L’Escalade 11th of December

Fete de l’Escalade is an annual festival held in December in Geneva, the festival celebrates the defeat of the surprise attack by troops sent by Charles Emmanuel I, during the night of 11-12 December 1602, the celebrations are usually held on 11th December or the closest weekend.

The celebrations include a large marmite made of chocolate filled with marzipan vegetables and candies wrapped in the Geneva colours of red and gold, other customs include mulled wine, a large serving of soup and children dress in Halloween like costumes singing Escalade songs for money. Children prepare vegetable soup to serve parents and families that night, there will be a parade on Sunday evening and a road running event held on the weekend before the night of 11th.