For the 2026-2027 festive season, every village in the Pays du Mont-Blanc has its own highlights. In Megève, the great Christmas tree on the square is lit on 5 December, the Christmas Village opens from 21 to 31 December and Father Christmas parades in his sleigh on 24 December at 5.30pm; on the 31st, the ESF instructors ski down by torchlight to the Place du Village. Saint-Gervais is bathed in light from 23 to 31 December, while Combloux has not yet published its 2026 programme.
On the snow side, the general opening of the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area is announced for Saturday 19 December 2026, the first day of the French Christmas school holidays. Here, village by village, is what the tourist offices have confirmed, what comes back every year, and the HOMKA team’s advice for a stress-free festive season.
Megève: the village tree, the Christmas Village and torches on the 31st
Christmas in Megève, from the lit tree to Father Christmas’s sleigh
For more than fifty years, a majestic fir tree has stood on the Place du Village. Its lighting, on Saturday 5 December 2026 at 7.30pm, launches the winter season and the end-of-year celebrations; it is free to attend. Throughout the season, a sound and light show brings the tree to life every evening.
The Christmas Village takes place from 21 to 31 December 2026 on the esplanade of the outdoor ice rink (closed on 25 December). This year’s theme: Father Christmas is recruiting elves. Children aged 4 and over can join 45-minute creative workshops, with online registration through Megève Tourisme. Fairy tales and stories round off the programme from 26 December. From 21 to 24 December, Father Christmas also welcomes visitors to his office, where Mrs Claus greets them, to hear their wish lists and pose for a photo.
On 24 December at 5.30pm, the Father Christmas parade sets off from the Place du Village: Father Christmas rides in his sleigh, accompanied by his elf and the Satin Doll Sisters. For more ideas, see our article what to do in Megève.
New Year in Megève: the instructors ski down from Le Jaillet
On Thursday 31 December 2026 at 7pm, the ESF ski school in Megève holds its torchlight descent: the instructors light up the Auguille slope at Le Jaillet, arriving at the Place du Village at around 7.30pm. For the rest of the evening, the tourist office has not yet published an official programme; the village’s top restaurants fill up fast, so book early (see where to eat in Megève).
Combloux: skiing with Santa and evenings at La Cry
Christmas in Combloux: the school market and Santa on the slopes
The first confirmed event is the Sainte-Marie school Christmas market on Saturday 12 December 2026 from 10am, on the square outside the tourist office: around thirty stalls of producers, craftspeople and exhibitors, Christmas trees for sale, an oyster bar, crêpes, mulled wine, diots sausages and tartiflette, plus a visit from Father Christmas.
During the holidays, the tourist office usually brings back its Christmas activities, with 2026 dates still to be confirmed: “Ski with Father Christmas”, where Santa and Tilou, the village mascot, hide out on the Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area; Santa’s gondola on the tourist office forecourt, where children hand over their letter and leave with a souvenir photo; and a welcome drink for skiers. Last year there were also horse-drawn carriage rides with Father Christmas and a storytelling session at the tourist office. More ideas in our guide what to do in Combloux.
New Year in Combloux: the 2026 programme is still to come
Last winter, to mark 90 years of skiing in Combloux, the La Cry snow front hosted a free programme on 25 December and 1 January: workshops and sledging in the afternoon, a children’s torchlight descent at 6pm, then a sound and light show and fireworks. That anniversary edition was a one-off: the 2026 festive programme will be confirmed by the Combloux tourist office.
Saint-Gervais: the Festival of Lights and Santa in the thermal park
Christmas in Saint-Gervais, between the little train and the lights
On Saturday 12 December 2026 at 2pm, the thermal park’s little train association hosts the arrival of Father Christmas in the thermal park: train rides with Santa, sweets and tangerines handed out, and a free afternoon snack.
The highlight of the season remains the Lumières de Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, billed as a mountain version of Lyon’s famous Fête des Lumières. From 23 to 31 December 2026, 5pm to 10pm, the town centre is filled with light and sound installations. In 2023, a Christmas market was held on the Promenade du Mont-Blanc; its 2026 dates have not yet been announced. Find more ideas in what to do in Saint-Gervais.
New Year’s Eve in Saint-Gervais: a parade in the town centre
The 31 December 2026 programme has not yet been published. For the 2023 festivities, the town organised a parade from the ice rink to the Promenade du Mont-Blanc, followed by mulled wine at the tourist office stand and an evening with a DJ until 10pm. The 2026 details will be confirmed by the Saint-Gervais tourist office.
