What’s On in January 2015

Still recovering from ringing in the new year with friends and family? Same here, hence the late posting of our usual “what’s on” (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!

 

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 a bit of free-play and some light relief.

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

 

JANUARY 2015 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2015: “Dinosaures, fossiles et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, a workshop and conference in French 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 Wednesday workshops in French start from the hall on the 3rd floor and take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2015: Animation du mercredi: “Au secours des petits géants”, Wednesday workshops from age 7 at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about the fascinating world of beetles, these free Wednesday workshops in French will take place every Wednesday during the months of January and February 2015 from 2pm to 4.30pm (on the second floor).

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2014: 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.

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2015: “Le zoo des beaux-arts”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. Reserve your places in advance at adp-mah@ville-ge.ch or by phone at 022 418 25 00.

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2015: “Oh Loup !”, a sweet, funny theatre & burlesque show in French by the compagnie Le géant de granit suitable from age 4 at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31) starting at 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking required.

 

• Wednesday 21st January 2015: “Théâtre d’objet Flic Flac”, a delightful and poetic theatre show at the Esplanade du Lac in Divonne-les-Bains (181 avenue de la Plage). The show starts at 3.30pm and tickets are 8 euros per person, email billetterie.esplanade@divonne.fr to reserve your tickets. Performed in French using small objects and puppets, suitable for ages 1 to 5.

 

• Wednesday 21st, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th January 2015: “Les trois petites louves” puppet show in French suitable from age 4 by the theatre company Les Croquettes at the Salle communale in Salle communale in Chancy (ch. de la Ruette 7), starting at 2.30pm. Tickets on sale at the entrance so try to get there a bit earlier. There will be other performances on Saturday 24th at 2.30pm and on Sunday 25th at 11am and 2.30pm.

 

• 22nd-23rd January 2015: “The Life and Death of Martin Luther King” theatre show in English by The American Drama Group Europe and TNT theatre UK. This theatre piece follows the spiritual and political journey of Martin Luther King and his struggle for racial equality and civil rights in the USA. Performance begins at 8pm and will take place at the Uptown Geneva theatre (Rue de la Servette 2). Click here for full details and to reserve your tickets.

 

• 23rd-25th January 2015: Marinatal Salon du Mariage at the Beaulieu in Lausanne. This is the biggest wedding show in French-speaking Switzerland so don’t miss it if you’re planning your big day!

 

• until Saturday 24th January 2015: “DES RICHES ET DES PAUVRES”, a theatre show in French suitable from age 7 at L’Étincelle 18 in Geneva ((Maison du Quartier de la Jonction, avenue Ste-Clotilde). The show, performed by La Compagnie « Un Nuage en pantalon » takes place in Greece and will use music and theatre performance to approach the delicate subject of social inequalities between the rich and the poor. Ticket prices start from 8CHF, click here for exact performance times.

 

• Saturday 24th January 2015: “Dinosaures, fossiles et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, a workshop and conference in French 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 Wednesday workshops in French start from the hall on the 3rd floor and take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Saturday 24th January 2015: “CIRKAFRIKA 2” – from Soweto to Harlem, a superb music, dance and acrobatics show suitable for the whole family, performed in French at the Arena Genève at 8pm. Check the official website for ticket prices and bookings.

 

• Saturday 24th January 2015: Open Day at Bricks4kidz in St-Sulpice (VD). From 9.30am until 12.30pm your little ones will be able to play with LEGOS, Duplos and discover all about the great activities, camps and courses organized by Bricks4Kidz. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Saturday 24th January 2015: Big Mountain Battle, ski & snowboard competition open to teams of 2 as well as families in Les Gets – Morzine (France). The final goal is to rally through the largest number of checkpoints within the 3 hour limit. The race will start at 12 for families and teams of 2, the price is 30 euros per each team of 2 skiers.

