Christmas in Méribel

Christmas in Méribel, enjoy the great festive ambience around the resort. Smell the mulled wine in the air, maybe even grab a cup and join in the many activities, parades, concerts and shows around the resort. Christmas markets, meeting Santa and enjoying the traditional foods eaten in France over Christmas, platters of seafood and oysters, foie gras and chocolate!

Sunday 21 December

The festivities will begin with Christmas carols performed by Mademoiselle Faustine. A fabulous singer with retro-jazz influences, she will entertain you from 18:30 until 19:15. Get ready to sing, dance and let yourself be carried away by a festive, elegant and decidedly rock “n” roll concert, in a glamorous atmosphere worthy of the golden years. 
Venue: Place Maurice Front – Méribel Centre. 

Monday 22 December

The celebrations will continue from 13:00 with the Christmas Diamonds parade - a troupe of sparkling singers enchanting the streets with the rhythm of the greatest Christmas classics. You can then find them again in Méribel Centre from 16:30.
Venue: The snow-front, Méribel Mottaret then Méribel Centre.

16:00 - the Spicy Men will get the streets of Méribel dancing to the sound of New Orleans jazz! You can also catch them later from 18:30. Let yourself be carried away with the great classics of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and many others.
Venue: the Mottaret shopping area, then at the Carrousel in Méribel Centre. 

This fun-filled day will end with the show ‘Le Noël Magique’ (The Magical Christmas) from 18:00 at the Méribel Centre Auditorium. Follow Wendy, a mischievous heroine, on an adventure to recover her memory and her powers! She will take you on an epic journey to the North Pole, filled with fascinating encounters and fantastical creatures. With enchanting costumes, songs, acrobatics and interactive moments, this show is a real invitation to dream as a family. 
Venue: Auditorium – 27 place Maurice Front – Méribel Centre.

Tuesday 23 December

The festivities continue on Christmas Eve! From 13:00 join the brass band ‘Les Ptits Loups’ for a musical retelling of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Be swept away by this festive and colourful parade, where little girls wearing hoods and wolves share a beautiful friendship. Here, there are no winners or losers: everyone has their place. A powerful, joyful and uplifting message: what matters is being together. 
Venue: Snow front – Méribel Mottaret, from 16:30 – Méribel Centre.

From 18:00 come and discover Philippe and Olivia Candeloro’s latest ice show: La Fille du Marchand de Sable (The Sandman’s Daughter). This modern fairy tale takes you into the world of dreams and Father Christmas, combining figure skating, dance and visual staging. La Fille du Marchand de Sable sur Glace is a 75-minute show, suitable for all audiences, from the youngest to the oldest.
Venue: Ice rink – Parc Olympique – 510 route Albert Gaçon – Méribel Centre. 

Christmas Eve - Wednesday 24 December

Father Christmas himself will be waiting to see you from 17.30 until 18:15, meet him as he arrives by horse-drawn carriage in Méribel Centre. Pulled by his reindeer Gustave, he will be accompanied by his elves: the mischievous Elfyzarines. 
Venue: Snow front – La Chaudanne – Méribel Centre.

In Mottaret, from 17:30 until 18:15, Father Christmas will be surrounded by Bulles de Bonheur, enchanting and magical stilt walkers. With its blend of light and music, this illuminations parade will delight young and old alike before Christmas Eve. 
Venue: Snow-front – La Grenouillère – Méribel Mottaret. 

Christmas Day - Thursday 25 December

BONA NÈVE! (Merry Christmas in Savoyard). Come and say goodbye to Father Christmas, who will be waiting for you at the Chaudanne snow front. His departure will be followed by a torchlight descent and fireworks. What a wonderful way to wish him a happy return and say: see you next year! From 17:30 to 19:00. 
Venue: Snow-front – La Chaudanne – Méribel Centre. 

To prepare you for your French Christmas, here are a few festive facts that make the French Santa Claus a little different:

• Rather than a red hat, Père Noël wears a red cloak with a hood trimmed in white fur - a small difference easily unnoticed.
• Children do not wake up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning, because traditionally Père Noël brings toys to good little boys and girls after evening Mass on Christmas Eve.
• Children do not leave milk and cookies for Papa Noël, but at the very least they'll leave him a glass of Calvados or wine.
• Children do not hang stockings, but rather leave their shoes and slippers out and if they have been good Père Noël will fill them with treats.
• Children in France behave around the holidays out of fear of Le Père Fouettard, who follows Père Noël to discipline naughty children.