Transition weekend between the Christmas holidays and those of the New Year, the ski resorts are taking great care of the holidaymakers despite a significant lack of snow. Here is a small selection of activities, events, festivities, in short ideas for outings for the weekend of December 27 and 28, 2025, in Haute-Savoie.
All weekend
The Father Christmas Pestacles – La Clusaz
For more than 20 years, La Clusaz has been inviting you to the “Father Christmas Pestacles,” the largest street arts festival for families, organized in winter in the mountains.
Discover the magic of the Father Christmas Pestacles in La Clusaz, a fairy-tale enchantment for the whole family! Immerse yourself in the dazzling Christmas atmosphere where street performances, diverse music, and folk traditions come together to delight both young and old.
La Clusaz turns its heart into a true open-air theater, welcoming everyone into a world where children’s laughter echoes like a sweet melody.
The Father Christmas Pestacles, the dream place to experience the very essence of the end-of-year festivities! Come and let yourself be carried away in this magical winter escape!
- Schedule: From Friday, December 26 to Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Church Square – La Clusaz
Impérial Christmas Festival – Annecy
The Impérial Palace offers you 3 marvelous evenings of concerts and theater. The Impérial Christmas Festival takes you on a journey between jazz music, classical music, and shows for the whole family!
- 12/26 at 6:30 p.m.: Jazz evening with Tamir Hendelman Trio “Tribute to Oscar Peterson”
- 12/27 at 6:30 p.m.: Classical evening with The Curious Bards “Sublimation”
- 12/28 at 6:30 p.m.: Comedy evening with Antonia de Rendinger “Scenes of Body and Mind”
See the full program
- Schedule: From Friday, December 26 to Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Impérial Palace – Allée de l’Impérial – 74000 Annecy
The Fabulous Village or the Legend of the Flottins – Evian les bains
Every winter, the town of Évian-les-Bains transforms into a magical setting with The Fabulous Village or the Legend of the Flottins, a must-see event that plunges young and old into an imaginary, poetic, and completely free universe. Inspired by fantastic characters and creatures sculpted from driftwood, this unique event combines art, tales, street performances, and activities for the whole family.
Along the alleys, on the quays, and in the city’s emblematic spaces, visitors discover an enchanting world where Flottins, dreamlike decorations, illuminations, and artistic performances cross paths. Theatrical sketches, parades, creative workshops, tales, and musical animations punctuate the stroll and make each passage a different and immersive experience.
Practical information
- Event name: The Fabulous Village or the Legend of the Flottins
- Location: Downtown and quays of Évian-les-Bains
- Period: From mid-December to early January (depending on annual schedules)
- Access: Entirely free event
- Audience: All public – families, children, passing visitors
- Animations: Street performances, sketches, children’s workshops, artistic wanderings, immersive decor
- Access & parking: Parking near downtown, Évian train station a few minutes on foot
- Catering: Restaurants, cafes, gourmet chalets and shops open during the event
- Program: check the program
Our advice: come at dusk to fully enjoy the illuminations and the village’s magical atmosphere.
The Féeriques in Thonon-les-Bains
The Thonon Christmas market, also called “ The Féeriques ”, is one of the largest and most magical in Haute-Savoie. Located on Avenue du Léman, this market offers about fifty chalets where you can discover artisanal products, decorations, and regional treats. A natural ice rink and animations like the enchanted forest and Father Christmas’s House make this market a must-see family event.
Father Christmas has settled in his house at Belvédère, accompanied by his elves, and will welcome young and old until December 24!
From November 28, 2025 to January 4 2026, every day.
Annemasse Christmas Market: Hello Winter
- From Friday, December 5 to 24, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Until 4 p.m. on December 24
- Come enjoy the Annemasse Christmas Market, which is part of a Street Arts Festival. Stroll through the Christmas Market and enjoy the ice rink, musical performances, fire shows… for the whole family!
- Location: Town Hall Square, Annemasse
Christmas in Sallanches
- From Saturday, December 6, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
- The chance once again to feast your eyes thanks to the animated fresco on the church façade, to meet Father Christmas, to enjoy animations, workshops, shows offered for the whole family, to skate and have fun at the rink installed under the Grenette hall, to gather in the Village around chocolate or mulled wine
- Location: Place Grenette
The Christmas and New Year’s Village – Samoëns
The magic of Christmas comes alive in Samoëns! Dive into an enchanting world with the Christmas Village: an artisan market, shows, workshops, and many activities. The Samoëns Christmas and New Year’s Village offers you special moments from December 6, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
The Christmas and New Year’s Village – Samoëns
Christmas of the Alps – Annecy
Every year-end, the city of Annecy transforms into a true open-air festive village on the occasion of Christmas of the Alps. This 2025 edition promises to be particularly rich: from November 22, 2025 to January 10, 2026, squares, quays, streets, and gardens will be lively with Christmas markets, activities, an ice rink, and illuminations.
See all information about Christmas of the Alps in Annecy
Father Christmas’s Castle – Menthon Saint Bernard
The magnificent Castle of Menthon‑Saint‑Bernard transforms, from November 14, 2025 to January 3, 2026, into the magical domain of Father Christmas’s Castle. Come and dive with family or friends into a warm atmosphere made of twinkling lights, spicy scents, local artisans, and creative workshops for young and old.
Practical information:
- Schedule:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (outside school holidays), opening is planned from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.;
- Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and during school holidays, the site welcomes visitors from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.
- Rates:
- Adult: from €6 to €8, Child: from €3 to €6.
- Free for children under 3 years old.
- Unlimited adult pass: €16.
- Unlimited child pass: €12.
- Free entry from 6 p.m.
A magical moment to experience the spirit of the holidays in the heart of a historic setting dominated by Lake Annecy.
To read: Visiting Father Christmas’s Castle at Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Place for Christmas – Le Grand Bornand
From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, the festive spirit fills Chinaillon Square with a program of family activities:
- Rides, shows, wooden games, creators’ market, Father Christmas, treats and other surprises… Ho ho ho! Christmas decorations, shows, musical walks, and illuminations are scheduled for this end-of-year holiday.
- Refreshment stand and light catering by associations (except 12/25),
- Rides: “The Cauldron” and “Carousel Cow” (Théâtre de la Toupine),
- Giant wooden games,
- Creators’ market of the Aravis (except 12/25),
- “Cosmos” space by the Festijeux company.
- Schedule: From Wednesday, December 23 to Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
- Location: 6910 route du Chinaillon – 74450 Le Grand-Bornand
Fantastic Parade “Christmas Team” – Châtel
Find in the streets of Châtel this fantastic luminous procession with artists of all kinds.
In a whirlwind of magic and joy, the elves and little Christmas soldiers will first take you to the enchanted land of 1000 bubbles. Then, as if by magic, giant mascots will appear, lighting up the village with their fairy presence.
Shining star and luminous horses will open the march of majestic Dragons and cartoon characters, delighting young and old with their charm and wonder.
- Schedule: Friday, December 26, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Price: Free entry
Markets of Haute-Savoie
Many markets take place throughout the week and weekend in the department, find the list here: Markets of Haute-Savoie
