Details:
From 19 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, the "Winterlights" programme will once again transform the capital into a winter wonderland, with decorations and lights, concerts and shows, exhibitions and entertainment for children, as well as the traditional Christmas markets spread over several sites.
Winter Lights
During this festive period, every day from 06:00 to 01:00, more than 1,500 sets of light will illuminate the capital. New light installations this year include animated stars on Boulevard Royal, an enchanted forest and a fantasy tree in the courtyard of the former Athenée school site, a 20 metre-high Christmas tree in Place de Paris and an Advent calendar in Place Wallis (entertainment at 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00 between 1 and 24 December).
Christmas Markets
Around 100 wooden chalets and various attractions will be installed across nine different sites in the Upper Town and Gare districts.
"Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart" in Place d'Armes
A 12 metre-high Nordmann Christmas tree, decorated with light garlands and red baubles, will welcome visitors to this traditional Christmas market in Place d'Armes. Next to the 35 chalets, the "Tree Light Show" will animate the square every day at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 and 20:30. There will also be the traditional giant nativity scene on site.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Sunday - Thursday from 11:00 - 22:00
Firday & Saturday from 11:00 - 23:00
"Wantermaart" in Place de la Constitution
This year, 41 chalets will be installed at the foot of the “Gëlle Fra”, to which will be added a 13 metre-high golden fir tree, a giant pyramid, a 32 metre Ferris wheel with 35,000 LEDs, trampolines, two carousels and panoramic cafe-restaurants with a view of the Pétrusse and Pont Adolphe.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Sunday - Thursday from 11:00 - 22:00
Firday & Saturday from 11:00 - 23:00
“Winterlights on Ice” at the Kinnekswiss
For the first time, the ice rink will welcome the public at the Kinnekswiss, in the heart of the municipal park. This temporary ice rink measures nearly 800 m2 and includes a gastronomic village with five chalets. A musical programme and children's entertainment will be offered to visitors to the ice rink at specific times.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Sunday - Thursday from 11:00 - 22:00
Firday & Saturday from 11:00 - 23:00
“Niklosmaart” in Place de Paris
Following redevelopment work, an enlarged “Niklosmaart” with twelve chalets and new attractions is returning to Place de Paris. In addition to salty and sweet gastronomy stands, visitors will find a choice of handmade Advent wreaths and many other decorative items, textiles and games. A 20 metre-high tree, the “Niklosbam”, will light up the square.
Moreover, Saint Nicholas will welcome the children in his grotto ("Dem Kleesche säin Haus") at the foot of an old fireplace with real smoke (on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 20 November to 4 December, from 15:00 to 17:00).
A musical programme will be offered to visitors every day (except 24 and 25 December) at specific times.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Sunday - Thursday from 11:00 - 22:00
Firday & Saturday from 11:00 - 23:00
"Winterkids" in the court of the former Athénée
For the first time, the courtyard of the old Athénée on Rue Notre-Dame will host the “Winterkids” market. On the agenda are workshops for children (wood carving, cooking workshops, etc.), reading sessions and puppet and doll theatre shows.
Open: 01/12/2021 - 23/12/2021
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 16:00 - 19:00 (except Monday 6 December: 14:00 - 19:00)
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays from 14:00 - 19:00
Saturdays from 14:00 - 20:00
Other Attractions
“Wanterzuch” in Square Jan Palach
Throughout the Winterlights period, the magic "Wanterzuch" (winter train) will run through the "Wanterbësch" (winter forest) located in Square Jan Palach, in the company of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Monday to Sunday from 11:00 - 21:00
"Wanterchaleten" at Puits Rouge
From 26 November to 19 December 2021, two “Wanterchaleten” (winter chalets) will be installed at the Puits Rouge. These chalets will be reserved for private individuals and associations to sell artisanal creations or handmade products or to charitable associations to inform the public about their missions and actions and raise funds.
"Le Chahut des contes" on Grand-Rue
At the corner of Grand-Rue and Rue Aldringen, a wooden carousel, featuring various fairytale characters, will welcome young and old.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Monday to Sunday from 11:00 - 19:00
"Les rennes volants" in Place Guillaume II
This unique carousel in Europe, decorated with a reindeer flying around Santa Claus' grotto, will welcome young and old to Place Guillaume II.
Open: 19/11/2021 - 02/01/2022 (except 24-25 December 2021)
Monday to Sunday from 11:00 - 19:00
Christmas tree sale
The sale of Christmas trees will take place from 25 November until 24 December 2021 at the latest at the following locations:
- Place Jean Heinisch / Rue du Fort Elisabeth
- Place Léon XIII, Bonnevoie
- Champ du Glacis
- Entrance to Parc de Merl, Boulevard P. Dupong
The trees that will be sold there all come from Luxembourg and the maintenance of the fields on which the trees are grown is carried out exclusively by sheep.
Christmas concerts at Notre Dame Cathedral
Three Christmas concerts are scheduled at Notre Dame Cathedral (all starting at 15:00 and lasting 1.5 hours):
- 05/12/2021: TRIO ACCORD (100th anniversary of A. Piazolla)
- 12/12/2021: Luxembourg Military Band
- 19/12/2021: QUATOR PENSIS & A. Dartavelle (classical concert)
The concerts will be free, but reservation is compulsory via the luxembourg-ticket.lu site.
"Kleeschen on tour"
On Sunday 5 December 2021, Saint Nicolas, accompanied by Père Fouettard (Father Whipper) and the angels, will tour the city as follows:
- 14:00 - 15:00: distribution of sweets at the “Niklosmaart” in Place de Paris (accompanied by music)
- 15:00 - 17:00: Saint Nicolas will head towards the city centre, passing through the various Christmas markets
- 17:00 - 18:00: distribution of of sweets in Place Guillaume II
"Stater Schmatten"
The “Stater Schmatten” (city blacksmiths) will present their know-how from 11:00 to 18:00 on the following dates:
- 20-21 November at Puits Rouge
• 27-28 November on Place Guillaume II
• 4-5 December in the Kinnekswiss (near the ice rink)
• 11-12 December in Square Jan Palach (near “Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart”)
• 18-19 December in Place Guillaume II
Access to the major Winterlights 2021 sites, namely the Christmas markets and the ice rink, will be subject to the CovidCheck regime. There will be no COVID-19 test station on site.
Moreover, the City of Luxembourg has advised visitors to continue to respect the usual recommendations. For instance, people with COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home and follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the public is asked to disinfect their hands before entering the various sites, before eating and after each visit to the sanitary facilities. Disinfectant gel will be made available on site and at each establishment.
The number of people admitted will not be limited, although the City of Luxembourg reserves the right to temporarily close access to the sites if necessary.
CovidCheck rules will not apply to other sites, namely the "Wanterchaleten" at Puits Rouge, "Le Chahut des contes" on Grand-Rue, "Les renes volants" in Place Guillaume II and the "Wanterzuch" in Square Jan Palach. However, wearing a mask is compulsory for all visitors aged 6 and over.
Venue: Across Luxembourg City
Organiser: City of Luxembourg
Price: n/a
Reservations: n/a
