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The tradition of burning the 'Bonhomme Hiver' (Winter Man) dates back to regions with long winters. It serves as a symbolic farewell to the cold season and a celebration of the warmer days ahead.
Widely practiced in countries where winter lasts for months, the Bonhomme Hiver tradition involves people letting go of the chill by offering a rag doll, symbolizing winter, to the flames.
This custom involves creating a figure, often resembling a snowman, and setting it alight in a communal bonfire. According to the myth, the faster the head of the "Böögg" (Winterman) explodes, the hotter the summer will be!
WATCH THE FESTIVITIES AROUND THE CANTON
AvullyGet ready for a fun-filled day celebrating the Winter Man at Jardin Robinson - a family-friendly afternoon with races, treats, and the magical winter-burning tradition to welcome spring.
Programme:2pm: Winter Man Race – choose your loop from 2km to 10km. Sign up online or on-site before 1pm
4pm: Crêpes on offer for a snack
6pm: Parade kicks off from Gennecy Post Office
Nightfall: Burning of the Winter Man at Jardin Robinson
For more information, click here (in French).
BernexThe commune of Bernex is hosting its second Bonhomme Hiver on Saturday 21 March 2026 from 3pm to 8pm on the Esplanade du Signal de Bernex.
Programme:3pm – 6pm: Children's workshops and food and drink stalls
6.15pm: Address by the authorities and organizers, followed by the burning of the Winter Man
8pm: End of the event
For more information, click here (in French).
BossyThis year, the festivities in Bossy take place on Saturday 21 March 2026, beginning at the Place de la Fontaine in front of the Laiterie. The parade will be accompanied by live music, and the burning of the winter man and the fir tree will take place on Chemin des Ouaches.
Programme:6pm: Parade kicks off with live music
6.30pm: Snacks and treats from the Confrérie de l’Épée de Bossy sur Collex
7pm: The burning of the Winter Man and fir tree
For more information, click here (in French).
Confignon
The commune of Confignon will burn their Winter Man in the grounds of Cressy School on Friday 20 March 2026. The event will take place from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, with a disco starting at 8pm. There will be refreshments available on site.
Programme:6.30pm: Start of the parade7.15pm: Burning of the Winter Man8pm – 11.30pm: Disco
For more information, click here (in French).
Grand-Saconnex
The commune of Grand-Saconnex will hold their celebration behind Grand-Saconnex Place school on Friday 20 March 2026 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, where there will be entertainment and refreshments on site.
For more information, click here (in French).
Meyrin The commune of Meyrin will host their festivities in Jardin Robinson on Saturday 21 March 2026 from 2pm to 9pm. Expect music and other entertainment, as well as light refreshments on offer.
For more information, click here (in French).
Versoix The commune of Versoix has their Winter Man Parade on Friday 20 March 2026. The procession starts from Ami-Argand school and the burning of the Winter Man will take place on Port-Choiseul beach. There will be entertainment and music, refreshments, and snacks offered to all children.
Programme:4.45pm: Procession departs from Ami-Argand school5.30pm: Burning of the "Winter Man" at Port-Choiseul beach
For more information, click here (in French).
Article date: 14 March 2026
Widely practiced in countries where winter lasts for months, the Bonhomme Hiver tradition involves people letting go of the chill by offering a rag doll, symbolizing winter, to the flames.
This custom involves creating a figure, often resembling a snowman, and setting it alight in a communal bonfire. According to the myth, the faster the head of the "Böögg" (Winterman) explodes, the hotter the summer will be!
WATCH THE FESTIVITIES AROUND THE CANTON
AvullyGet ready for a fun-filled day celebrating the Winter Man at Jardin Robinson - a family-friendly afternoon with races, treats, and the magical winter-burning tradition to welcome spring.
Programme:2pm: Winter Man Race – choose your loop from 2km to 10km. Sign up online or on-site before 1pm
4pm: Crêpes on offer for a snack
6pm: Parade kicks off from Gennecy Post Office
Nightfall: Burning of the Winter Man at Jardin Robinson
For more information, click here (in French).
BernexThe commune of Bernex is hosting its second Bonhomme Hiver on Saturday 21 March 2026 from 3pm to 8pm on the Esplanade du Signal de Bernex.
Programme:3pm – 6pm: Children's workshops and food and drink stalls
6.15pm: Address by the authorities and organizers, followed by the burning of the Winter Man
8pm: End of the event
For more information, click here (in French).
BossyThis year, the festivities in Bossy take place on Saturday 21 March 2026, beginning at the Place de la Fontaine in front of the Laiterie. The parade will be accompanied by live music, and the burning of the winter man and the fir tree will take place on Chemin des Ouaches.
Programme:6pm: Parade kicks off with live music
6.30pm: Snacks and treats from the Confrérie de l’Épée de Bossy sur Collex
7pm: The burning of the Winter Man and fir tree
For more information, click here (in French).
Confignon
The commune of Confignon will burn their Winter Man in the grounds of Cressy School on Friday 20 March 2026. The event will take place from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, with a disco starting at 8pm. There will be refreshments available on site.
Programme:6.30pm: Start of the parade7.15pm: Burning of the Winter Man8pm – 11.30pm: Disco
For more information, click here (in French).
Grand-Saconnex
The commune of Grand-Saconnex will hold their celebration behind Grand-Saconnex Place school on Friday 20 March 2026 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, where there will be entertainment and refreshments on site.
For more information, click here (in French).
Meyrin The commune of Meyrin will host their festivities in Jardin Robinson on Saturday 21 March 2026 from 2pm to 9pm. Expect music and other entertainment, as well as light refreshments on offer.
For more information, click here (in French).
Versoix The commune of Versoix has their Winter Man Parade on Friday 20 March 2026. The procession starts from Ami-Argand school and the burning of the Winter Man will take place on Port-Choiseul beach. There will be entertainment and music, refreshments, and snacks offered to all children.
Programme:4.45pm: Procession departs from Ami-Argand school5.30pm: Burning of the "Winter Man" at Port-Choiseul beach
For more information, click here (in French).
Article date: 14 March 2026
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