thanks to the diversity and quality of the paintings, the Lascaux cave is one of the most important in the world. Discovered in 1940, the wall paintings are considered a treasure of paleolithic art. The exhibition will reveal the secrets of this fabulous cave and its masterpieces painted by our ancestors, the Cro Magnons, 200 centuries ago. Embark on a wonderful journey through time and enter the Lascaux cave, closed to visitors since 1963.” Make the most of the 16CHF discounted tickets on “Discovery Mondays” 7th and 14th of December; 11th of January. The exhibition is free for children under 6. Visit the official website for opening times and tickets booking.

 

• Wednesday 20th January 2016: “Au soleil des pharaons”, 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 20th January 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 20th January 2016: La visite au fil des contes, guided tour and story-time for ages 6+ conducted in French by Floriane Facchini at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The tour is open to all and FREE OF CHARGE, meet the group at the information desk. Starting at 2pm until 3.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 20th January 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+.

 

• Wednesday 20th January 2016: “Yakari- ateliers enfants” at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Geneva (Pregny). Suitable for children aged 4 to 12, these fun workshops running from 2pm until 4pm will include a visit to the exhibition and a workshop in French. Participants have to buy a ticket to the exhibition but the workshop itself is free, places need to be booked in advance at secretariat@penthes.ch or 022 734 9021. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

• Wednesday 20th January 2016: “Georges !”, a fun musical and theatre show in French for little ones aged 3+ at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be a performance at 2.30pm and one at 4pm. FREE ENTRY but places must be booked in advance here.

 

• 21st-24th January 2016: A petting farm right in the heart of Carouge? Yes, from the 21st until the 24th of January you can take the children to visit the yearly “Exposition cantonale d’aviculture” on the place de Sardaigne in Carouge to see the 600 farm animals, which will be gathered here, including chickens, sheep and cockerels. Open from 8am until evening.

 

• Saturday 23rd January 2016: Kachina – Poupées-esprits du Nouveau Monde, workshop in French for children aged 5+ accompanied by an adult at the MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). Children will learn to make their own wooden dools. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance at 022 418 45 55 (from 9am to 11am and only in the 5 days prior to the event). The workshop will run from 2pm until 4.30pm.

 

• Saturday 23rd January 2016: “Dinosaures, fossils et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, fun workshops for kids aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about fossils and dinosaurs, these free Saturday workshops in French take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Saturday 23rd January 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 and afternoon: 9.30am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 5pm. Entry is 3CHF per adult and child aged 2+.

 

• Sunday 24th January 2016: “Construis ton système solaire de poche – Atelier” free workshops for children  aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free workshops will take place at 11am until 12pm on the second floor. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Sunday 24th January 2016: “Sommes-nous seuls dans l’Univers?” – free guided tours for families and children  aged 7+ and accompanied by an adult at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free Sunday tours will take place at 2pm on all floors. The guided tour in English “Are we alone in the universe?” will take place at 3.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 27th January 2016: “Les mythes de Félix”, 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 27th January 2016: “Histoire en briques – ateliers enfants” at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Geneva (Pregny). Suitable for children aged 4 to 12, these fun workshops running from 2pm until 4pm will include a visit to the exhibition and a workshop in French. Participants have to buy a ticket to the exhibition but the workshop itself is free, places need to be booked in advance at secretariat@penthes.ch or 022 734 9021. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

• Wednesday 27th January 2016: La visite au fil des contes, guided tour and story-time for ages 6+ conducted in French by Floriane Facchini at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The tour is open to all and FREE OF CHARGE, meet the group at the information desk. Starting at 2pm until 3.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 27th January 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+.

 

• Wednesday 27th January 2016: “L’Ô” Méli-mélo de mélodies et de mots dans l’eau, a delightful musical show suitable from 6 months at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be a performance at 2.30pm and one at 4pm. FREE ENTRY but places must be booked in advance here.

 

• Saturday 30th January 2016: “Vive les Gaulois!”, Family Concert by Geneva Camerata at 11am at the Salle Frank-Martin in ‪Geneva‬. These fun, interactive concerts are perfect for families and children. Tickets are 20CHF for adults and 5CHF for children under 16. Click here for more info and to book online.

 

• Saturday 30th January 2016: “Dinosaures, fossils et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, fun workshops for kids aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about fossils and dinosaurs, these free Saturday workshops in French take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Saturday 30th January 2016: Spectacle de Contes in French with Claire Parma at the MJC de Gex (France) starting at 4.30pm. Suitable from age 4. Places must be booked in advance at info@mjcgex.fr

 

• Sunday 31st January 2016: Vide-grenier of all things baby taking place at the Espace de quartier Sécheron in ‪Geneva‬.If you have baby equipment to sell, you can register and set up your stall free of charge, all you need to do is write to larencontredesmamans@gmail.com to put your name down and bring a savoury or sweet dish on the day for the buvette! If you need to buy anything for your baby or toddler, just be there on Sunday 31st from 11am to 3pm. The toy library will be open exceptionally to keep children entertained (under supervision of an adult/carer, of course!).

 

• Sunday 31st January 2016: “Construis ton système solaire de poche – Atelier” free workshops for children  aged 6+ at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free workshops will take place at 11am until 12pm on the second floor. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Sunday 31st January 2016: “Sommes-nous seuls dans l’Univers?” – free guided tours for families and children  aged 7+ and accompanied by an adult at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). In connection with the current exhibition “Exoplanètes”, these free Sunday tours will take place at 2pm on all floors.

 

• until 31st January 2016: “Yakari, les Suisses à la rencontre des Amérindiens”, new temporary exhibition at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Pregny (Geneva). Definitely one for comic books fans!

 

ONGOING:

• until 14th February 2016: “Histoire en Briques” at the Musée des Suisses dans le Monde in Pregny-Chambésy (GE). Read all about this fantastic and child-friendly new exhibition in our latest post!

 

• until 4th April 2016: Exoplanète, a great exhibition at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanète, a planet situated outside our solar system by the Swiss astrophysicists from the Observatoire de Genève, Michel Mayor & Didier Queloz. This exhibition is accompanied by a number of kids workshops, guided tours, astronomical observation and many more events in the months to come.

 

• until 4th April 2016: Terre & Soleil exhibition at the Musée d’Histoire des Sciences in Geneva (Rue de Lausanne 128). The exhibition explores the change from a universe centred on the earth to a dynamic system of planets orbiting around the sun. You can continue the journey beyond our solar system to the discovery of other planets, the exoplanets, with the current exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Geneva. The first exoplanet was discovered in 1995 by Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz, while they were working for the University of Geneva observatory.

 

 

• until May 2016: Exposition de la maquette de la ville de Genève. The architectural model of the city of ‪Geneva‬ looks pretty awesome, it comprises of 145 modules and it took 40 years to complete! It is now on display for the first time and open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am until 6pm at the “Exposition de la maquette de la ville de Genève” — 25 rue du Stand — Geneva. The exhibition opened on the 15th of April 2015 and will run until May 2016. You can call +41 22 418 20 63 for more info or to book a guided tour.

 

• Until 30th December 2016: Medieval Factory, interactive exhibiton suitable from age 7 at the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne. Discover all the great medieval inventions still in use today! Free entry on the 1st Saturday of each month. Open Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 6pm; Sunday and Bank Holidays from 10am to 6pm. Tickets are 7CHF for adults and 3CHF for children.

 

• 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.