30 Things to Do in Geneva This Winter to Distract You From the Cold

Winter has settled in, and it’s cold. What is there to do in Geneva during this season? Whether you prefer to hide inside until the frost melts, or whether filling your lungs with crisp winter air energizes you like nothing else, Le Colibry has lots of ideas to occupy your time when you aren’t off skiing. Even during the winter, Geneva and other nearby towns are full of fun possibilities. Take a look!

Le Colibry’s Favorite Winter Activities and Events

1. Feed your curiosity – attend a free class open to the public, offered by the University of Geneva
Interested in learning about the latest scientific developments, or new historical discoveries that could change what we know about the world we live in? Sit in on one of the many classes open to the public, offered by the various colleges at UNIGE (Science, Economy, Law, Humanities, etc.)
Course schedule: unige.ch. Classes start Monday, February 17, 2020.

2. Lace up your ice skates and wake up your inner Elsa or Anna 
For many families, cold weather = ice skating, and the temporary ice rinks in Geneva are finally open. My favorites: the rink in Parc des Bastions, because brunch is waiting for you right next door at the Parc des Bastions Café and Restaurant, and the one in Carouge, because it’s in such a charming and walkable neighborhood.
Parc des Bastions skating rink: open until February 23, 2020, ville-geneve.ch; Carouge skating rink: open until February 23, 2020, carouge.ch

3. Marvel at Geneva’s festival of lights
Take a nighttime stroll and see Geneva in a whole new light during this weeklong event. New light installations are added every year, and this year there are over 25 illuminated works of art all over the city center.
Good to know: guided tours will take place January 24, 25, 30 and 31 as well as Saturday, February 1st, 2020. Starting time: 5:00 p.m. at the Geneva Tourist Information Office, 18 Rue du Mont-Blanc. Duration: 2 hours. Reservations: +41 (0)22 909 70 00, 15 Swiss francs per person, free for children under 11.  More info: January 24 – February 2. genevalux.ch

4. Run through Geneva’s parks all day and into the night at the 5th annual Antigel Race: circuits and events for runners and fans of all ages and all levels of athleticism! For more info and to register: antigelrun.ch

5. Experience Bolchoi Ballet without a plane ticket to Moscow
You’ll feel like you’re in Moscow when you’re watching the Bolshoi Ballet productions at Geneva’s Pathé Balexert movie theater. The ballet shows by one of the world’s most renowned classical dance companies, founded in 1776, are filmed specifically for the big screen and are streamed live. January 26 production: Giselle. More info: pathelive.com – 4:00 p.m. showtime

And don’t miss: the Royal Opera House Ballet of London’s rendition of Sleeping Beauty (La Belle au Bois Dormant), which will be live-streamed at the Le City movie theater in Eaux-Vives on January 16. More info: les-scala.ch

You can also catch the ballet Giselle live at the Théâtre du Léman, info and tickets: January 20, theatreduleman.ch

6. Brush up on your contemporary art knowledge in an Art Now! class taught by Frédéric Elkaïm
Choose your class: One Drink, One Contemporary Artist (Un verre, un artiste contemporain) at Café Slatkine starting January 15, The Enfant Terribles of Contemporary Art! (Les enfants terribles de l’art contemporain !) at the Espace L gallery starting February 7, Experimental Cinema and Video Art (Cinéma expérimental et vidéo d’art) at the Analix Forever gallery, starting February 20. More info: art-now.ch

7. Practice healing and relaxation to the tune of Tibetan singing bowls
Fabienne Dufour was trained in singing bowl therapy by a Nepalese master, and now she offers uniquely relaxing experiences to clients in Geneva! More info: myelementstudio.com, upcoming sessions on January 10 and February 9, 2020.

8. Unwind after work at Apéropera, at the Grand Théâtre de Genève
A themed happy hour unlike any other, and the perfect opportunity to discover (or rediscover) different composers, operas, and more. What could be better than music, dance, and a refreshing spritz?
Upcoming dates: January 23, February 27, March 23. More info: gtg.ch

9. Go on a getaway to Megève and try out its newest hotspots

• Warm up after a ski day at Les Voiles Megève, Les Voiles has hopped across the border from Geneva for its first season in Megève.  More info: voilesmegeve.com
• One last drink at Soleil d’Or, a recently renovated 5-star hotel and rooftop bar with views of the whole town of Megève, plus a chocolate café on the ground floor, and a restaurant on the 2nd. lesoleildor-megeve.fr
• Dinner and more at the Saint-Amour farm, a new place for you to spend your evenings in Megève. The historical building was completely renovated and transformed into a restaurant, whose menu was developed by Eric Fréchon. lafermesaintamour.com
• Refuel at L’Epicerie des Fermes, a gourmet grocery store on the Place des Cinq Rues recently acquired by Les Fermes de Marie, where you’ll find charcuterie, cheese and other fresh foods.

