Soleils d'Hiver

Soleils d'Hiver: The Magic of Christmas in Angers

Since 1995, Soleils d'Hiver has illuminated the city center of Angers for five weeks, from late November to early January. Organized by the City of Angers, this winter festivities program transforms the Angevin city into a haven of lights, shows, and conviviality. With its 600,000 visitors per edition, Soleils d'Hiver has become one of the most popular Christmas events in the Grand Ouest region.

Activities for All Audiences

The Soleils d'Hiver program combines street arts, circus arts, strolling performances, fun and creative workshops, magical rides, and meetings with Santa Claus. Among the iconic attractions are the 1900 carousel on Place du Ralliement, the Ferris wheel and the aerial spheres of the Magic Tree in the Jardin du Mail, the La Pomme caterpillar ride on Place Lorraine, and the wooden horse carousel on Place Molière.

The Christmas Circus

An unmissable highlight of Soleils d'Hiver, the French-Italian Christmas Circus offers daily performances during the holidays, providing a traditional circus show accessible to the whole family.

The Elves' Workshops

At the Salons Curnonsky, the Elves' Workshops welcome children for supervised creative activities: crafts, painting, Christmas decorations. The workshops are open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during school terms, and every day during holidays.

An Ethical and Solidarity Commitment

Soleils d'Hiver was born from a desire to boost downtown commerce against competition from peripheral shopping areas. In 2001, the municipality integrated a solidarity and ethical dimension by promoting fair trade and solidarity initiatives, making the event much more than just a commercial operation.