Each winter, the city of Annecy in Haute-Savoie transforms into a true fairyland thanks to the Christmas Market, renamed for the occasion “Christmas of the Alps”. For 2025, the edition is adorned with remarkable new features: an extended route, optimized hours, and a wide range of activities for all ages.
Key dates and times
- Period: from Saturday, November 29, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026 for the main market.
- Expanded “Christmas of the Alps” route: from November 22, 2025 to January 10, 2026.
- Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 9pm
- Friday & Saturday / school holidays: 11am – 9:30pm
- December 24: 11am – 6pm; December 25: 3pm – 9pm
- December 31: 11am – 6pm; January 1: 3pm – 9pm
New features 2025: redesigned routes and zones
This edition plays the novelty card:
- The market now extends from the quai de Vicenza, Saint-Maurice and Ancienne Grenette squares, the Collège-Chappuisien and Joseph-Blanc streets, up to the quai Napoléon-III.
- The Jardins de l’Europe host a separate festive area with about fifteen chalets plus a 450 m² ice rink by the lake.
- More than 130 chalets of artisans and creators, selected for their authenticity, can be discovered among woods, decorative objects, and gourmet specialties.
Highlights & activities
- Lighting inauguration: Friday, November 28 at 5:30 pm on Notre-Dame square.
- Opening walkabout: Saturday, November 29 from 5pm to 6pm from the Lac district to the Jardins de l’Europe, followed by a meeting with Santa Claus.
- Temporary ice rink: open from November 29 to January 4 (11am–9pm on weekdays, until 9:30pm at the weekend) in the Jardins de l’Europe.
- Meet Santa Claus: at the illuminated house on Ancienne Grenette square on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and some Wednesdays/evenings according to the schedule.
- “Christmas of the Alps” activities: light shows, stories, choirs, creative workshops, solidarity initiatives (second-hand toy sale at the opening).
Practical tips for your visit
- Preferably arrive on weekdays and early afternoon (11am-4pm) to enjoy smoother traffic and friendly exchanges with artisans.
- In the evening, favor the 5pm-7pm slot to experience the magical atmosphere of the lights and their reflections on the canals.
- Parking: favor park & ride lots and bus or bike. The city center fills up quickly during the holiday season.
- Must-try treats: mulled wine, croziflette, fritters, artisanal chocolates and Savoyard cheeses.
- For photos: canal bridges near Saint-Maurice and quai Napoléon-III at sunset, perfect to capture the lights.
Why you must not miss this 2025 edition
The 2025 edition of the Annecy Christmas Market stands out by:
- a redesigned, smoother, more immersive route;
- a stronger “alpine Christmas village” atmosphere with the lake, ice rink and mountain backdrop;
- richer and more varied activities, suitable for all ages;
- wide hours that allow enjoying it at different times of the day.
A Christmas between nature and tradition
Meet in Annecy late November to early January to experience a Christmas between nature and tradition, between light and warmth. To stroll, marvel, glide on the ice or share a hot chocolate facing Mont Blanc reflected in the lake… The Annecy Christmas Market 2025 promises an exceptional moment. Come early, dream big and let yourself be carried away by the magic.
