What’s On in February 2016

From skiing with the tiddlers to enjoying a delish family Sunday brunch, we’ve posted our favourite tips for a great family weekend in and around Geneva, Vaud and nearby France, not to mention all the ideas you can find in our post on how to survive those sleepy winter Sundays (…free ice-skating anyone?).

We had to wait a fair bit for it, but now that we have plenty of snow, what about taking the little ones for some serious sledging fun?

February is also a great month to discover some of the best traditional Swiss festivals, starting with the Basel Fasnacht. If you’d like to find out more about Carnival celebrations in Switzerland and nearby France take a look here!

 

EVENTS LISTINGS:

• Wednesday 3rd February 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 3rd February 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 3rd February 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 3rd February 2016: “Une vie ailleurs? Les extrêmophiles” Animation du mercredi Wednesday FREE workshops for 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 workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 3rd February 2016: “La famille Tête de Bois”, free puppet show in French suitable from age 2 at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be one show at 2.30pm and one at 4pm. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance.

 

• Wednesday 3rd February 2016: Engraving workshops for kids at the Musée de ‪‎Carouge‬ on Wednesday 3rd and 10th of February. Workshops will run from 2pm until 3.30pm and children will create one engraving and 2 greeting cards! FREE ENTRY but places must be booked in advance at 022 307 93 80.

 

• Thursday 4th February 2016: new Music Together in Geneva toddler & baby music classes in Eaux-Vives at 2:30pm (Starclub, rue Maunoir 29, 1207 Geneva). Prices: – for the trial: 15CHF- for the 7 weeks: 265CHF (215CHF if already registered) including the book and the CD.

 

• Friday 5th February 2016: new Music Together in Geneva toddler & baby music classes in La Servette at 10am (EMS Les Lauriers, 7 rue Veyrassat)Prices: – for the trial: 15CHF- for the 7 weeks: 265CHF (215CHF if already registered) including the book and the CD.

 

• Saturday 6th February 2016: TROC IT child & baby second-hand sale at the Salle des Fêtes d’Avanchet-Salève in ‪‎Geneva, open from 10.30am until 4pm. You can register to sell your goods for just 3CHF (or free of charge if you’re a member of the GGG Association), just email your details to info@gruppogenitoriginevra.org. If your children speak or are learning Italian, you will find a corner with Italian books, toys and DVDs for sale!
  TROC It – Salle des Fêtes d’Avanchet-Salève – Rue François-Durafour 17 – 1220 Avanchets. TRAM 14, stop: Balexert.

 

• Saturday 6th February 2016: Marché Sans Puces, a special edition of Geneva’s coolest flealess market, part of the Festival Antigel line-up. Be at Grand Central / Quartier de l’Etant in Vernier (Chemin de l’Etang 55) from 4pm until 10pm for a vintage-inspired shopping spree, with a plethora of designers from Switzerland and beyond. FREE ENTRY. As well as unique shopping opportunities, there will be live music, drinks and plenty of swagger.

 

• Saturday 6th February 2016: “Soundjata, l’enfant-lion” Conte pour marionnettes à fils et musique, a traditional puppet show from West Africa suitable for all ages at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The show starts at 4pm , tickets can be purchased online at www.adem.ch.

 

• Saturday 6th February 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 7th February 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 7th February 2016: “Journée Portes ouvertes à l’Opéra des Nations” in ‪‎Geneva. FREE ENTRY. From 10.30am until 7pm visitors will be shown around the new Opéra des Nations (Avenue de France 40) and there will be chidlren’s workshops too, run by Elsa Barthas & Fabrice Farina. Take a look at the online programme for the exact times of the free public concerts taking place during the Opéra des Nations’ Open Day.

 

• Sunday 7th February 2016: “Tohu Wa Bohu en voyage – Spécial Amériques” 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.