 

 

• 24th January-8th February 2015: “LE DÉRATISEUR DE HAMELIN”, The Pied Piper of Hamelin is brought to the stage in French with songs and superb puppets at the Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève (Rue Rodo 3). See the theatre’s official website for prices and to reserve your places

 

• Sunday 25th January 2015: Air Antigel, a great family event in preparation for the Festival Antigel that will kick off in February. From 11am until 5pm families are invited to the Aéro-Club in Genève-Meyrin for a visit of the hangar with its dozing planes, as well as live demonstrations of miniature biplanes. There will be plane-themed workshops too, plane & dance performances, music and a family brunch from 11am until 3pm. Entry tickets are 20CHF for adults and 10CHF for children. The brunch “gouter de l’aviateur” is 15CHF for adults and only 1CHF for children up to the age of 10. Advance bookings are recommended at miammiam@antigel.ch.Aéroclub de Genève – Route H-C-Forestier 38 – 1217 Meyrin Lignes 10/ 23/ 57/ 28/ Y Arrêt Tour-de-Contrôle

 

• Sunday 25th January 2015: “Le Black Movie part à la découverte des Mochica!”, a fun guided tour and workshop for kids in French suitable for ages 8 to 12 at the newly reopened MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). From 1.30pm until 5.30pm children will be able to visit the current exhibition “Les rois mochica” and have fun dressing up with tiaras, golden crowns and jewels inspired by ancient Peruvian culture. There will be fun games too, so reserve your places now at atelier@blackmovie.ch, remember to confirm prices and full details!

 

• Sunday 25th January 2015: “Premier café de 2015: Danses & peinture”, kids workshop and family café in French organized by La Forêt Enchantée in Geneva (Espace de quartier du Sécheron, Avenue Blanc 7). The workshop will run from 2.30pm until 5.30pm with “Danses du Monde” for all ages, followed by “La méditation de la danse” for adults and ” Peinture avec les mains pour enfants de tout âge” for children of all ages. It’s going to be great fun so don’t miss it! The address is: Espace de Quartier Sécheron, Avenue Blanc 7 (TPG stop, Butini, Avenue de France, Tram 15).

 

• Sunday 25th January 2015: Funky Brunch at the Hotel Starling in Geneva. From 11am until 2pm, with delicious hot and cold buffet, live music and DJ sets. Prices are 50CHF for adults, free for children under 6 and – for children aged 6 to 12 – the price is the equivalent in CHF of their age. Click here to reserve your places online.

 

• Sunday 25th January 2015: “La porcelaine s’éclate!”, creative workshop in French for kids aged 8 to 12 at the Château de Nyon (Place du Château 5) as part of their current Bouke de Vies exhibition. The workshop will run from 2.30pm until 4pm and costs 12CHF per child, places must be booked in advance at info@chateaudenyon.ch or by phone at 022 363 83 51. Children will learn how to create a magic porcelain cup, filled with objects from their own imagination.

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: “Dinosaures, fossiles et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, a workshop and conference in French 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 Wednesday workshops in French start from the hall on the 3rd floor and take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: Animation du mercredi: “Au secours des petits géants”, Wednesday workshops from age 7 at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Genève (1, route de Malagnou). A fun way to discover more about the fascinating world of beetles, these free Wednesday workshops in French will take place every Wednesday during the months of January and February 2015 from 2pm to 4.30pm (on the second floor).

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: “On improvise!”, part of the Mercredis Family at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva (Rue Charles-Galland 2). Children aged 6 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome every Wednesday at 3pm to discover all about the museum collections in a fun, interactive way. Reserve your places in advance at adp-mah@ville-ge.ch or by phone at 022 418 25 00.

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: La visite au fil des contes, guided tour and story-time for all ages 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 at the information desk. Starting at 2.30pm until 4pm.

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: Plume d’or by Saska Circus, a music, songs & circus show in French suitable from age 2 at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31). There will be two performances: the first one starting at 2.30pm and the second at 4pm. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance at animations-bibliotheques@carouge.ch

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: “Fills Monkey”, a fun, energetic music & drums show suitable from age 7 at the Salle des Fêtes du Lignon in Le Lignon – Vernier (Place du Lignon 16) starting at 6pm. Tickets are 20CHF for adults and 10CHF for children under 10.

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: Ateliers des enfants, creative workshops in French for children at the Musée de Carouge (Place de Sardaigne 2) as part of their current Théodore Strawinsky exhibition. The workshops will be run by Karin Rivollet from 2pm until 3.30pm and will include a tour of the exhibition and a creative workshop. FREE ENTRY but plavces must be booked in advance at musee@carouge.ch

 

• Wednesday 28th January 2015: “Après-midi spécial parents-enfants” at the patinoire in Carouge (Place du Marché 14). A special ice-skating afternoon for parents and children, running from 2pm until 4pm. FREE ENTRY, skates can be borrowed free of charge for children up to the age of 6, and for only 2CHF for children aged 6+.

