Special Events and Summer Festival Fun for Everyone!

We know we keep saying it but this time of year in the Grand Massif is one of our favourites. Bright mornings and sunny days grow ever-longer; and summer is just around the corner. And what an action packed summer we have ahead of us here in Samoëns and the Haute Giffre valley. It just keeps getting bigger, better, and more exciting every year.  

The annual Franco-Suisse 4x4 Trial event in Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval this spring was fantastic fun. It was a glorious day, and the usual peaceful surrounds of Sixt’s dense forests were a hive of activity as visitors and locals alike turned out to watch some amazing prototype cars and SUVs tackle the challenging terrain.

Samoens’ wonderful Journées Botaniques - a weekend of fun and discovery for nature lovers - celebrated its 10th anniversary this year! And La Rivière-Enverse and Morillon hosted the first of many other village fairs, with live music, workshops, art, local cuisine and plenty more enjoyed by all.  

This June, we were delighted to sponsor the 6^th edition of The Samoens Trail Tour, an amazing event for ALL the family to watch and even take part in (prior registration required). Hundreds of runners of all ages took to the mountains of the Haute Giffre valley, participating in what’s becoming the fastest growing sport in the Alps. 

The best of our region’s great festivals and events are still to come, and to make sure you don’t miss a thing, Alps Accommodation have put together a list of some must-do must-see experiences which most are also free to attend.

Special Events Calendar Samoens and Morillon

June 15-21: Fête de la Musique         

A week of nightly musical entertainment in Morillon and Verchaix culminates with an extra special event held on the shores of Lac Bleu.

June 16-24: Festival Des Musiques du Faucigny

Quintets, Brass Bands, Choirs! Celebrate the 182^nd edition of this wonderful classical music event by taking in any number of concerts in Samoens & Sixt.

June 30: Marché Gourmand

Meet local producers and taste local delights. Great flavours in a festive & friendly atmosphere are guaranteed at Sixt’ fabulous food festival… Yum!

July 1-August 31: Weekly Yoga initiations

Morillon Lake (Lac Bleu). 8.30-9.45am every Tuesday.

July 5-8: Samoens’ American festival  

2018 marks the tenth year of this ‘all American’ festival of fun, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Immerse yourself in a western atmosphere... country music, line dancing, equestrian demonstrations and of course the classic parade of beautiful American cars and motorcycles.

July 7: Nuit du Raft

Head to the Abbey Gardens in Sixt for an afternoon of entertainment followed by live music from 7pm to 2am plus the chance to win a night descent down the mighty Giffre River!

July 11: Family time with "La Labo Mobile"

A fun kids show with Professor Zweinstein who invites you to discover science while having fun with his crazy visual show!  6pm at La Grenette, Samoens centre.

July 11: Astronomy night

Tom'Astro, professional astronomer will help you observe the starry sky by approaching the stars at the top of the beautiful botanical gardens. 9.30pm.

July 11: Cultural night show

Family entertainment show. Lac Bleu Samoens. 6pm

July 12 – August 30: F’estival les Pepites

Also celebrating its 10^th anniversary, 8 fabulous acts headline this year’s festival, including local legends Rage Against the Marmottes at the final concert to be held at Lac Aux Dames! So get your groove on and dance every Thursday night away.

July 13/14 - La Fête Nationale

July 13 – Lac Bleu Morillon. From 9pm til late, enjoy a FREE rock concert & firework displays on the shores of the magical Blue Lake! 

July 13 – Sixt Village. A torchlit parade and FREE concert from 9pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display and ball in the village centre!

July 14 – Samoens Village. From 8pm til late, enjoy live music, a torchlit parade & fireworks display, followed by a FREE 50s rock concert!

No matter where you choose to celebrate the French national holiday this year, you’re guaranteed a great night out, with spectacular fireworks displays, music and dance, and just a good time vibe.  

July 16-20: Creative workshop week

Morillon lake (Lac Bleu).
Arts and crafts for all the family.  More information available from the Tourist Office in Morillon.

July 24: Church concert

Samoens centre. 9pm.

July 24: Kids entertainment day.  

