Hello loves and Happy December! Here is your curated list of events and activities for families in Lausanne and the nearby region for December 2024.
The “Family Fun” includes events for the kids and/or the entire family and the “Mum having fun” includes events where you can go to have fun and recharge on your own, with your girlfriends or with your partner.
Read on to find interesting events and activities for you and your family in Lausanne in December 2024.
But first…
#Tip: December tends to be a very busy month, probably the busiest of all. This list is not meant to make you feel overwhelmed but rather give you an overview of a variety of activities, so you can choose those that speak to you. Sounds good?
And a very important message I would like to share here:
DONATE A GIFT
My dearest friend Rania who lives in Lausanne with her family, is gathering gifts for children battling cancer at CHUV. Rania has been doing this for a few years now, after having this experience with her son. Here is her message:
“If you’d like to participate, all you need to do is
- buy a gift suitable for a child aged 2 to 12,
- wrap it beautifully and
- contact me here so I can arrange to pick it up before 20th December.
Thank you so much for spreading a little joy this holiday season!”
FAMILY FUN
SWIMMING
Vaudoise Arena swimming pool: if you are wondering which is the best indoor pool in Lausanne, then search no more. Although be warned, water temperature might not be ideal for recreational swimming (this is the case for most swimming pools in Lausanne). Sometimes there are special events organised like pool parties – check on the website for more info (and for days/times when the pool is closed because of an event!)
Mon Repos swimming pool
Recently renovated, Mon Repos swimming pool is also a favorite place for families to go and have some fun. It’s more centrally located and easier to reach than Vaudoise arena and next to Doki Doki, a great Japanese restaurant where you can hear for lunch afterwards.
EVENTS
Bô Noël
The 10th edition of the Christmas market in Lausanne includes numerous activities and special events. On their website you will find detailed information – search for the column “Children’s Village”. The kid’s programme includes pony rides, stories and crafting activities. This year you will find the Ferris Wheel at Plateforme 10. Another event that caught my attention on the schedule is the candle lighting which is organized for the 7th and 21st December on the Central Street (from 5 pm).
When: 20th November – 31st December 2024
Christmas Run Lausanne
This event is gaining more popularity every year. It could be a fun activity to do as a family or for your kids only (depending on the age). You have to register in advance.
When: 14th December 2024
Where to stay in Lausanne, Switzerland
Activities to do in Lausanne, Switzerland
How to Get There – Check Flights to Lausanne, Switzerland
Christmas at Chillon Castle
Think of festive decorations, traditional crafts, historical reenactments and activities for all ages: an ideal day out as a family celebrating Christmas at this popular medieval castle. You can combine your visit here with a visit to Montreux’s Christmas market.
When: 7-8 & 14-15 December
Tip: reservations are highly recommended for this event
Titanic Immersive Experience
When: 27.09.2024 – 26.01.2024
Where: Beaulieu
MUSEUMS
MCBA Cantonal museum of fine arts museum – Family activities
The MCBA (Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts-Cantonal Museum of fine arts) in Plateforme 10, organises various activities for families and their kids: art workshops, discovery booklets and family tours (in French, from ages 6-7). You can find all the events on the website.
These events tend to be sold out, so you should better book well in advance.
Kids and families’ events – https://www.mcba.ch/en/kids-and-company/
Olympic Museum – Family Activities
There is always something interesting going on in one of the most popular museums in the city. In December, check out the temporary exhibition “Paris Olympique: An Immersive Journey” (free entry), and “Fashion and Sport: From one podium to another”, (entry ticket 9 CHF per adult).
Tip: The TOM café and restaurant is always worth a visit while you are there!
THEATRE & CINEMA
Le Petit Theatre (french)
A great place to take your kids. Most of the spectacles are in French. Tickets tend to get sold out very quickly, but I have found that it’s worth checking for last-minute availability either via email, phone or at the theatre before the show starts.
Ticket: 15 CHF (kid or adult)
Théâtre de marionnettes de Lausanne
Ticket: 13 CHF (kid or adult)
Website – https://www.marionnettes-lausanne.ch/
La Lanterne Magique & La Petite Lanterne – Cinema for kids
La Lanterne Magique is a cinema club for kids (6-12 years old) where they can watch 9 different movies every year along with their friends. For the younger kids (4-6 years old), La Petite Lanterne is a similar concept but the kids watch the movie with their parents (or an accompanying adult). Tickets tend to go quickly so it’s best to register in advance.
