Lausanne’s Bô Noël 2025: The Final Edition
The City of Lausanne has announced that the 2025 edition of Bô Noël will be the last under the current format, with a replacement concept slated for 2026. The decision, disclosed this week by municipal authorities, signals a turning point for the city’s end‑of‑year celebrations and invites organizers to submit fresh proposals for a new approach.
A four-year plan to reinvent the festive season
In a press release, Lausanne explained that it intends to “build on the festival’s success” by entrusting a single organizer, contracted for four years, with the design and execution of a new concept for the end‑of‑year festivities. The aim is to create a coherent program aligned with Lausanne’s broader tourism strategy, while ensuring close consultation with the business community and other stakeholders.
Why change now?
Bô Noël has grown into a landmark event since its inception in 2015, drawing hundreds of thousands to the city center. The 2024 edition attracted more than 400,000 visitors, though the decision to relocate some activities to Plateforme 10—such as the large observation wheel—met with mixed reactions. The city contends that reimagining the event can better serve Lausanne’s long‑term tourism goals and respond to the needs of residents and commerce alike.
What will replace Bô Noël?
Specific details of the new concept remain to be announced. The municipality plans to replace the current format with a fresh, cohesive program designed by a dedicated organizer under a four-year mandate starting in 2026. The objective is to produce a holiday experience that integrates smoothly with Lausanne’s tourism strategy, while remaining accessible to locals and visitors.
The call for projects
Lausanne launched a call for projects on Tuesday, inviting qualified organizers to submit proposals. Proposals will be evaluated on their ability to deliver a coherent tourist product, ensure sustainable operations, support local businesses, and reflect inclusive, family‑friendly values. The city emphasizes that the chosen concept should be developed in close partnership with economic actors and other city services.
Implications for residents, businesses, and visitors
For residents, a reimagined end‑of‑year festival could bring more sustainable logistics, improved crowd management, and better accessibility. For merchants and partners, the four‑year mandate offers continuity and the opportunity to co‑design a festival that supports the local economy over time. For visitors, the goal remains to deliver a high‑quality, festive season experience that showcases Lausanne as a year‑end destination while respecting the city’s daily rhythms.
What happens next?
The city plans to assess proposals and select a contractor for the four‑year cycle, beginning in 2026. Details about criteria, timelines, and the envisioned programme will be shared as the process progresses. Lausanne’s leadership stresses that this transition is deliberate and designed to strengthen the city’s overall tourism strategy and economic approach to major events.
Closing thoughts
End‑of‑year celebrations are a key part of Lausanne’s identity, and the decision to end Bô Noël in its current form signals a new era. The municipality’s commitment to a collaborative, long‑term project suggests a festive season that is both innovative and rooted in the city’s values and economic realities.