 

• Wednesday 10th February 2016: “Une vie ailleurs? Les extrêmophiles” Animation du mercredi Wednesday FREE workshops for 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 workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 10th February 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 10th February 2016: “Les sculptures de Rodin”, 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 10th February 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 10th February 2016: “À l’aide !”, free puppet show and shadow play in French suitable from age 4 at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be only one show at 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• Wednesday 10th February 2016: Engraving workshops for kids at the Musée de ‪‎Carouge‬. Workshops will run from 2pm until 3.30pm and children will create one engraving and 2 greeting cards! FREE ENTRY but places must be booked in advance at 022 307 93 80.

 

• 12th-13th February 2016: Geneva Street Food Winter Market. Save the date for the Geneva Street Food Winter Market on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th of February 2016! Gourmet food trucks will gather in Vernier (Chemin de l’Etang 55) from 6pm to 11pm on Friday and from midday to 11pm on Saturday. FREE ENTRY, you will find all kinds of foodie delights, from Mexican tacos to slow-cooked English pies, fresh oysters and much more! GENEVA STREET FOOD WINTER MARKET 12th-13th February 2016. Grand Central – Festival ANTIGEL, Chemin de l’Etang 55, 1219 Vernier.

 

 

• 12th-15th February 2016: Payerne Carnival in Canton Fribourg. This is one of Switzerland’s oldest carnivals. Don’t miss the kids’ masked parade on Saturday 13th at 2.40pm and the free disco on Sunday at 5.40pm. FREE ENTRY.

 

• 12th-27th February 2016: Festival Groove N’Move, Geneva’s international street dance festival, offering a plethora of great shows, battles of B-boying as well as workshops for various levels. See the official website for full programme details.

 

• Saturday 13th February 2016: Carnaval aux Bains, you don’t need to leave Geneva to celebrate carnival to the max with the 5th edition of the Carnaval aux Bains at the Bains des Pâquis. This year’s theme will be 20,000 leagues under the sea, so dress accordingly. The party begins at 3pm at the Place de la Navigation with the big brass band parade through the Pâquis neighbourhood up to the Bains, where there will be activities for kids, a bonfire, a giant jacuzzi and partying until the wee hours! FREE ENTRY.

 

• Saturday 13th February 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+.

 

• Saturday 13th February 2016: Conte kamishibaï : “Mameta et le grand arbre Motchi-Motchi” et “Kaguyahime la princesse radieuse”. Japanese story-time and paper theatre (in French) suitable for ages 4+ at the Médiathèque “Correspondances” in Divonne-les-Bains, starting at 4.30pm. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance at mediatheque@divonne.fr

 

• 13th-28th February 2016: Le Grand Carnaval de la Mère Noël, carnival celebrations for children at the Hameau du Père Noël in Andilly (France). There will be face-painting for the little ones, baby disco, story-times and yummy snacks in the company of Père Fouettard and la Mère Noël! Open from 2pm until 6pm, entry tickets are 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for kids.

 

• Sunday 14th February 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.

 

• 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!

 

• 15th February 2016: Basel Fasnacht, Switzerland’s most famous carnival celebration with its traditional “Gugge” bands, flamboyant dress-up costumes, kids parade and live music – this is the time a Swiss city truly goes wild! The Basel Fasnacht is the largest carnival celebration in Switzerland, with over 20,000 masks filling the streets of the city with their carnival lanterns. Find out more about it on their official website. FREE ENTRY.

 

• 15th-19th February 2016: Jours d’ouverture aux familles  during the February 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+.

 

• 16th-21st February 2016: Venetian Carnival in Annecy (France), a lavish, spectacular parade of beautiful Venetian masks throughout the charming little alleys of one of France’s most beautiful cities, known as the venice of the Alps. You can read about last year’s edition in our previous post.

 

• Tuesday 16th & Tuesday 23rd February 2016: Ateliers vacances at the Château de Prangins (VD) for children aged 7 to 12, in French. The workshops run from 2pm to 4.30pm, the price per child is 10CHF including a snack. Places must be booked in advance at 058 469 38 90.

