WHAT TO DO THIS NEW YEARS EVE IN GENEVA
by Alana Dunsmore
Geneva may not be known for its parties like New York City or London but there are still many exciting options to ring in the New Year. From costume parties to free fireworks – there’s something for everyone this year (including singles, couples and families to celebrate the start of 2020!
FIREWORKS BY THE LAC
For the 5th consecutive year, The City of Geneva invites you to celebrate New Year’s Eve along the Quai du Mont-Blanc in a festive and cosmopolitan atmosphere. This year’s celebration includes fireworks, food, live concerts and DJ sets all coming together under the theme of equality and diversity. This year’s evening program is organised by a group of three women.
There will be music performers who have chosen songs related to one of three cities; Brussels, London or Geneva. Each city will be represented at one of the three stages located along the Quai du Mont-Blanc.
Keeping with the tradition there will be fireworks at midnight, illuminating the harbour. Following the fireworks, the Mayor of Geneva, Mrs. Sandrine Salerno, will say a few words about woman and diversity, as well as women as decision makers.
Stages, food and drinks representing culinary and cultural tastes from all three cities will be positioned along the Quai Du Mont-Blanc in different locations. Refer to the map for specific locations of food/drink stands.
This is a free event.
Program for December 31, 2019
Stage: Brussels
9:00 PM:
Lyna- Smooth R’n’b
10:00 PM:
Youn Tawbari, Taste and Orlando- Hip Hop, Trap
11:00 PM:
Eddy Ape, Hip Hop, trap
12:15 AM:
Princess Flor, Urban Dancehall, Afro
Stage: Geneva
9:00 PM:
Janeen, Old School Hip Hop
11:00 PM and 2 AM:
Ka(ra)mi and Friends, Afro- Caribbean Vibes
12:15 AM:
Emilie Nana, 90s House
Stage: London
9:30 PM:
Leila Moon, Raï’n’B, Electronic
11:30 PM:
House Gospel Choir, Classic and future House/gospel
1:15 AM:
Juba, Electronic Africa & Africian Diaspora
WHEN
December 31, 2019 9pm to 3 am
WHERE
Quai du Mont- Blanc, Geneva
MORE INFORMATION
EYES WIDE SHUT – Flanagan’s Pub
One of the most interesting sounding parties this year, will be at Flanagan’s Pub in the Old Town. The theme for Flanagan’s Pub New Year’s Eve celebration will be Eyes Wide Shut. There will be an optional special menu at (CHF69 per person), the film by Stanley Kubrick and DJ BMK. The dress code is… Eyes Wide Shut of course!
Price includes a welcome cocktail, appetisers and buffet dinner, but if you just want to come for the party entrance is free after 22.30.
Reservation required call 022 556 55 54.
COST
CHF69 for buffet dinner from 19.00.
Free entrance from 22.30
WHEN
7pm- 4am, December 31, 2019
WHERE
Rue du Cheval-Blanc 4
MORE INFO
SEE THE FIREWORKS FROM THE LAKE – on the Cheeseboat
Do you love fondue and you love the lake? We do and we love the idea of the cheeseboat – a brand new restaurant which opened this week! Forget chalet and cosy- this is a very different fondue experience.
The Cheeseboat will be open on New Year’s Eve and for a credit of CHF120 you can choose what you’d like off the menu, including drinks.
Situated right in front of the Kempinski – there can be no better spot to watch the fireworks from this year! BOOK NOW.
THE ATMOSPHERE – NOT COSY, CHALET!
We’re talking about a romantic, intimate dining experience on a 30-metre long vintage boat constructed in Vevey in 1960 with seating for 50 people and offering spectacular views of the illuminated lakeside area and lake. The boat is moored off the Quai du Mont Blanc opposite the Brunswick museum – between hotel Beau Rivage and Hotel de la Paix. You’ll easily spot it as it’s lit up and you can reach it through a public ladder.
We love the hip take on fondue eating – with black and white photographs around the interior of the boat of celebrities with famous quotes applied to fondue eating! \
CHAMPAGNE, WHISKY AND NON-ALCOHOLIC FONDUES
The menu comprises an impressive selection of fondues, including champagne, whisky, non-alcoholic and vegan fondue (lactose free cheese).
The cheese fondue is prepared (moitie-moitie) with cheese from Fribourg and Blanc-de-Blanc. Additions include herbs, rose petals, truffles or a 12-year-old whisky. It is served with chunks of black and white bread and starters include dried meat and pickled onions.
We tried the rose petal fondue, which was generous, creamy and lovely. The religieuse – the bit when they scrape off the last bits of cheese into a crust is prepared with scrambled egg = and is yummy.
Dessert options include lime cheesecake (we loved this), carrot cake or meringue with cream.
Fondue prices range from from CHF24 -34 for the fondue (200g per person) The drinks menu includes a wide variety of appetisers, wine, spirits, soft drinks and hot drinks. Group bookings can be made for 6 to 20 people.
The Cheeseboat is the result of a collaboration between two players on the Geneva nautical scene: Balthazar Witzig, owner of Genevaboats and Bérengère Claudé, manager of SWISSBOAT.
WHEN
From October till March, seven days a week from 19h till 23h.
WHERE
Nearby parking – Parking des Alpes, Rue Adhémar-Fabri and Hotel Kempinski – Rue de la Cloche. TPG stops – Rue du Mont Blanc – in both directions.
MORE INFO
Bookings can be made 7/7 – 12/24
by telephone on + 41 79 153 74 74
or via email:
ROCK YOUR WAY THROUGH NEW YEAR WITH GINJA BINJA
This year, Mr. Pickwicks Pub will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party. Bria will be presenting her new cover band project “Ginja Binja” for the first time in Switzerland. Sounds like a great place to ring in the New Year!
