What's On Today: Friday, January 09, 2009

Giant nativity scene presenting life in Paris in 1491. The scene measures 18m and includes 421 characters with the nativity scene in the centre. At the Centre Commercial La Praille, 10 Route des Jeunes. An exhibition will also take place throughout the shopping centre representing different episodes of the life of Jesus Christ. Open from 11:00-19:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 304 80 00.

End of year festivities with fair ground attractions and entertainment for the kids at the Plaine de Plainpalais. Open from 14:00 to midnight.

6th edition of this dance festival featuring a variety of dancers and choreographers from both the local and the international scene. At the Théâtre de l"usine, 4 Place des Volontaires. Tel: +41 (0)22 328 08 18.

Jubilee to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Jean Calvin. Events and activities all on the theme of Jean Calvin, the Geneva-based leader of the Protestant Reformation, will take place at various locations in Geneva.

Exhibition presenting a collection of carved New Caledonian bamboos which were the passion of Marguerite Lobsiger-Dellenbach, former museum director. Open from 10:00-17:00 at the Musée d'Ethnographie Carl-Vogt, 65 Boulevard Carl-Vogt. Entry CHF 3-5 per person. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 45 50.

Exhibition exploring the universe of football from an anthropological point of view. At the Musée d'Ethnographie, 7 Chemin Calandrini. Open from 10:00-17:00. Entry CHF 3-5 per person. Tel: +41 (0)22 346 01 25.

Monographic exhibition by Sylvie Fleury. Open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00-18:00, weekends from 11:00-18:00. At the MAMCO, 10 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers. Entry CHF 8. Tel: +41 (0)22 320 61 22.

Italy Before Rome, an exhibition highlighting the cultural evolution of the Italian peninsula. At the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, 2 Rue Charles-Galland. Open from 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 26 00.

Walls Between People, an exhibition featuring photographs of walls separating human communities. These include the Green Line dividing Cyprus, the Demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, Peace Lines separating neighbourhoods in Belfast and Northern Ireland, the Fence between the US and Mexico, the Electrified Wall between Pakistan and India, the Security Fence between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Protective Fencing around the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in Morocco. At the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et de la Crescent Rouge, 17 Avenue de la Paix. Open from 10:00-17:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 748 95 06.

The first revolution of the book, an exhibition showcasing the different techniques used to produce a single handmade book to one that can be reproduced in series (the incunabulum). At the Bibliothèque de Genève, Promenade des Bastions. Free entry. Open Monday to Friday from 09:00-18:00, Saturday from 09:00-12:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 28 00.

Hungaria's white gold, an exhibition of Herend fine porcelain. At the Musée Ariana, 10 Avenue de la Paix. Open from 10:00-17:00. Entry CHF 5, free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 54 50.

An exhibition of Japanese drawings, origami, Haiku and books at the Bibliothèque (library) in Eaux-Vives. Part of the celebrations taking place in Geneva to celebrate Japanese culture.

Masterpieces of expertise, a temporary exhibition presenting pieces from other museums and private collectors as well as from the Musée de l'Horlogerie et de l'Emaillerie. The theme of the exhibition is the school-watch, a pieces that signals the student's completion of his apprenticeship. At the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, 2 rue Charles Galland. Open from 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 26 00.

An opportunity to see the collection of Islamic fabrics from Egypt, which for reasons of preservation cannot be displayed permanently. At the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, 2 Rue Charles-Galland. Open from 10:00-17:00. Entry CHF 3-5. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 26 00.

Collection of drawings, watercolours and gouche paintings on display at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, 2 Rue Charles-Galland. Open from 10:00-17:00. Entry CHF 3-5. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 26 00.

Exhibition on the theme of the pharaohs and Egyptian queens that explores the relationship between power, art and religion. At the Musée d'art et d'histoire, 2 Rue Charles-Galland. Open from 10:00-17:00. Entry CHF 3-5, free for the under 18s and on the first Sunday of the month. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 26 00.

Exhibition of objexts made out of bronze, copper and iron. At the Musée Barbier-Mueller, 10 Rue Calvin. Entry CHF 5-8, free for the under 12s. Open from 11:00-17:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 312 02 70.

A number of works held in private collections in Geneva, and over 40 art works by the couple couple Stephani Vernet will be on display at the musée Voltaire. A 25 Rue des Délices. Open from 14:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 344 71 33.

Exhibition highlighting the 10,000 different species of flora and fauna in the Geneva canton. Visitors can follow four different itineraries and discover this array of nature at the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, 1 Route de Malagnou. Open from 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 63 00.

Exhibition of photographs taken by Raymond Zufferey that highlight the fragility and the elegance of dragonflys. At the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, 1 Route de Malagnou. Open from 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 63 00.

