Nova brings the end of the year to life on Place Georges-Python in Fribourg. The light event runs from Thursday 26 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
The story
Nova is the winter gathering of Fribourg’s city centre. The 2025 edition was the second, from 27 November to 23 December. It drew more than 22,500 visitors, against about 17,000 the year before. The area then stretched from Pérolles to the cathedral.
In 2025, some forty shops and restaurants joined the celebrations. The light installation “Végétalum”, by the Erik Barray studio, adorned Place Sainte-Catherine. From January 2026, the city authorities were preparing the next edition with their partners.
Who organises it
The City of Fribourg organises Nova with its partners, according to the Keystone-ATS news agency. Fribourg Tourism shares the programme and informs visitors. Chalets can be booked on the official Nova website.
What to find
Place Georges-Python welcomes children and adults for a month of festivities. An ice rink and Eisstock games liven up the square. A fondue tavern and food stands complete the offer. Evening events also punctuate the month.
Private chalets host colleagues and friends around a Chinese fondue. The website also invites companies to hold their year-end outing there. The Course des Klaus and the Course des Lutins races bring adults and children together. A shop-window competition involves Fribourg retailers.
Practical information
- Dates, Thursday 26 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026
- Times, Wednesday 11 am–11 pm, Thursday 11 am–1 am, Friday and Saturday 11 am–1.30 am, Sunday 11 am–9 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday
- Exceptions, closed Wednesday 2 December, open Tuesday 22 December 11 am–11 pm
- Venue, Place Georges-Python, 1700 Fribourg
- Bookings, private chalets on the Nova website
- Information, Fribourg Tourism, +41 26 350 11 11
Links
- Official site, Nova Fribourg
- Fribourg Tourism, Nova, the Year-End Light Event
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- Fribourg Tourism, Nova, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Nova Fribourg, home page, accessed on 14 November 2026
- La Télé, success for Nova, Keystone-ATS, January 2026, accessed on 14 November 2026
- La Télé, Nova returns to Fribourg, November 2025, accessed on 14 November 2026
- City of Fribourg, 1700 bulletin no. 419, accessed on 14 November 2026
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