Winterlights 2023;
Credit: Ali SAHIB
On Friday 15 November 2024, the City of Luxembourg held a press conference to present this year’s Winterlights programme; speakers included Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer and Luxembourg City Alderman Patrick Goldschmidt.
This year’s Winterlights festival will be held from Friday 22 November 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025; preparations are well underway with Christmas lights and decorations, winter chalets and Christmas trees being put in place throughout the city.
The chalets will be selling Christmas decorations, handcrafts, toys, clothes, jewellery, sweets, hot and cold drinks and also various culinary treats, from the traditional to the more unconventional.
In Luxembourg city, Christmas markets are being erected at four locations:
- "Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart" (Luxembourg Christmas market) in Place d'Armes with 38 chalets offering food, drink and gifts;
- "Wantermaart" (Wintermarket) at the Place de la Constitution with no less than 41 chalets offering food, drink, gifts and rides:
- "Niklosmaart" (Nicholas market) at Place de Paris offering food, drink and entertainment; and
- "Wanterpark" (Winterpark) in Kinnekswiss which will include an ice rink, a gourmet food village and a stage for entertainment.
In addition, "Winterkids" will take place in Place Guillaume II: this is aimed at children and parents who can participate in a range of creative activities that include cooking, handicraft and gift-making workshops, puppet shows, singing, live music, and storytelling sessions. these is also a covered stage there for choral recitals, Christmas Carols, etc.
One of the biggest highlights for the children will be the traditional Kleeschen tour on Sunday 1 December 2024; accompanied by den Houseker and a troupe of angels, he is scheduled to arrive at Luxembourg-Gare at around 14:30 before going on to the Place de Paris (14:45) to give out Titercher with musical accompaniment by the Bouneweger Nuechtigailercher; then on to the Ville Haute (16:15), passing through Rue Philippe II, Grand-Rue, Marché-aux-Herbes and Rue de la Reine to reach Place Guillaume II (17:00-18:00), accompanied by the Tramsmusek music ensemble and dancers from the Cathy Moes by Li Marteling dance school. Mayor Lydie Polfer will address those attending and children's goodie bags will be distributed, with musical accompaniment by the Luxembourg City Conservatoire Children's Choir.
There is a comprehensive programme of activities for all ages organised by the City of Luxembourg.
The City has been using energy-efficient and LED bulbs/twinkle lights since 2009 and, this year, all of the lights are LEDs.
