Soleils d'Hiver
Christmas festivities in Angers
About Soleils d'Hiver
Created in 1995, Soleils d'Hiver is the winter festivities program for the city of Angers. From late November to early January, the city center lights up and comes alive with street performances, circus arts, creative workshops, magical rides, the arrival of Santa Claus, Christmas markets, and numerous activities for all ages. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
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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.
Soleils d'Hiver — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Soleils d'Hiver will animate the center of Angers from late November 2026 to early January 2027. The program will again feature street performances, circus arts, creative workshops, magical rides, meetings with Santa Claus, and the city's illuminations. The detailed program will be announced in autumn 2026.
Soleils d'Hiver 2026 — From late November to early January
Soleils d'Hiver returns for a new edition from late November 2026 to early January 2027. The center of Angers will once again be illuminated with its street performances, its Christmas Circus, its magical rides, its Elves' Workshops, and its Santa Claus village. The detailed program will be announced in autumn 2026.
Prices Soleils d'Hiver 2026
Practical information — Soleils d'Hiver
Practical Information
Locations
Angers City Center: Place du Ralliement, Jardin du Mail, Place Lorraine, Place Molière, Salons Curnonsky, and other squares and streets in the center.
Access
By tram: Line A, Ralliement or Place Molière stop.
By bus: Irigo network, numerous lines serving the city center.
By car: Ralliement, Marengo, République parking lots.
Prices
Access to street performances, illuminations, and markets: free. Prices for rides and the Christmas Circus (generally €3 to €10).
Schedules
Street performances on Saturdays and Sundays in December, and December 24th. Christmas Circus daily from December 20th to January 4th, at 3 PM and 5 PM.
Elves' Workshops
Salons Curnonsky — Wednesdays at 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM, and 5:30 PM. Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:45 PM, and 5:30 PM. Daily during school holidays.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Soleils d'Hiver
Centre-ville d'Angers
Place du Ralliement, 49000 Angers