Ages: La Lanterne Magique: 6-12 years old, La Petite Lanterne: 4-6 years old
Where: Cinema Pathé Flon 3, Rue du Port-Franc 16, CH-1003 Lausanne
Ticket: 10 CHF
Websites – https://www.lanterne-magique.org/ & https://www.petitelanterne.org/
Cinema for families at La Cinémathèque Suisse (Cine-Familles)
This curated movie programme invites families to discover a movie at the cinema once per month. In the end, the kids receive a kit with activities for further discussions based on the movies. Each movie has a suggested minimum age for the kids (details on the schedule).
Where: La Cinémathèque Suisse, Cinéma Capitole, Avenue du Théâtre 6, 1005 Lausanne
When: Once per month from September 2024 to May 2025
Organised by: La Cinémathèque Suisse and the Festival Cinema Jeune Public (https://festivalcinemajeunepublic.ch/)
Ticket: 7 CHF for kids under 12 years old, 15 CHF for adults
SHOPPING
Second-hand toys Market at Flon – Bourse aux Jouets
A great opportunity for kids to sell their toys and find new treasures.
When & Where: 14th December, 13:30 – 16.00, Flon
Tip: you need to register here contact@amisduchibre.ch
For more ideas on what to do during winter with your kids in Lausanne read the article Family-Friendly Lausanne in Winter .
Where to stay in Lausanne, Switzerland
Activities to do in Lausanne, Switzerland
How to Get There – Check Flights to Lausanne, Switzerland
MUM HAVING FUN
New – Les Bains de Rives – Winter baths in Bellerive
The instructions on the website say it all “take two towels with you, one for swimming and one for the sauna. Avoid towels that are too thin! ” Are you ready for a challenge? Here you can enjoy the stunning setting of the lakeside along with the benefits of cold water swimming.
Where: near Bellerive swimming pool
When: opening 11th December (until 31st March)
Tip: reservations required
Lake Geneva Cruise
Relax on a scenic boat ride as you take in the breathtaking views of the Alps and the lake.
Check the 3 hour riviera and Lavaux region cruise here.
Day cruise to Thonon-les-Bains in France & Christmas market visit
From Lausanne you can book this cruise & visit to the Christmas market in Thonon-les-Bains. This day trip includes a 50-minute boat trip from Lausanne to Thonon-les-Bains, a one-hour long guided tour, and 4 hours of free time to visit the Christmas market.
Luna Yoga
This yoga studio in the centre of Lausanne organises interesting events every month, apart from the regular yoga and meditation schedule. P.S. They also have mindfulness & yoga courses for kids!
Breathwork by Grace Chinn – Online sessions and live events
Grace organises various Breathwork events both online and offline, often in collaboration with other wellbeing practitioners. Worth checking out.
Disclaimer: Grace is a friend of mine, and I only recommend people and services that I believe you would enjoy.
Yoga Events by Clélia Vuille
Clélia Vuille is a dancer and yoga teacher currently based in Lausanne.
She often organises fun events like Sunday mornings with yoga & brunch and it’s worth checking her Instagram for her upcoming schedule.
Le Petit Secheron, Lully
Christelle and her family have created a unique farm – community space and her yoga events in nature is on my bucket list.
They also organise various other events on the farm worth checking out such as camps for the kids or live music events and more.
Upcoming event: Yoga and meditation, 14th December, at the Lully Community Hall
Read more about Le Petit Secheron and the interview with Christelle here.
Photography Exhibition at CHUV – MLEKO by Jagoda Wiśniewska
Recently, I had the pleasure to listen to photographer Jagoda Wiśniewska speaking about her creative process during a Creative Morning event and I found it very inspiring. Jagoda Wiśniewska’s latest project is called “MLEKO” – a project about the maternal milk which will be presented through photographs and through interviews with mothers.
Where: CHUV, MAT Lausanne
When: 29.10.2024 at 17.30 (until 30 September 2025)
Cinema – watch a movie at Cinematheque Suisse (Capitol Cinema)
Check the schedule and go watch a movie on your own or with a friend.
Brasserie de Montbenon Events
Not only is this a great venue for dining out, but they also organise some cool events so check them out. In December they also organise their 10 years anniversary party which will be held at DOCKS, with concerts, DJs and other surprises.
https://www.brasseriedemontbenon.ch/
Did I miss any interesting events happening in Lausanne during this period? Let me know and I will be happy to add it!
Where to stay in Lausanne, Switzerland
Activities to do in Lausanne, Switzerland
How to Get There – Check Flights to Lausanne, Switzerland
Reminder: this column is not intended to make you feel overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. Instead, my goal is to help you have an overview of interesting events that are coming up and pick one or two that you would like to experience as a family or alone.
Are you visiting Lausanne soon and want to know which are the best places to explore with your young kids? Are you new to the city and eager to discover its charms with your family? Check out my ebook – 48 hours in Lausanne, A Guide for Families with Young Kids which consists of a 2-day itinerary and practical tips on local life.
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