 

• Wednesday 17th February 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 17th February 2016: “Une vie ailleurs? Les extrêmophiles” Animation du mercredi Wednesday FREE workshops for 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 workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 17th February 2016: MEGshow, a great show and guided tour of the museum’s collections suitable from age 5 at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The show runs from 2pm to 3.30pm and it’s FREE OF CHARGE but places must be booked in advance at 022 418 45 55 (only call between 9am and 11am and only in the 5 days which precede the activity).

 

• Wednesday 17th February 2016: “Petit Poussin”, free musical tale in French with Claire Parma, suitable from age 2 and taking place at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be one show at 2.30pm and one at 4pm. FREE ENTRY, but places must be booked in advance.

 

• 17th & 19th February 2016: Atelier pour juniors autour du bleu et blanc, children’s workshops in French at the Musée Ariana in Geneva (Avenue de la Paix 10). The workshops are linked to the current exhibition « My Blue China. La mondialisation en bleu et blanc » and are suitable for children aged 8 to 12. Workshops will run from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, and the price is 30CHF per child (20CHF for siblings). Places must be booked in advance at +41 22 418 54 54 / adp-ariana@ville-ge.ch

 

• Until 19th February 2016: “PLOUF” – a fun, interactive exhibition for young children devised by Nadia Crivelli at La Julienne in Plan-les-Ouates and made out of imaginary creatures thought up by a group of 5 year olds. FREE ENTRY, open Monday to Friday from 2pm until 6pm. La julienne, rte de Saint-Julien 116, Plan-les-Ouates. They will run free workshops on the 10th of February, for which places must be booked in advance at 022 884 64 66 or lajulienne@plan-les-ouates.ch

 

• Saturday 20th February 2016: MEGshow, a great show and guided tour of the museum’s collections suitable from age 5 at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The show runs from 2pm to 3.30pm and it’s FREE OF CHARGE but places must be booked in advance at 022 418 45 55 (only call between 9am and 11am and only in the 5 days which precede the activity).

 

• Sunday 21st February 2016: MEGshow, a great show and guided tour of the museum’s collections suitable from age 5 at the  MEG museum in Geneva (Musée d’ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67). The show runs from 2pm to 3.30pm and it’s FREE OF CHARGE but places must be booked in advance at 022 418 45 55 (only call between 9am and 11am and only in the 5 days which precede the activity).

 

• Tuesday 23rd February 2016: music & story times sessions suitable for ages 1 to 4 organized by La Bulle d’Air at the bibliothèque de La julienne in Plan-les-Ouates (116, route de St Julien). There will be other sessions on the following dates: Tuesday 15th March; Tuesday 19th April; Tuesday 14th June 2016. There will be one session at 9.45am and a second one at 10.30am, both lasting approx. 30 mins. FREE ENTRY.

 

• Tuesday 23rd February 2016: Ateliers vacances at the Château de Prangins (VD) for children aged 7 to 12, in French. The workshops run from 2pm to 4.30pm, the price per child is 10CHF including a snack. Places must be booked in advance at 058 469 38 90.

 

• Wednesday 24th February 2016: “Une vie ailleurs? Les extrêmophiles” Animation du mercredi Wednesday FREE workshops for 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 workshops will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm.

 

• Wednesday 24th February 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 24th February 2016: “En avant la musique!”, 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 24th February 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 24th February 2016: “L’extraordinaire Petite Colombe” free magic and tales show in French suitable from age 4 at the Espace Grosselin in Carouge (Rue Jacques-Grosselin 31, sous-sol). There will be only one show at 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY, no advance booking necessary.

 

• 26th-28th February 2016: Carnaval Orbe. This year’s theme is “à l’alpage“, so Swiss or mountain-themed disguises are de rigueur – make sure you dress the part to enjoy the experience to the fullest! There will be Guggenmusik, activities for children and a Bonhomme d’Hiver bonfire at 8pm on Saturday night.

 

• 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.

 

ONGOING:

• 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.

 

LIBRARIES, TOY LIBRARIES & INDOOR PLAY CENTRES:

Many public libraries 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

 

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.

 

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 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.