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Annecy Christmas Market 2023 the program of the Alpine Christmas

Annecy Christmas Market 2023: the program of the Alpine Christmas

Cancelled in 2020 following the health crisis, the Alpine Christmas and its traditional Christmas Market are back in Annecy from November 22, 2021 to January 2, 2022. What will be the program ?

The Christmas Market 2023: bigger and with more chalets

Every year, it is a magical moment when the little Venice of the Alps takes the colors and atmosphere of Christmas. The city of Haute-Savoie on the edge of Lake Annecy has offered for years a rich program with a first Christmas market in front of the town hall and a second one with an ice rink in front of the Courier shopping center. In 2020, the pandemic linked to the coronavirus has imposed the cancellation of this edition of the Christmas Market.

Great news for 2021, the city of Annecy has just announced the return of the traditional Christmas Market for the 2021 holiday season. In 2017, the commune of Annecy had merged with 5 neighboring communes: Cran-Gevrier, Meythet, Seynod, Annecy-le-Vieux and Pringy. This new commune had taken the name of Annecy.

This year, the municipality has decided to organize several Christmas markets with more chalets in each of the delegated municipalities.

The program of the Annecy Christmas Market: nine sites and 150 chalets

In 2019, the date of the last edition of the Alpine Christmas, there were 80 chalets in downtown Annecy. The number of cottages will almost double to 150 by 2021 and will be spread over nine sites:

  • Annecy Christmas markets: the public will find five different atmospheres in five locations: around the churches of Saint-Maurice and Saint-François, on the Quai Vicenza, on the esplanade of the Hôtel de Ville. In the square of the Martyrs of the Deportation behind Bonlieu will be located the Santa Claus Village for children. The François-de-Menthon square will host a space dedicated to gourmet fragrances on 1 300 m² with 52 chalets and a musical atmosphere for the youth.
  • Annecy-le-Vieux central street in the Albigny district.
  • Meythet Annecy-le-Vieux : in front of the city hall.
  • Cran-Gevrier The city is served by a bus station : place Chorus and along the avenue de la République.
  • Seynod the place of the city hall will receive the ice rink.
  • Pringy Christmas animations and Christmas music will be proposed at the Mas des Jacobins.

The Christmas of the Alps in Annecy is an opportunity for the little ones to meet Santa Claus and for the older ones to find ideas for gifts to put under the tree. Among the novelties, horse-drawn carriage rides, musical podiums are planned. The traditional light projections will take place on the facades of the cathedral and the Old Prisons, in the courtyard of the music conservatory, on the tower of the castle of Annecy and on the door of St. Clair from November 26, 2021 to January 2, 2022.

Finally, 120 animations will be organized in the 6 delegated communes of Annecy.

Timetable of the Christmas markets in Annecy

The markets in downtown Annecy are open from Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and from Friday to Sunday from 11 am to 9:30 pm. The other markets are open every day from 11 am to 9 pm from November 22, 2021 to January 2, 2022.

Christmas lights

The public will be able to admire the emblematic monuments of the Old Town of Annecy during a guided tour that will mix the history of the city with the magic of Christmas:

Dates Saturday December 4, 11 and 18, Monday December 20 and 27 and Wednesday December 22 and 29, 2021. The departure is at 16:30 in the Bonlieu center, 1 rue Jean Jaurès in Annecy. Rate The price is 6,50 € and free for children under 12 years old.

The animations of the Christmas market

International Christmas at Bonlieu

This is the opportunity to share this festival with Annecy's twin cities and their traditions. With Germany, Italy, Spain, Quebec and Romania: visitors will be able to discover on December 4 and 5 from 11 am to 3 pm festive products from these cultures and make traditional decorations from Denmark and Finland. These activities will be repeated on December 11 and 12 from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

If you look up, you can admire in the center Bonlieu, the inverted forest and its hut as suspended in the air.

Cinema: Christmas screenings

The auditorium of Seynod will propose a continuous opening from 19/12 to 02/01 on the theme of fantastic films. The Mikado cinema in Novel will be open from 20 to 24/12. The Turbine in Cran-Gevrier and the Rabelais in Meythet will show Christmas movies.

Tales and Christmas shows in Annecy

Structures such as the MJC, cultural associations and theatrical companies of the city will present many shows during the school vacations.

Concerts on the Christmas markets

To warm up while listening to good live music, the 9 sites of the Christmas markets are animated at the end of the week. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, live concerts or DJ are organized from 18 H 30 to 20 H 30.

How to come and stay in Annecy to visit the Christmas Market ?

The city of Annecy is particularly renowned for its market, its illuminations and the many festive activities that are offered at this time of year. The city is served by a TGV station, a bus station with numerous buses, thefreeway A 41. The airports The nearest airports are Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Geneva Cointrin.

For your stay many accommodations welcome you. Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Annecy that offer excellent value for money and have very good customer reviews:

Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort

This beautiful establishment is located in front of Lake Annecy. You will be able to enjoy its spa and its indoor heated pool. The gastronomic restaurant offers a varied and inventive cuisine.

You can reach the city center in 5 minutes by car.

From 233 € per night.

Splendid Hotel

The hotel is located in front of the canal du Vassé and the Pont des Amours, it is the ideal place to visit the city center and the Christmas market. You can also stroll along the lakefront in the Jardins de l'Europe and discover the many restaurants nearby.

From 122 € per night.

The Pelican

5 minutes walk from the Christmas market, this new establishment is located in front of the lake. You will have access to an oyster bar, a brunch, a bakery and DJ sets in the evening. All 101 rooms are decorated in a sleek contemporary style.
From 152 € per room.

Rivage Hotel & Spa Annecy

Recently opened in 2021, this beautiful hotel is located in front of the beach of Albigny. The facilities are very complete: fitness area and the largest spa in Annecy on 1,000 m² with Scandinavian sauna. The Annecy-le-Vieux Christmas market is 10 minutes away on foot.
From €201 per room.

Hotel de Bonlieu

In the heart of the city, this hotel allows you to visit the 3 Christmas markets of the city located at 5 mn on foot. The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and an integrated bathroom. Many good restaurants are nearby.
From 143 € per night.

You can also check out our complete list of hotels in Annecy for your stay.

Sanitary measures

The city of Annecy indicates on its website dedicated to the Alps Christmas: “Whatever the health situation at the time, the City and the service provider will adapt the conditions of reception of the public according to the requests of the Prefecture in this matter“. At this date, the following sanitary measures are in force for the Christmas Market of Annecy :

  • Sanitary pass required to eat on site
  • No health pass for takeaway
  • Obligation to wear a mask for children over 11 years old

By prefectural decision of December 22, 2021, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited on the Christmas markets between 6 pm and 6 am.