What’s on: Gospel music, ice rinks and Santa fun

“Voices of Gospel”, various cities, now through December 18

This concert series showcases some of America’s best gospel singers. Three choirs from Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio perform their stirring repertoires at churches and event halls all over Switzerland.

Festival Arbres & Lumières, Geneva, now through January 3, 2010

Every year, Geneva’s trees are transformed using the magic of light and the creativity of artists from around the world. While a few are trimmed like typical Christmas trees, most take on more unusual and modern forms.

Live on Ice, Zurich, now through January 3, 2010

The star of this show is you! For the next month, the courtyard of Switzerland’s national museum serves as an ice rink. Admission is free and skates can be rented on site. Special lighting effects and catering tents add to the atmosphere.

Celtic harp concerts, Zurich and Basel, December 3-4

Enjoy Celtic harps and candlelight in this mini-series of Advent concerts. The performances include some of Ireland's best loved carols, harp music, dance tunes and songs, plus lots of interesting lore about Christmases past in Ireland.

Locarno on Ice, December 3 to January 10

The ice rink in Locarno’s Piazza Grande opens up this Thursday. Admission is two francs; kids under 10 skate free. To warm up, grab a drink at the “igloo” bar. Meanwhile, the city’s annual Christmas market is on from December 10-24.

Saint Nicolas procession, Küssnacht am Rigi (SZ), December 4

The “Küssnachter Klausjagen” is considered to be one of Europe’s most impressive traditions related to Saint Nicolas. The procession involves 200 lanterns, 1,000 noisy costume-clad “Santa chasers” and a crowd of about 20,000 spectators.

“Les Urbaines” emerging arts festival, Lausanne, December 4-6

For three days, the city turns into a hotspot for the arts. The festival features some 50 projects related to visual arts, living arts and music, presented in a dozen venues. And it’s totally free, as is public transit for festival goers!

“Red Riding Hood” pantomime, Geneva, December 4-6

Geneva’s Amateur Operatic Society is putting on this traditional British pantomime. Cheer on the action, watch the dancing, sing along and join the cast in wishing this Red Riding Hood who is not so “little” and her handsome prince a happy ending.

Medieval market, Château de Chillon, December 5-20

The “Compagnie des Tours” presents medieval castle life on several dates in December. Docents will reconstruct a typical kitchen and demonstrate skills such as pottery, blacksmithing, shoemaking, leather tanning and basket-weaving.

10^th annual Santa Claus Swim, Zurich, December 6

Crazy and bold, wet and cold – these people are happy to plunge into Zurich’s chilly (about 4° C) Limmat River. Dive suits are allowed, but the organizers say they’re for wimps. Festive Santa hats, however, are encouraged.

“Snake in the Grass” play reading, Geneva, December 8

This eerie play by Alan Ayckbourn is about two sisters who haven't met for 20 years and the nurse of their dead father. The Geneva English Drama Society is hosting the reading, and anybody is welcome to join and perhaps read along.

Coming up:

Total Immersion swimming course, Filzenbach, February 27-28

During this weekend clinic in English, you’ll learn how to swim faster and more efficiently using the “Total Immersion” method of crawl-style swimming. Instructor Marco Pilloud will reveal many secrets to help you to swim like a fish.

(Click here to read the related article.)