This is a free concert.
WHEN
Starting at 8:00 pm December 31, 2019
WHERE
Rue de Lausanne 80, Geneva
MORE INFO
CIRQUE DE NOËL
If you’re looking for a family-friendly event, Cirque de Noël in Plainpalais is returning for another year of performances.
Join the artists, dancers, clowns, acrobats and animals of the magnificent show. In addition to the show, there will also be a five-course meal.
COST
CHF160 adults and CHF95 children
WHEN
7pm December 31, 2019
WHERE
Cirque de Noël, Plainpalais
MORE INFORMATION
BURNING OF THE CATHEDRAL
Every year since 1904, friends and family of Lausanne gather together in the Cathedral Esplanade. Come join them in the friendly atmosphere and make sure you grab a glass of Champagne, mulled wine, tea or apple juice provided from the “Amis de la Cité” to help you celebrate a new year and watch the tower of the Cathedral light up!
WHEN
December 31, 2019
WHERE
Esplanade de la Cathedrale
MORE INFO
MIDNIGHT CONCERT IN THE CATHEDRAL
Before the cathedral is lighted up at midnight, there will be a concert held in the cathedral. Jean-Crhistophe Geiser, the church organist and Stefano Faggioni will perform a duo concert.
Make sure you visit the “Amis de la Cité” stand who invite you for a glass of champagne, mulled wine, tea or apple juice.
Seats can be booked beforehand with any monbillet.ch as well as calling the cathedral directly.
COST
25chf per person
WHEN
5:00pm and 10:30December 31, 2019
WHERE
Place de la Cathédrale, Lausanne
MORE INFO
BO NOËL- LAUSANNE
Looking for something a little different? Check out the open air but sheltered Silent Disco Giant DJ Show at Central Place, Lausanne.
Multiple DJ’s will be showcasing their talents but make sure you are there when the bell rings 12 o’clock for the surprise DJ!
Remember to book your headphones ahead of time as well as looking on the website to learn the full details of this event and all prices.
WHEN
Starting at 10pm until 2am December 31, 2019
WHERE
Central Place, Lausanne
MORE INFO
REVEILLON & PROHIBITION
If you feel like dressing up and heading to a party, we recommend Les Sales Grosses who will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration. DJ Lenny Jones and Val Percu will be providing the music. Costumes are highly recommended. Don’t forgot to use promo code LSG10 if you are heading to Mascarade store for your outfit! This year’s theme is 20s, crazy year!
Cost is free but it is recommended to call Les Sales Grosses to reserve your place.
WHEN
6:00pm-3:00 am, December 31, 2019
WHERE
Les Sales Gosses, Rue du Stand 36
MORE INFO
COMÉDIEDE LA GARE
If you are not in the mood to dance, but you still want to head out somewhere special for the New Year, then Comédie de la Gare might be the place for you. This year they offer three shows to choose from; “Restons Poly”, “I love love” or “The couple seriously harm health”. Refer to show listings for showtimes.
To make the evening a little more special they are providing a meal for an extra cost. For any food allergies you are asked to email before December 27, 2019.
NOTE: Performance is in French
COST
Show : 38 CHF
Dinner and Show : 98 CHF
WHEN
Shows starting from 7pm, December 31, 2019
WHERE
Rue de la Servette 2
MORE INFO
NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT WITH REGULA MÜHLEMANN
This will be the first New Year’s Eve in the beautifully recently renovated Grand Théâtre de Genève. If you haven’t seen it, perhaps this is the best excuse to go! The programme features the greatest hits of the classical repertoire and beloved arias. There will be a variety of singers, but all promise to bring you into the proper party mood for New Year’s Eve! If you don’t want the celebrations to end after the music, there is a gala dinner (for an additional fee) which will be held in the main foyer. The gala promises to provide everything you need to enter the third decade of the century!
Performance duration is 1h40 with one intermission
COST
Tickets starting at CHF17.
WHEN
7:30pm December 31, 2019
WHERE
Grand Théâtre de Genève
MORE INFO
MARCHÉ DE NOËL – PARC DES BASTIONS
If you are not particularly a big fan of New Year’s Eve, but you want to get outside, there is always the Christmas Market in Parc des Bastions which closes the next day.
Here you can wander through the aisles of the beautiful market, but don’t forgot to look up so you can admire the lights throughout the park adding to the magic of the season. Grab a glass of mulled wine to help keep you warm and maybe find a few food dishes that interest you among the stands featuring a variety of cuisines.
COST
Free Entry
WHEN
4-31 December 2019
WHERE
Parc des Bastion
MORE INFO
BAILAMOS
If you like Latin vibes, this is the event for you. Village Du Soir is hosting a Latin-themed party. There will be salsa, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia, and Brazilian hits. They promise some of the great classics with some current chart music as well. It should be a promising evening for all Latin lovers!
Check the website for all the details including prices. Prior registration is required.
COST
Refer to website
WHEN
12:300-7:00 am December 31, 2019
WHERE
Village du Soir
Route des Jeunes 24, Carouge
MORE INFO
MARVELLOUS NEW YEARS EVE
Entering a new decade; how magical. It’s only fitting to celebrate it in a magical setting. Village du Soir will provide a setting fitting for this occasion with raining confetti, performers, shows and their resident DJ’s. At this event they will showcase a variety of music from all different genres.
This event will take place in a 2500m2 space with three dance floors, decoration, food and performers.
Check website for all the details including prices. Prior registration is required.
COST
Refer to website
WHEN
Starting at 10pm- 7am December 31, 2019
WHERE
Village du Soir
Route des Jeunes 24, Carouge
MORE INFO
