This new bi-monthly column is a curated list of events and activities for families in Lausanne and the nearby region. The “Family Fun” includes events for the kids and/or the entire family and the “Mum having fun” includes events where you, beautiful mum, can attend to have fun and recharge on your own, with your girlfriends or with your partner. Your choice!
Read on to find interesting events and activities for you and your family for January and February 2023 in Lausanne.
FAMILY FUN
SNOW & ICE FUN
Chalet-à-Gobet: very close to Lausanne (about 30 minutes away by public transport) this is an ideal place to go for fun with the snow. Sledging, snowball fights or simply building an igloo with the snow.
Hermitage Park: closer to the city, you will find here a modest hill where kids can also have fun with a sledge (depending on weather conditions).
ICE-SKATING
Vaudoise Arena – 2 indoors and 1 open-air ice rink
Lausanne Gare – Open Air Ice Rink
Website – https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/guide/ice-rinks/
When: open 7 days/week until March 2023
Montchoisi – Open-air ice rink
La Pontaise – Open-air ice rink
SWIMMING
Vaudoise Arena swimming pool
Mon Repos swimming pool
EVENTS
Saturday Brunch & Dance at La Grenette, 28th January at 11.00
This event takes place once every month (usually) at La Grenette, a favourite place for families with young kids.
Where: La Grenette, Riponne
Cirque du Soleil presents “Crystal”, the ice show in Lausanne
When: From 25.01.2023 to 29.01.2023
Where: Vaudoise aréna
Prix de Lausanne – an international competition for young dancers
When: From 29.01.2023 to 05.02.2023
Where: Théâtre de Beaulieu
Viva Frida Kahlo Immersive Experience
When: 17.12.2022 – 19.03.2023
Where: Beaulieu
Ice Hockey Match
Play Weekend at Casino de Montbenon – Ludotheques
We have been to this event in previous years and it was great fun. There are many activities and also countless games to play with your little ones.
Where: Casino de Montebenon, Salle des fetes
When: Saturday, 11 February 2023 from 14.00 – 21.00 & Sunday, 12 February 2023 from 10.00 – 17.00
Free Entry
MUSEUMS
MCBA Cantonal museum of fine arts museum – Family activities
The MCBA (Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts – Cantonal museum of fine arts) in Plateforme 10, organises various activities for families and their kids: art workshops, discovery booklets and family tours (in french, from ages 6-7).
Also, every second Wednesday of the month, kids aged 3-5 years can join a guided tour of the collections of the MCBA and an atelier for free (from 10:30-11:15 am or 3:00-3:45 pm). (Kids must be accompanied by an adult who needs to buy an entry ticket)
Fondation de l’Hermitage
There are workshops organised for various age groups around the theme of the current exhibition.
4-6 years old, Saturday 25.02 at 10h, Duration: 2 hours, Ticket: 15 CHF
6-12 years old, Saturday 25.02 at 14h, Duration: 2 hours, Ticket: 15 CHF
Kid & adult, Sunday 05.02 at 14h, Duration: 2 hours, Ticket: 15 CHF for kids & 27 CHF for adults
THEATRE & CINEMA
Le Petit Theatre (french)
A great place to take your kids. Most of the spectacles are in french. Tickets tend to get sold out very quickly but I have found that it’s worth checking for last-minute availability either via email, phone or at the theatre before the show starts.
Upcoming shows:
OZ – 25 January to 12 February 2023, from 7 years old
Tout bêtement – 22 February to 05 March 2023, from 5 years old
Ticket: 15 CHF (kid or adult)
Théâtre de marionnettes de Lausanne
Upcoming shows:
L’histoire fabuleuse de A de O et de E – 25 January to 8 February 2023, from 4 years old
Jeu – 25 February to 01 March 2023, from 3 years old
Ticket: 13 CHF (kid or adult)
La Lanterne Magique & La Petite Lanterne – Cinema for kids
La Lanterne Magique is a cinema club for kids (6-12 years old) where they can watch 9 different movies every year along with their friends. For the younger kids (4-6 years old), La Petite Lanterne is a similar concept but the kids watch the movie with their parents (or an accompanying adult). Tickets tend to go quickly so it’s best to register in advance.
Ages: La Lanterne Magique: 6-12 years old, La Petite Lanterne: 4-6 years old
Where: Cinema Pathé Flon 3, Rue du Port-Franc 16, CH-1003 Lausanne
Ticket: 10 CHF
Websites – https://www.lanterne-magique.org/ & https://www.petitelanterne.org/
Cinema for families at La Cinémathèque Suisse (Cine-Familles)
This curated movie programme invites families to discover once per month a movie at the cinema. In the end, the kids receive a kit with activities for further discussions based on the movies.
Next movie: Oseam, le temple des cinq ans (South Korea, 2003, duration 75’, in french) on Sunday, 5 February 2023 at 10:30
Where: La Cinémathèque Suisse, Casino de Montbenon, Allée Ernest-Ansermet 3, 1003 Lausanne
When: Once per month from September 2022 to May 2023
Organised by: La Cinémathèque Suisse and the Festival Cinema Jeune Public (https://festivalcinemajeunepublic.ch/)
Ticket: 5 CHF for kids under 12 years old, 10 CHF for adults
For more ideas on what to do during winter with your kids in Lausanne read the article Family-Friendly Lausanne in Winter – https://www.mygreektravellingspoon.com/travel/family-friendly-lausanne/
MUM HAVING FUN
Monthly events at Nueva Luna Yoga
This new yoga studio in the centre of Lausanne organises interesting events every month, apart from the regular yoga and meditation schedule. P.S. They also have mindfulness & yoga courses for kids!
Breathwork by Grace Chinn – Online sessions
Online Breathwork Circles are organised monthly by Grace and every month there is a different theme to explore. Worth checking out.
Yoga Events by Clélia Vuille
Clélia Vuille is a dancer and yoga teacher currently based in Lausanne.
She often organises fun events like Sunday mornings with yoga & brunch and it’s worth checking her Instagram for her upcoming schedule.
Cinema – watch a movie at Cinematheque Suisse (Montbenon)
Check the schedule and go watch a movie on your own or with a good friend. After the movie, Brasserie de Montbenon is always a good idea for an apero or a dinner with a view.
Did I miss any interesting events happening in Lausanne during this period? Let me know and I will make sure to add it!
Are you visiting Lausanne soon and want to know which are the best places to explore with your young kids? Are you new to the city and eager to discover its charms with your family? Check out my ebook – 48 hours in Lausanne, A Guide for Families with Young Kids which consists of a 2-day itinerary and practical tips on local life.