10. Brunch at the Grand Théatre de Genève: six Sundays per season, the Grand Théâtre de Genève hosts a musical brunch in its ballroom. Reservations required. More info: gtg.ch, next brunch: February 23, 2020.

11. Get new headshots taken, because isn’t it about time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Claire Morin is warm and makes her subjects feel comfortable, which is key to getting a shot that showcases your true self. In addition to private photography sessions, Morin offers café-portrait days, where you can take home 3 retouched HD photos for 75 Swiss francs. More info: www.bambooproductions.net, next session is on January 20 in Lausanne.

12. Get your tickets for the next Antigel Festival – January 24 to February 15. Music, shows, events, rising stars and legends of rock, folk, and electronic music – there’s something for everyone at Antigel. Make sure it’s on your calendar. Full schedule and more info: antigel.ch

13. Eat local and seasonally, a good resolution to try this January
Le Colibry scoped out two spots to help you stick to it: L’Arcade, in Eaux-Vives, and Le Bocal Local, near the train station. Plus, here’s a list that the City of Geneva put together of restaurants that feature locally-sourced cuisine: ville-geneve.ch

14. Try to win a Picasso painting for 100€ and support a good cause
Non-profit online raffle benefits CARE, an international NGO. A winner will be drawn on March 30, 2020. Le Colibry already has her ticket… More info and tickets: 1picassopour100euros.com

15. Savor Moroccan flavors at Kasbar
Deliciously spicy, modern, and beautifully presented cuisine by chef Nasser Jeffane. Le Colibry recommends: the traditional chicken pastilla – a delight for the eye and the palate – the smoked eggplant zaalouk salad, and the vegetable briouats. Jeffane’s food is made for sharing, so bring good company. More info: 23 Rue Henri Blanvalet, 1207 Geneva. kasbar-restaurant.com

16. Get hip to the latest trends even if you weren’t invited to Fashion Week
If you missed Fashion Week, watching Mademoiselle Agnès’s show, La Nouvelle Mode, will get you up to speed. The latest episode is all about the event’s highlights and will tell you everything you need to know about the Paris fashion scene. Watch it here (in French)

17. Take a musical lunch break at Victoria Hall with Midis de l’OSR
OSR (Orchestre de la Suisse Romande) is putting on a lunchtime general public concert series. Bonus points: musicologist and France Musique producer Corinne Schneider will provide commentary about the pieces you hear. More info: osr.ch, Thursday January 16, February 13, and April 2, 2020. 20 Swiss francs (standard ticket price).

18. Learn to paint with artist Gaëlle Mot
Gaëlle teaches oil painting in her studio at Atelier du Square. Create a beautiful landscape on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00. 325 Swiss francs for 4 classes, materials included. 4 Rue François Bonivard, 1201 Geneva. More info: gaellemot.com

19. Plant trees while you surf the web
It’s possible, with the search engine Ecosia. It’s easy to install on any computer or mobile device (which account for about 80% of our searches). How does it work? Ecosia plants trees, and all you have to do is surf the web as usual. One tree is planted for roughly every 45 searches. Keep track of how many trees they’ve planted on your behalf in the top right corner of your screen. Bonus points: Ecosia is 100% powered by renewable energy, won’t sell your data to advertisers, and doesn’t use third-party trackers. More info: ecosia.org

20. Have brunch or a snack at Marcel: try their brioche French toast dripping with caramel or their waffles or pancakes with maple syrup, and if you prefer savory brunch, go for the eggs Benedict. Opens at 10:00 a.m. every day, even the weekend. 3 Rue des Eaux-Vives, 1207 Geneva. restaurantmarcel.ch

21. Immerse yourself in David Lachapelle’s world at Galerie des Bains, Radiance, the first solo exposition by the American-born artist features some of his most iconic photographs. Open until January 25, 2020, galeriedesbains.ch

22. Spend an evening at the theatre, it’s easy to find a play, a venue, and a date that works for you at letheatreetmoi.ch, a website that lists all of the theatrical productions happening around Geneva.

