Credit: VdL
As the festive season approaches, the City of Luxembourg has announced that will be launching its annual Winterlights programme next Thursday 21 November 2019.
From 21 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, Winterlights will immerse the heart of the capital in a magical winter wonderland setting with its thousand and one lights and its Christmas markets spread over several sites, as well as several concerts, exhibitions, shows and children's entertainment.
The City of Luxembourg will switch on its Winterlights every day from 06:00-01:00 from next Thursday onward. This year will see a series of new lighting installations make an appearance: 232 new elements will thus appear in the form of sixteen new decorations, mostly located in the city centre (decorated trees and a traditional fir tree in Place d'Armes, a golden Christmas tree in Place de la Constitution, etc.) and in the Luxembourg-Gare district. New lights will also adorn the streets in the districts of Bonnevoie, Cents, Gasperich, Grund and Merl.
Also new this year is the installation of an advent calendar on Place Emile Hamilius (1-24 December 2019 with animations at 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00) and a "Tree Light Show" in Place d'Armes (animations everyday at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 and 20:30). All lights used as part of the Winterlights programme are 100% LED.
Adding to the festivities, the capital's Christmas markets, featuring 124 chalets, will once again offer handicrafts, decorations, jewellery, candles and other products, as well as traditional food and mulled wine.
"Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart": 21/11/19 - 24/12/19 @ Place d'Armes
A 13-metre lit-up Christmas tree, with a completely revised decoration, will welcome visitors to Place d'Armes. Visitors can also enjoy food and drinks under the shelter of a giant roof installed at the centre of the Christmas market. In addition to the 53 chalets, the market features two rides for children, as well as a giant crib.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00-21:00 and Friday and Saturday from 11:00-22:00. The market will close at 17:00 on 24 December 2019.
"Wantermaart": 21/11/19 - 24/12/19 @ Place de la Constitution
This year, 54 chalets will be installed at the foot of the "Gëlle Fra". In addition, a 32-metre tall, 35,000-LED ferris wheel will be installed in Place de la Constitution, along with trampolines, a magic train, two carousels ("Jungle Tour" and "My Beautiful Tree") and panoramic coffee shops with views of the Pétrusse and the Adolphe bridge. New this year, a 13-metre high golden fir tree decorated with garlands of fireflies and gold baubles will be installed in the square. As in previous years, a beekeeper will be giving educational candle-making workshops. These are reserved for school classes on weekdays and open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00-21:00 and Friday and Saturday from 11:00-22:00. The market will close at 17:00 on 24 December 2019.
"Wanterbësch": 21/11/19 - 05/01/2020 @ Square Jan Palach
New this year is the "Wanterbësch" market in Square Jan Palach, featuring trees, animal figures like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and urban wooden furniture. This magical forest also allows families the chance to spend time around a wood fire and taste hot dishes or cakes.
"Niklosmaart": 21/11/19 - 23/12/19 @ Rue de Strasbourg
Organised in collaboration with the "Groupe Animation-Gare", the "Niklosmaart" will be held this year on Rue de Strasbourg due to tram works in Place de Paris. Seven chalets will offer visitors a range of culinary specialties, mulled wine and other drinks, as well as a selection of Advent wreaths and other decorations. Live music is also on the agenda. As part of these festivities, an 8-metre tall tree with Saint Nicholas-inspired decorations will be installed in Rue de Strasbourg.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30-20:00.
"Solidaritéitsmaart": 22/11/19 - 23/12/19 @ Grand Rue (Roude Pëtz)
This year's solidarity market will feature four chalets selling their products as part of a fundraising initiative for the benefit of charities. Children can also enjoy a ride on the carousel.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 11:00-18:00.
Winter jumble sale ("Vide-grenier") and second-hand market: 30/11/19 @ Halle Victor Hugo (Limpertsberg)
The annual winter jumble sale and second hand market will offer a selection of second-hand clothes and toys for children in the Halle Victor Hugo.
Opening hours: Saturday 30 November from 09:00-17:00.
Bi-weekly markets
Bi-weekly markets will be held across Luxembourg City throughout the Winterlights period. Such markets are planned for Place Guillaume II on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 07:00-13:30 (except 25/12/19 and 01/01/20) and for Place Léon XIII (Bonnevoie) on Wednesdays from 08:00-13:30.
The "Knuedler on Ice" rink is also set to return to Place Guillaume II and will be installed from 21 November 2019 to 5 January 2020 (inclusive) in front of the Town Hall. The ice rink measures a total area of 800m2, of which half is covered. A ramp will be installed to guarantee accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00-21:00 and Friday and Saturday from 11:00-22:00. During school holidays, open everyday until 22:00; on 24 December, open from 11:00-17:00; on 31 December, open from 11:00-02:00.
New this year is the "Poppen-Theaterplaz" puppet shows in Place du Théâtre, taking place from 7 to 22 December 2019 (one-hour shows at 14:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays), as well as the "Walking Act" musical events every Saturday and Sunday from 23 November to 22 December 2019. Music groups, artists and animators will walk through the city centre and the Gare district (15:00-18:00) to ensure a festive atmosphere in the capital's streets and squares. On Sunday, 15 December 2019, the "Winter Divas" , a group of mobile stilt-walkers will be present at the Christmas markets.
Various concerts and guided tours are also on the agenda again this year. For more information, visit winterlights.vdl.lu.