 

• 29th January 2015: “Le violon danse”, awonderful concert and ballet by the Geneva Camerata orchestra in collaboration with the BALLET JUNIOR DE GENÈVE. The show will be at the BÂTIMENT DES FORCES MOTRICES in Geneva, starting at 8pm. Click on their official website to purchase tickets.

 

• Saturday 31st January 2015: “Histoires de Loup – trois contes musicaux”, a wonderful concert and music show in French suitable from age 5 with the children of the Conservatoire Populaire de Musique. Stories of wolves will be told through music and song to the delight of your little ones, the show takes place at the Collège Calvin in Geneva (salle Frank-Martin) and starts at 7pm. Ticket prices range from 10CHF to 25CHF, click here to reserve your tickets.

 

• Saturday 31st January 2015: “Dinosaures, fossiles et autres aventures de la Terre Animation Géosciences”, a workshop and conference in French 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 Wednesday workshops in French start from the hall on the 3rd floor and take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

 

• Saturday 31st January 2015: Ski Colour, a fantastic new event – half way between an art installation and a fun ski event for all ages. SkiColour will take place at Les Gets ski resort where participants will ski down a specially prepared run on the Mont-Chery side of the resort. With breathtaking views of Mont Blanc ahead of them, skiers will be literally immersed in explosions of colour for an unforgettable experience, a World First in Les Gets! Just to reassure all green-minded participants, the colours used are mountain and nature-friendly powders, which won’t damage the beautiful natural setting of Les Gets. There will be fun workshops for kids as well as live concerts, so click here for full programme details and to register online. Ticket prices start at 6 euro for children and 10 euros for adults for SkiColour pedestrian passes.

 

 

• Saturday 31st January 2015: If you’re looking for a truly spectacular event then the upcoming Night Glow – Spectacle Son & Lumière in Château-d’Oex is for you. On Saturday 31st of January at 6.58pm (yes, on the dot – we’re in Switzerland after all!) around 20 hot-air balloons, skiers and fireworks will be deployed to the sound of music in the night sky. FREE ENTRY, the show is free of charge for all but it will be subject to optimal weather conditions (the event will be confirmed on Thursday 29th of January). Families and visitors are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before the event begins, as it will be quite crowded. Wrap up warm and don’t forget your camera!Night Glow – Spectacle Son & Lumière37ème Festival International de BallonsSaturday 31st of January 2015 at 18h58 in Château-d’OexPays-d’Enhaut

 

• 31st January – 28th February 2015: Casse-noisette, a puppet-show based on the famous Tchaïkovski’s ballet performed by the ZoT COMPAGNIE at the Espace Grange-Collomb in Carouge (Chemin de Grange-Collomb 38). Performances will take place at different times each day, so click here for exact dates and times and to book your tickets. Prices are 10CHF for children and 14CHF for adults.

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH & INDOOR PLAY CENTRES

You can also check our previous posts to find all the best child-friendly places to enjoy a delicious and stress-free Sunday brunch with your little buttons or the best indoor play centres in Geneva, Vaud and nearby France. And if the Sunday blues hit you don’t fret, we’ve got some great tips for that too!

 

PATINOIRES

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.

This is also the season to enjoy some great skiing & sledging with your little buttons, see our previous post for some advice on ski-schools for kids and great winter sledging spots..

• Open until 28th February 2015: 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 29th March 2015: The Patinoire des Charmilles in Geneva is smaller but it’s great fun for families: on Tuesdays & Saturdays from 1pm to 6pm they hold “Glisse en musique” skate & dance sessions for families that are really good fun! On Fridays from 5pm they offer various surprise activities. Entry is free and skates can be hired for 2CHF. Click here for opening times – the rink is closed on Mondays.

• Open until March 2015: 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 heart 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.

• Every Sunday from 11am until midday and every Wednesday from 2pm to 3pm the patinoire in Grand-Sacconex will 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. Get your little girls suited & booted for ice-hockey beginners lessons suitable from age 4, run by the Genève Futur Hockey staff. These introductory classes will take place every Sunday from 9am to 10am. Last but not least, there will be more “Initiation au hockey” courses for boys and different ages run by Genève Futur Hockey, more info and timetable to come soon at the patinoire. Patinoire Grand-Sacconex – Campagne du Château – 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex (GE).

• The patinoire des Vernets has 2 ice-rinks, a smaller one outdoors and a larger one indoors for matches & sports events.