The festive season in the Pays du Mont-Blanc: book, ski, get around
Book accommodation, tables, lessons and equipment in the autumn
The 2026 Christmas holidays cover every French school zone, from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027: one of the busiest periods of the winter. Book your accommodation as early as possible, then your tables for the festive evenings (24, 25 and 31 December), ski lessons for the children and equipment hire. For lift passes, Les Portes du Mont-Blanc offer a reduced price when you buy at least ten days in advance.
Slope openings: 19 December 2026 across the Évasion ski area
According to Évasion Mont-Blanc, the general opening of Megève, Saint-Gervais and Les Portes du Mont-Blanc (Combloux) is scheduled for Saturday 19 December 2026, snow permitting. Partial openings are announced before that: the weekend of 5-6 December in Megève and Les Portes du Mont-Blanc, then from 12 December in Megève and Saint-Gervais. To choose your sector, see our guide to skiing in Megève.
Getting there and getting around during the Christmas holidays
From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres marked 3PMSF, or snow chains or snow socks carried on board, are compulsory in Haute-Savoie. Once you arrive, leave the car: in Megève, the free Meg-Bus shuttles serve Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois, Côte 2000 and Le Jaillet. 19 December combines the start of the holidays with the opening of the slopes: shift your arrival if you can. All the routes are in how to get to Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais.
FAQ – Christmas and New Year in Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais
When does Father Christmas arrive in Megève in 2026?
The Father Christmas parade sets off from the Place du Village on Thursday 24 December 2026 at 5.30pm. From 21 to 24 December, he also welcomes children to his office in the Christmas Village, on the esplanade of the outdoor ice rink.
Is there a torchlight descent on 31 December?
In Megève, yes: the ESF instructors ski down the Auguille slope at Le Jaillet on 31 December 2026 at 7pm, arriving at the Place du Village at around 7.30pm.
Are the slopes open at Christmas?
The general opening of the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area is scheduled for Saturday 19 December 2026, a week before Christmas, snow permitting. Some sectors open partially from early December.
What can children do at Christmas in the mountains?
The Christmas Village workshops in Megève from age 4, Father Christmas in the Saint-Gervais thermal park, and the torchlight descents.
Spending the festive season at the foot of Mont-Blanc
Celebrating New Year’s Eve after a torchlight descent, then walking home under the lights: that is the beauty of staying in the heart of the village. Discover our chalets and apartments in Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais, and compare the villages on our destination pages. Before you arrive, our concierge service can book your ski lessons, your equipment and your tables for 24 and 31 December.
Sources
- Lighting of the Megève Christmas tree, date, time, tradition, sound and light show: megeve-tourisme.fr, “L’Illumination du Sapin” event listing and “Vivre la magie de Noël, version Megève” article (7 October 2026)
- Megève Christmas Village, dates, venue, workshops, Father Christmas’s office, 24 December parade: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Le Village de Noël” and “La Parade du Père Noël” event listings
- 31 December 2026 torchlight descent in Megève: megeve-ski.com (ESF Megève), “Évènements” page
- Combloux Christmas market on 12 December: combloux.com, “Marché de Noël” event listing
- Ski with Father Christmas, Santa’s gondola, welcome drink: combloux.com, corresponding event listings
- 2025 festive programme and 90 years of skiing in Combloux: combloux.com, press release of 16 December 2025
- Arrival of Father Christmas in the Saint-Gervais thermal park: saintgervais.com, “Arrivée du Père Noël au Parc Thermal” event listing
- Lumières de Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, 2026 dates and times: saintgervais.com and tourism.saintgervais.com, “Lumières Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc” event listing and “Festival of lights” page
- 2023 Christmas market and New Year’s Eve in Saint-Gervais: saintgervais.com, news item “Féérique Saint-Gervais : des fêtes de fin d’année animées et magiques”
- 2026-2027 Christmas school holidays: service-public.gouv.fr and education.gouv.fr, school calendar
- Opening dates for Megève, Saint-Gervais and Les Portes du Mont-Blanc: evasionmontblanc.com; megeve-tourisme.fr, “Domaines skiables”; combloux.com, “Nos domaines skiables”
- Reduced price for lift passes bought in advance: lesportesdumontblanc.fr
- Compulsory winter equipment: haute-savoie.gouv.fr and hautesavoie.fr, “Équipements obligatoires en hiver”
- Meg-Bus shuttles: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Navettes”
