Chamonix hosts events throughout the year, from world-class winter sports competitions to summer trail-running ultramarathons and alpine music festivals. Most events are free to watch and take place in or near the town centre. The biggest event is the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in late August, which draws more than 10,000 runners and 100,000 spectators. Here is the Chamonix events and festivals calendar, organised by season. Chamonix travel tips
Chamonix Events and Festivals: Winter (December to March)
Chamonix Christmas Market and Festivities
From mid-December through early January, Chamonix transforms with Christmas lights, a village market on place du Triangle de l’Amitié with 20-30 wooden chalets selling crafts and local food, and an ice skating rink in the town centre. Santa Claus descends from the Aiguille du Midi by cable car on December 24 in a widely photographed tradition. The town holds a torchlight descent by ski instructors on December 24 and December 31, followed by fireworks over the mountains at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Accommodation during this period is at its annual peak; book 6-12 months ahead. where to stay in Chamonix
Kandahar World Cup Ski Races
The Kandahar is a classic downhill ski race held at Les Houches (the Verte piste) typically in late January or early February. It is part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit for men’s downhill and super-G. Spectators can watch from the finish area for free or access the course for about 15 euros. The event draws large crowds and brings a festival atmosphere to the valley. Exact dates are confirmed by FIS about 3-4 months ahead. The best viewing spots are near the finish area at Les Houches, accessible by regular ski bus from Chamonix. Chamonix neighbourhoods guide
Chamonix Ski Mountaineering Competitions
Chamonix is a centre for ski mountaineering (skimo) racing. The main event is the Chamonix SkiAlp, a two-day skimo competition held in early March with individual and team races. Routes typically ascend 2,000-3,000 metres of vertical across the ski areas. It is part of the French Cup circuit and attracts elite athletes and amateur racers. Spectating is free; the best viewing is at the transitions and finish areas at Argentière or Le Tour. The Mont Blanc Ski Marathon in March is a longer team event traversing the massif. things to do in Chamonix
Chamonix Events and Festivals: Summer (June to September)
Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)
The UTMB is the world’s premier trail-running event, held during the last week of August (Monday to Sunday). It consists of seven races of varying distances, from the 15km YCC youth race to the flagship 171km UTMB that circumnavigates Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland. About 10,000 runners from over 100 countries participate across all events. The start and finish are in Chamonix town centre, where a massive race village with exhibitor stands, gear shops, and food stalls takes over the pedestrian area. Spectating is free and the atmosphere is electric, with runners finishing day and night throughout the week. If you are not running, this is the worst week to visit for anything else: accommodation is booked solid a year in advance, trails are crowded, and the town is packed. Plan around it (visit the week before or after) unless you are participating. best time to visit Chamonix
Fête des Guides (Guides’ Festival)
Held annually on August 15 (Assumption Day public holiday), the Fête des Guides is Chamonix’s oldest traditional festival, running since 1924. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix organises a day of celebrations including a parade through town, rescue demonstrations, alpine horn performances, and a sound-and-light show on the mountainside in the evening. The day concludes with fireworks. The festival honours the mountain guide profession that put Chamonix on the map. All events are free and family-friendly. The morning parade starts at the Guides’ headquarters (place de l’Église) and proceeds through the main streets. Chamonix weather by month
Cosmojazz Festival
Cosmojazz is a unique music festival that takes jazz, electronic, and world music into the mountains. Held over a long weekend in late July, the festival stages free concerts at high-altitude venues accessible by cable car: the Aiguille du Midi terrace (3,842m), Plan de l’Aiguille (2,317m), and Flégère (1,877m). Additional paid evening concerts take place in Chamonix town venues. The high-altitude concerts require a lift pass to access. The 2024 edition featured about 20 artists over 4 days. The combination of live music and alpine panoramas makes this one of the most distinctive festivals in the Alps. Check the official website for exact dates, typically announced in April. Chamonix travel guide
Marathon du Mont-Blanc
The Marathon du Mont-Blanc is a trail-running weekend held in late June, featuring races from 10km to 90km. It is separate from the UTMB and typically draws about 5,000 runners. The 42km marathon course crosses through Chamonix, Les Houches, and the surrounding trails with about 2,500 metres of elevation gain. The event includes a vertical kilometre race and a children’s mini-cross. Spectating along the course is free. Registration opens in November and sells out quickly for the marathon distance. The event is smaller and less disruptive to the town than the UTMB, so visiting Chamonix during the Marathon du Mont-Blanc is still feasible for non-runners.
Chamonix Events and Festivals: Spring, Autumn, and Special Events
Chamonix Film Festival
The Chamonix Film Festival takes place in early December, featuring mountain, adventure, and environmental documentary films. Screenings are held at the Majestic cinema in Chamonix and at venues in the surrounding villages. The festival includes filmmaker Q&As and awards across several categories including Best Mountain Film and Best Environmental Film. Tickets cost about 8-10 euros per screening or 40 euros for a festival pass. This is a small but well-curated event that coincides with the start of the ski season, making it a good reason to visit in early December before the Christmas rush.
Ice Climbing World Cup
Chamonix hosts a round of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in February, with athletes competing on an artificial ice tower constructed at the Espace Guillaumat in Chamonix Sud. Speed and lead climbing events run over a weekend. Entry is free for spectators. The event attracts the world’s best ice climbers and is a good spectator sport with a DJ and commentary. Exact dates vary but typically fall in the second or third weekend of February.
Musilac Mont-Blanc
Musilac Mont-Blanc is a pop-rock music festival held over a weekend in late April at the Le Biollay outdoor venue near Chamonix. It is the alpine edition of the larger Musilac festival in Aix-les-Bains. The lineup features French and international pop, rock, and electro acts. A two-day pass costs about 70 euros. The festival marks the end of the winter season and draws about 5,000 attendees per day. Accommodation should be booked by February for this event.
