What to do this weekend from September 20 to 22, 2024?

This weekend, it’s officially fall! The cold is setting in and the days are getting shorter, but there’s no point in letting it get you down. So, here are the events and activities organized in Annecy and its surroundings to make the most of your two days.

All weekend

• European Heritage Days – Annecy. This weekend, the European Heritage Days invite you to discover the Annecy Museum-Castle, the Palais de l’Îsle, the Haute-Savoie prefecture and the municipal archives. Also take the opportunity to visit the region’s castles, which welcome you for special tours. Free – Saturday and Sunday – Program.
• Sound Footprints Festival – Annecy. The 14th edition of the Empreintes Sonores festival begins this weekend! On the program until October 13: concerts, shows, musical evenings, film concerts, folk balls, storytelling walks and poetry. Free access – Some activities are chargeable – Program.
• Discovering the professions at the Seynod Auditorium – Seynod. Are you wondering how to organize a show, project a film or light a concert? The team at L’Auditorium invites you to discover these exciting professions as well as the behind-the-scenes of the venue. Free – Saturday and Sunday – 10:30 a.m./11:30 a.m.
• Creative leisure fair – La Roche-sur-Foron. The show will host 80 exhibitors, ranging from boutiques to brands and designers, as well as 50 workshops. You will find stands for sewing, decoration, knitting, embroidery and scrapbooking, held by exhibitors from all over France, as well as Spain and Italy. Price €7.50/person – Online ticketing – 10 a.m./6 p.m. – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday September 20

• Uptown City Groove – Annecy. Every Friday during the summer, come and dance on the terrace of Tizzo, at the Nouvelles Galeries in Annecy, during a musical aperitif. This Friday, behind the decks, find Municipal Tomato for a retro house disco evening. Free – Happy Hour until 8 p.m.
• Concert: Mary G & The Sping Folk Orchestra – Annecy. Discover Mary G & The Spring Folk Orchestra, a group that redefines folk with a modern twist. Free – 8:30 p.m./9:30 p.m. – Les Steppes.
• Walk: Annecy by night – Annecy. For a magical evening, don’t miss the moonlit stroll with Pascale Porcherot, storyteller, and Michel Dunand, poet and director of the Maison de la Poésie. Free – 8 p.m./9 p.m. – Retreat to the Maison de la Poésie in case of rain – Maison de la Poésie.
• Blood donation – Meythet. A blood donation only takes 1 hour. With a single donation, you can save 3 lives. Don’t forget to bring an ID and don’t come fasting. 3:30 p.m./7 p.m. – The Meteor.
• Ballet bar – Alby-sur-Chéran. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere worthy of New York jazz clubs with the show Ballet Bar. Five hip-hop virtuosos come together to offer a subtle blend of dances, acrobatics and mimes. From €11/person – 8:30 p.m. – Pays d’Alby Cultural and Sports Center.
• International local – La Balme-de-Sillingy. Brasserie Maelström extends the summer with a musical evening that ranges from reggae to dub, and much more. Come to enjoy the good atmosphere, savor craft beers and relax to music. Free – 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Kosmac Fly DJ set at La Cabane des Gigi’s – Talloires. The Kosmac Fly Duo invites you to the Cabane de Gigi’s for a DJ set, combining nostalgic sounds, modern groove and futuristic melodies. Food and drinks will be available on site to satisfy your hunger pangs and thirst. Free – 6:30 p.m./10:30 p.m.

See other activities in Haute-Savoie

Saturday September 21

• Saint-Pierre Cathedral: Visit of the great organs – Annecy. In groups of 10, Éric Latour, organist at Annecy Cathedral, will introduce you to the controls of the great historic organs of the place. Free – Visits every 30 min – 1:30 p.m./5 p.m.
• Demonstration: Sheep shearing – Annecy. The sheep of the communal herd are getting a makeover! Watch the shearing carried out by a professional shearer and discover this traditional moment live. Free – 9:30 a.m./11:30 a.m. – Registration required – Horticultural center.
• Introduction to Biathlon – Annecy. The local Annecy unit of the French Red Cross is organizing a biathlon initiation on the Pâquier. On site, you can also enjoy drinks, crepes and cakes. Free – 2 p.m./6 p.m. – Register on site – Cancelled in case of rain
• World Cleanup Day – Annecy. For the 7th consecutive year, Annecy supports the International Cleanup Day by providing gloves and bags, and by organizing the collection and treatment of waste. Come and help collect as much waste as possible by choosing one of the 24 zones of the Commune Nouvelle. Free – 9am/12pm.
• Ablok Fest – Annecy. Meet at the Ablok climbing gym for a sporty afternoon with a friendly bouldering contest from 2pm to 6pm. In the evening, enjoy a musical atmosphere with a band and homemade burgers offered by a local food truck. Free – €10/person to participate in the contest – 12 p.m./10 p.m.
• Alpy Oktoberfest – Seynod. Oktoberfest is back at Alpy Bières! Come and enjoy a Bavarian atmosphere with German beer and traditional outfits. On the program: catering, concert, competitions and other surprises. Free – 5 p.m. to midnight.
• 60 years of the Mountain Trades Training Center – Thônes. A festive day awaits you with sports courses and various activities. Don’t miss the conference by Ludovic Ravanel, geomorphologist and research director at the CNRS, who will address the subject “High Mountains and mountaineers facing the climate”. Free except the conference (€5/person) – From 9 a.m. and conference at 8 p.m.
• Let’s take a walk in Menthon – Menthon-Saint-Bernard. The town hall of Menthon-Saint-Bernard invites you to (re)discover the village through various routes. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., come and meet artisans and watch demonstrations of know-how (stands in front of the church). Free – 9:30 a.m./12 p.m. – Town Hall courtyard.
• Saint-Maurice Fair – Boëge. The Boëge fair, one of the oldest in the department, is a real agricultural event. You will discover a livestock exhibition (cows, horses and small animals) as well as activities and demonstrations that highlight local traditions. Free – 8am/8pm – Village centre.

Sunday September 22

• Garage sale – Annecy. The Nordic Ski and Biathlon Club is organizing a sports yard sale. Come and find second-hand clothing and sports items at low prices. Free – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – La Plaine Elementary School courtyard.
• Ablok Open Day – Annecy. The ABLOK climbing gym invites you to an open day. Come and try climbing and discover the facilities. Free.
• Ball: Traditional music and dances – Cran-Gevrier. Come and discover traditional music and dances with the Croc’Danse and La Gigouillette associations. The dances are adapted so that everyone can participate, even beginners, thanks to the advice of experienced dancers. Free – 3 p.m./4:30 p.m. – Jardin du 8 Mai 1945.
• I don’t like Sundays – Poisy. Le Podium in Poisy invites you to a lively day! On the program: 6 thrift stores for men, women and children, 2 tattoo artists, a vinyl sale, a musical atmosphere with a DJ, wine and beer bars, as well as food trucks offering bagels and cookies. 11am/7pm.
• Autumn Festival – Saint-Jorioz. The Criq’parc invites you to celebrate the arrival of autumn during its seasonal festival. Come spend a friendly day in the heart of nature and take advantage of the eco-workshop to create an autumn-themed creation. Entrance 14 €/child and free for accompanying adult – 10am/6pm – Reservation recommended.
• Fall dressing room sale – Veyrier-du-Lac. For fashion lovers looking for a bargain, don’t miss this 100% women’s clothes swap. Come and find over 4,000 branded and second-hand items to expand your fall wardrobe at low prices. Free – 8:30 a.m./4 p.m. – La Veyrière multipurpose hall.