Christmas in Tignes

Enjoy a parade and fireworks in Tignes wherever you're staying.  There is a Father Christmas Parade, torchlit lantern descents, fireworks display, free mulled wine and hot chocolate.

WEDNESDAY 21/12
17:30 : Parade of the Selenites accompanied by Father Christmas, with distribution of chocolate and mulled wine, Snow front Tignes 1800
17:30 : Distribution of chocolate and mulled wine, Snow front Tignes 1800
18:00 : Descent with lanterns by the children of the ESF of 1800 and Les Brévières, followed by a fireworks display. Start from snow front of Tignes 1800 until snow front of Tignes les Brévières, by the Myrtilles piste

THURSDAY 22/12
17:30 : Parade of the Tales of the Mist accompanied by Father Christmas. Start in front of the Maison de Tignes du Val Claret Centre until snow front Tufs
18:00 : Torchlight descent of the Val Claret ESF instructors on the Carline slope, distribution of hot chocolate and wine, followed by a fireworks display Snow front of Tufs
18:00 : Distribution of chocolate and mulled wine. Snow front of Tignes le Lac
18:30 : Torchlight descent by the ESF du Lac instructors on the Johan Clarey piste, followed by the Contes de Brumes parade accompanied by Father Christmas and fireworks. Snow front of Tignes le Lac

SATURDAY 24/12
DISTRIBUTION OF PAPILLOTES BY FATHER CHRISTMAS
08:30 : Val Claret Centre (Tufs)
09:30 : Val Claret pistes roundabout
12:00 : 1800
13:00 : Brévières
15:30 : Lac
17:00 : Lavachet

SUNDAY 25/12
17:00 to 19:00 : Ice sculpture demonstration by Big Foot, followed by fireworks
Snow front of Tignes le Lac
17:30 to 18:30 : Welcome drink. Multimedia centre of Maison de Tignes le Lac

With so many families visiting the valley for the festive season, there is a real child-like excitement as the big day draws ever closer, and usually there's an opportunity to spot the main man himself meeting and greeting people on 24th December in Tignes Le Lac, along with a torchlit descent, fireworks and chocolate party. When the twinkly lights and animations are switched on at the Maison de Tignes Le Lac, it's hard to ignore that Christmas is nearly here.

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 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.