Christmas in Alpe d'Huez
Santa's Cottage, Christmas Concert and Show, family games and a big Christmas Party
Celebrate Christmas in Alpe d'Huez with a torchlight descent, fireworks, a skating gala, Christmas carols and much more.
The town of Alpe d'Huez will turn into a fairyland, illuminated and decorated for the festivities.
Join in for the big Christmas party on Christmas Eve, the ESF instructors will perform a torchlit descent of the Signal piste, followed by a fireworks display and the opportunity to get a photo with Father Christmas. Free hot chocolate and mulled wine available. At the skating rink you can enjoy a fabulous skating gala show - A Christmas Tale on Ice.
On Christmas Day go meet the man himself at the ice rink between 16:30 and 18:00.
All Christmas events are free and open to all, please enquire at the Tourist Office for the full schedule.
Venue
Alpe d'Huez centre
Facts & figures
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 le Père Noël brings toys to good little boys and girls after evening Mass on Christmas Eve
- children do not leave milk and cookies for Père 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