Morillon Les Esserts. 11am-6pm.
Inflatables and kids games and activities.  

July 25: Family show. 

Samoens centre.  6pm.
A show by Nino Costrini - An Argentinian clown and circus performer.

July 25:  Acoustic evening in the garden. 

Botanical gardens. 8pm.
Acoustic guitar session with Olivier, singing both English and French songs in conviviality and in the incredible scenery of the top of the botanical gardens. Registration in advance at the Tourist Office. Free entry.

July 26:  Folk, rock and blues Music.

Samoens centre.  8pm.
The band Gunwood, are a trio playing folk, rock and blues. 

July 21: Muay Thai Grand Prix

New for Summer 2018! Internationally renowned Thai Boxing organisation Muay Thai & Lion Fight have organised a spectacular demonstration featuring some of the sports’ top athletes from France, USA, England and Thailand.

July 30:  Concert. 

Samoens Church.  9pm.
A flute and organ concert with Guy Angelloz and Claire Lizon, awardees of the Yehudi Menuhin foundation. 

August 7: Y’a Le Feu au Lac !

Another sensational evening on the shores of Lac Bleu – sports demonstrations, live music, great food and an incredible fireworks display. This is one not to be missed!

August 14: Kids entertainment day

Morillon Les Esserts.  11am-6pm.
Inflatables and kids games and activities.  

August 22:  Music show

Morillon Lake (Lac Bleu). 9pm.
Free entry.

August 24-26: Sixt Yoga Festival

Yoga – Meditation - Well-Being – Music... Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval is the ideal place to immerse yourself in everything Zen.

September 7-8: Ralley du Mont Blanc

Hairpin bends, dead straight lines, roaring engines and squealing tyres! Don’t miss the action of this year’s Mont Blanc Rally, with stages in both Samoens & Morillon.

Regular Events Calendar

Weekly French Markets

A holiday in the Grand Massif has to include a morning spent browsing and shopping at a traditional local market and here in the Giffre valley you’re spoilt for choice!

Samoens – Wednesdays 8.30am-12pm

Morillon – Fridays 9am-12.30pm

Verchaix  - Fridays 7am-1pm

Sixt – Mondays from 4pm (01/07 - 31/08)

Music’O jardin

Enjoy great live music in the relaxed atmosphere of Sixt’s beautiful Abbey Gardens; every Wednesday from 11 July – 8 August & 22-29 August, 6.30pm-9.30pm. Don’t forget your picnic blanket, drinks & snacks!

Nunabar River Café

This buzzing little café/bar located by the river in Sixt plays host to some fantastic concerts all summer long! Enjoy the vibe every Friday night from 13 July – 10 August.

Further Afield

Samoens and the Grand Massif is a gateway to many other fabulous destinations, so why not make time this holiday to explore a little further afield?  There are some great events happening right on our doorstep that would make for a great day out...

June 15-17 : ChamFest !

Chamonix, just a 40-minute drive away, is playing host to this brand new 3-day festival of music, culture, food and fun! There’s something for all the family, big and small, so be sure to check it out while holidaying here in the Grand Massif.

June 20-24 : Crankworx Les Gets

Riding faster, climbing further, flying higher, and going BIGGER! Welcome to Crankworx, an MTB festival where you will witness incredible feats otherwise unimaginable. If you’re into bikes then this is definitely one not to be missed.

For information about all the exciting events happening this season, contact the Samoens, Sixt and Morillon Tourist Offices. We’ll also be posting regular updates on our facebook page, so be sure to give us a ‘Like’ so you can keep abreast of everything that’s happening in the valley.  There are great events on almost every day especially during the school summer holidays.  These include friendly sport matches for kids, wine tasting, free music, bingo and family games, exhibitions and displays, and historic tours.  

Sports, nature, music, culture - no matter what you’re into, you’re sure to find ample to enjoy this spring and all throughout the summer here in Samoens and the Haute Giffre. So, if you’ve not yet booked your summer holiday, contact Alps Accommodation today! Go on, you know you want to... join us for what is guaranteed to be a fantastic holiday filled with festival fun for everyone.

Photo credit: www.ot-morillon.fr