GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The 2013 carnaval season is upon us. Brace yourself for the never-ending brass band parades, Guggen (masked performers) and cow bells (no bikini-clad dancers here).

Although there is no Carnival in Geneva, a number of towns around Lake Geneva have scheduled carnivals for late February and early March, including a Venetian carnival in Annecy.

The Basel Fasnacht is billed as the largest in Switzerland, starting at 04:00 the Monday after Ash Wednesday and lasting “exactly 72 hours”. Read GenevaLunch’s ultimate survival guide before heading to Basel (you’ll need it).

Carnival in Switzerland is all about the brass – Photo Ellen Wallace

Here is the ultimate 2013 carnival, carnevale, carnaval, karneval or fasnacht list: get your Guggen on!

Read more…

Le Labyrinthe modern dance at the TPG bus depot in Geneva Photo Antigel Festival ©Xavier Ripolles

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It’s mid-winter, time to stray-off the beaten path, time to “blur the boundaries between art forms, and open up new artistic horizons”, at least that is how the Antigel arts festival describes its programme.

The prime Geneva alternative festival seeks to bring the performing arts onto alternative stages: hammams, top of buildings, under bridges, bus depots, vineyards and construction sites – to name but a few - in 20 communes in the canton.

At the Bains de Paquis – Photo Antigel Jean-Christophe ARAV

Boucing Universe in a Bulk by Eric Arnal Burtschy – Photo Antigel ©Jean-Christophe Arav

The festival can only be described as alternative Geneva at its best.

Shows for everyone, including families with kids.

Yearly from late January to early February.

Hurry, the 2013 season ends 10 February.

Dancing at a construction site – Photo Artgenève Antigel Xavier Ripolles

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva’s quaint outdoor ice skating rink at Bastions Park (city center) is hosting a fun weekend outdoors.

On 25 January, Swiss Christophe Geissler, one of the world’s top eight lumberjack sports athletes will be facing a massive piece of ice to create an ice sculpture. Show begins at 18:00.

Then on 27 January, from 14:00 to 17:00 it is disco time. Get your fun on the ice (almost) for free. Skate rentals are only CHF2.

The ice skating rink is open until 24 February including Sundays.

For more information on activities, renting the rink and schedules, click here.

Find all other ice skating rinks in Geneva and Lausanne in one of my previous posts here.

Also visit our Events page to find out about the latest details of the second edition of the Geneva Ski Cup which begins on 26 January.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – With a few more days of good weather ahead of us -fingers crossed- lots of people are still hitting the river banks to bask in the sun.

One of the "beaches" by the Rhone in Geneva

One of the boats that travel through Geneva's Rhone

Although the awesome Green Library has closed its doors (see photos below), people are still making use of the great new “river beaches” by the Jonction (next to the Sujet Bridge) to enjoy the weather.

Ah… and barbecuing is allowed.

Here’s to a great Sunday!

Photos of the Green Library (Librarie au vert à la pointe de la Jonction) and the Rhone

At the Green Library in Geneva DJs keep the vibe cool

At the open Green Library in Geneva food is served for CHF10

The Green Library in Geneva we hope to see you back next summer

Although illegal, many people still jump off bridges to enjoy swimming in the Rhone

Beach by the Rhone River in Geneva

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This is the view at the La ville est a vous in Charmilles on 9 Sepetmber 2012 – The neighborhood flea markets in Geneva go on until 30 September

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The neighborhood flea markets better known as La-Ville-est-a-Vous fairs are back from their summer hiatus bringing music, food and cheap second-hand items to Geneva neighborhoods.

The fun parties go on until 30 September, plenty of kids activities. Check out the schedules here.

Here’s one more idea for what to do on those lonely Sundays in Geneva.

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Free tours of the hydro-electric in Vessy, canton Geneva - Photo SIG

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Here’s a resource for those of you with kids in town this summer. Take them for a free tour of the mini-hydroelectric power station in Vessy, canton Geneva.

Inaugurated in May 2007, the “micro-hydro,” as is known in French, is powered by two turbines that coupled with a few generators produce 1.7 GWh per year, enough to power about 500 households in the canton.

Nestled at the entrance of the Arve River, the power station was first born as a water pumping mill in 1865. It supplied water to Bessinge and Chêne-Bougerie for over 100 years.

Visit free of charge the last Thursday of the month until September (28 June, 26 July, 30 August, 27 September). The tour, which is given entirely in French, begins at 17:00 and lasts 1:30.

Recommended for those 10 years old and up but not accessible for people with reduced mobility. Flat shoes are advised.

For more information e-mail: contact@espacevessy.ch or call +41 (0) 22 420 75 75.

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Fun at the nuit de la science, take your kids now or wait until 2014!

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Spend an evening of hands-on science activities at the Perle-du-Lac Park in Geneva on 7 and 8 July.

The Nuit de la science, is a bi-annual popular event organized by the Museum of History of Science since 2000.

Visitors speak directly with scientists and learn in the simplest, and funnest, of terms about the latest research at the University of Geneva and Lausanne’s EPFL.

There are so many fun activities for kids and grown ups alike that it is well worth a visit.

Saturday until midnight, and Sunday 8 July from 13:00 to 21:00.

And as usual on these events, take your bike or the TPG as parking is extremely limited.

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The 2012 flyer for the CineTransat in Geneva

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If this is your first summer in Geneva, cheer up, the city in summer is nothing like the rest of the year, there are loads of things happening.

First in my list of free fun events this summer is CinéTransat or free outdoor films by the lake. A chance to watch a movie under the stars while enjoying one of the city’s best outdoor scenery – Lake Geneva.

This city-sponsored fest hits the Perle du Lac park for its fourth year, offering a six week run of mostly popular and classic flicks like Flashdance or the cult 1942 romantic film Casablanca. Get there early with your crew to nab a prime picnicking spot  (kids are welcome).

One of CineTransat attractions are the thematic eves such as (see if you can match the theme to the right movie): the 60′s, Drag Queen eve, night surfing, princes and princesses, sci-fi and more.

In case of rain, CinéTransat is canceled. Here’s the 2012 film list: Read more…

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – One of my weekend pastimes in Geneva has been discovering museums in the city, and while there is much debate on whether or not Geneva has world-quality museums, I find there is plenty of room for discussion and plenty to see.

Here’s the deal, entry to permanent collections in all of the municipal museums (14 in total) is free of charge, all year round.

Entry to temporary exhibitions is free of charge on the first Sunday of the month in all 14 municipal museums, or about CHF5-CHF10 other days.

List of the free, public museums in Geneva

Centre d'Art en l'Ile, a former market now houses art and video installations - Photo ©Jared Bloch

Read more…

Swimming in Lake Annecy in neighboring France

ANNECY, FRANCE – Kayaking, sailing, rowing, climbing, orienteering, mountain biking and exploring the beautiful outdoors are some of the summer sports activities offered for free by the city of Annecy in neighboring France.

450 spots are offered, primarily for Annecy kids, and to other children willing to engage in fitness activities this summer.

Outings are offered to children aged 5 to 14.

Find all the information for a fun, outdoor summer here.

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