23. Catch a flick at 17 Rue de la Corraterie, an upscale movie theater where the seats are comfortable leather recliners, where you are a comfortable distance from your neighbors, and where you can set your favorite drinks down on your personal tablet. It’s definitely worth at least one trip!  cine17.ch
and for an even more festive night out, enjoy a live stream of a New York Metropolitan Opera performance and a glass of champagne

24. Feel like you’re in the tropics without leaving town, as you wander through the tropical greenhouses at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The warm climate and plant species from five different continents will make you feel miles away from Geneva, at least for an hour or two. More info: cjb.ch

25. Make a donation to AIDE, a Swiss charity
Club AIDE is a humanitarian aid organization whose volunteers travel to Togo every year to work on projects that support development, such as access to clean water. More info: clubaide.ch

26. Get around with Lymo, a Geneva-based service for independent drivers, taxi drivers, and riders. It’s a ride-hailing marketplace where drivers decide their rates, and clients choose a ride based on price, vehicle type, and driver scores. Riders get where they need to be for less money, and drivers benefit from the system, too. Le Colibry tested and approved! Download the Uber-style app for your phone. More info: lymo.com

27. Get your fill of delicious Swiss cheese fondue, “moitié-moitié” style. If you haven’t had it yet (or if you just don’t know what the two “moitiés” are), this type of fondue is made with both Gruyère and Vacherin cheese. Find out where you’re most likely to spot Le Colibry this winter: My 3 Favorite Fondue Restaurants, one happens to be on the left bank, one is on the right, and one is right on the water…

28. Get as close to the sun as possible
When the skies in Geneva are cloudy and gray and you long to feel the sun’s rays on your face, head up to the top of Mont Salève. From Geneva, take the #8 bus to Veyrier Douane, then walk 5 minutes to the cable car station, get your ticket, and enjoy the ride and the view. If you like to hike, there are some lovely, snowy trails to explore. More info: the cable car starts running again on January 25. telepherique-du-saleve.com and bureaumontagnesaleve.com.

29. Discover the creations at the Art Genève expo – January 30 to February 2 – Palexpo
Contemporary and modern abstract art lovers will especially enjoy this salon, which will feature an excellent lineup of over 90 exhibitors. This year, video art will take center stage. More info: artgeneve.ch

30. Get warm all the way to your bones at Bain Bleu
With it’s warm baths, hammam, and spa, it’s the only place to be when the cold settles in and the wind starts picking up! You can even get a tarot card reading at the hammam café  January 14-21 and 28. 30 Swiss francs for a 10-15 minute session. Good to know: Tuesdays are reserved for women.

31. Attend the L’avenir de Notre Avenir lecture series at the Société de Lecture
the lineup includes:
L’imaginaire de demain by Hervé de Crécy, who has created album art, ad campaigns (for Louis Vuitton, Audi, and Nike), and directed music videos (2002 MTV award) and short films (Logorama, which won an Oscar for Best Animated Short in 2010).  February 20
Futur de l’habitat by Maryline Andersen, a former associate professor at MIT and Dean of the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering of EPFL, and the first woman to with the Daylight Award for Research in 2016. She is passionate about light, and her research focuses on how to optimize daylight in buildings. March 12

Or, hear your favorite author speak: Amelie Nothomb on January 28, Leïla Slimani and Laurent Gaudé on April 2

There’s a special story time for kids (includes a snack) on Wednesday afternoons, too: Les contes du Chat Perché (February 26), Memory Végétal (March 25).
More info: www.societe-de-lecture.ch

32. Take to the Swiss skies at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Château-d’Oex 
The 42nd annual festival will feature demonstrations, air shows, competitions and other events, and of course the opportunity to go up in a balloon. It’s a bit expensive (390 Swiss francs for adults and 145 for kids 14 and younger) but it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Don’t miss the light show, during which balloons will be lit up and choreographed to music.
More info: January 25 – February 2, chateau-doex.ch – 6 Place du Village, 1660 Château-d’Oex (2 hours from Geneva by car).

33. Learn something new from a podcast
Pick one you like and find some time to dive into a good podcast, whether it’s during your walk to work or while you’re getting ready in the morning. There are many, many to choose from, on topics like art, economics, literature, music, and science. My favorites right now include: Les Chemins de la Philosophie by Adèle Van Reeth (the 4 episodes about Nietzsche, in particular), Femmes Puissantes by Léa Salamé (especially the interviews with Elisabeth Badinter, Christiane Taubira and Anne Méaux).

MISCELLANEOUS

• Warm up at a cozy tearoom: here’s a list of my favorite spots
• Prepare to be amazed during the Vive la Magie gala magic show at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices from February 29 to March 1st
• Do some deep thinking at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights from March 6-15
• Live in harmony with nature at the Green Film Festival from March 23 to April 5
• Learn about music and dance from around the world with your kids (2-10 years old) at the Ramdamjam Festival at Geneva’s Ethnography Museum, March 21 and 22. Shows, stories, creative workshops, and music during breakfast
• Get some fresh air during a walk around the lake, the views never get old… here’s my favorite walking route
• See Zazie in concert at the Thonex community center on February 2, get tickets at ticketcorner.ch