For a quarter of a century, the chalets and attractions of this second largest Christmas market in Switzerland have drawn big crowds.
From 21 November until
24 December, 172 artisans
and retailers will welcome
550,000 visitors in a festive
setting on the shores of Lake
Geneva. This year, in addition
to the 170 chalets extending
for nearly a kilometer
between the Market Square
and the 2M2C Convention
Centre, a brightly lit covered
area will add a magic touch
and protect visitors from
bad weather. A must-see:
a replica of Moscow’s Red
Square as a reference to
Russia, this year’s guest of
honour. The event will also
feature a concert of Russian folk music as well as culinary highlights
from the country. And Santa Claus will, of course, appear everyday
on his flying sleigh. At the log cabin in the lumberjack village, visitors
can warm themselves up over tea and delicious pizza. Several
new features are planned for the weekends, including a costumed
race (Santa’s Run, 8 December) and a sledge event at Les Avants (15
December). Children can ride up to Rochers-de-Naye, located at
2,042 m, to visit the real Santa Claus, who will welcome them with his
Russian counterpart, Grandfather Frost.