Entertaining and educational exhibition highlighting the passage of time. At the Musée d'Histoire des Sciences, 128 Rue de Lausanne. Open from 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 50 60.

Exhibition highlighting the exuberance and extravagance of the Piaget brand, with a selection of some of their most famous watches and jewellery. Visitors can discover watches that belonged to Andy Warhol as well as a piece designed by Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard that has never been revealed to the public outside of Japan. At the Piaget Time Gallery, 40 Rue du Rhône. Reservations required. Tel: +41 (0)22 817 02 02.

Exhibition of works by the comic strip artist and scriptwriter Wazem. At the Bibliothèque de la Cité, 5 Place des Trois-Perdrix. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00-19:00 and Saturday 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 32 50.

All-day playgroup for toddlers aged 11 to 24 months. From 08:00-18:00. Based in the town centre near the Cornavin railway station. Tel: +41 (0)78 646 36 81.

The Kiddie Club Bilingual Playgroup is for children from 8 months to 4 years. Classes are held on: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday mornings from 09:30-11:00; Tuesday, Thursday afternoon from 14:00-15:30. At the Kiddie ClubHouse, 66 route de Chêne, 1208 Geneva (next to the International School LGB). Parking available. Tram 12 or 16 Stop Grange Canal. Tel. +41 (0)22 736 43 92

Special area reserved for children aged 2 to 12 in Hall 7 of the Geneva Palexpo with inflatable castles, trampolines, a car track, playhouses and many other activities. Closed on Monday, Tuesday, THursday and Friday except on bank holidays and during school holidays. CHF 12 per child. Tel: +41 (0)79 213 29 26 or e-mail info@espacejunior.com

After school squash group training for kids with a pick up from certain schools. In Meyrin and Cologny. For further details contact info@msmcamps.com

Works by Claude Debussy, Ernest Chausson and Cesar Franck performed by Wendy Ghysels, violin and Deborah Lee, piano. At the Palais de l'Athénée, 2 Rue de l'Athénée at 18:45. Tel: +41 (0)22 310 18 91.

After-work venue with live jazz from 17:00-22:00. Food and drinks available. Smoking outside. Free entry. At 6, Rue Pradier. Tel: +41 (0)22 738 97 42.

AktivBootCamp, a motivating exercise programme. At 07:30, 12:30 and 18:00 on Monday, Wednesday, at 18:00 on Thursdays and 07:30 and 12:30 on Fridays. Fitness programmes take place in the Jardin Botanique. To register send an e-mail to info@bootcampsuisse.ch.

MiniBootCamp, a new, outdoor exercise programme for Mums to get back into shape. At 09:00 for Mums with baby in trolley at the Centre sportif, Versoix and at 14:00 on Wednesdays in central Geneva. To register send an e-mail to info@bootcampsuisse.ch.

Outdoor ice skating rink in the Parc des Bastions. Free entry, but small fee to hire ice skates. Tel: +41 (0)22 418 43 60.

Workshop for those who want to develop their abilities in writing poems, essays, short stories or novels. Open to all members of the Library in English. Meetings take place in the Emmanuel Church building, 3 rue de Monthoux, on the 3rd Friday of each month, from 09:30-12:30. For further information and for contact details see the website.

Visit the world's largest particle physics centre. CERN daily guided tours in several languages. Free of charge and open to everybody but not suitable for children under 10. Reservation obligatory. Depending on the period of the year, a long booking notice is advisable.

Geneva Tourism proposes you to stroll through 2'000 years of Geneva’s history independently and at your own pace. The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours. Languages available: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Arab and Korean. Rental place: Geneva Tourist Office, 18 Rue du Mont-Blanc. Price CHF 10 + CHF 50 and ID on deposit. Tel. +41 (0)22 909 70 00.

The American International Women's Club of Geneva organises a two hour hike every Friday morning. To join send an e-mail address to berthe.reinke@bluewin.ch or annickrudy@bluewin.ch.

Weekly toddlers group organised by the Neuchatel International Club. From 15:30-17:30. For further information e-mail info@thenic.ch.

Guided tours of the sights and monuments of Ferney-Voltaire in English. Tours possible all year round, reservations in advance necessary. Bookings at the Tourist Office, 26 Grand'Rue, Ferney-Voltaire. Tel: +33 (0)4 50 28 09 16.

Intersoccer organises soccer for boys and girls aged 5-13 from 10:00-15:00. At La Chataignerie International School. Book online

An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Afi Nafissy and Mary-Claude Robert. At the Galérie d'Arfi, 52 Rue du Centre, St-Sulpice. Open Wednesday to Friday from 14:30-18:30, Saturday from 09:30-18:30. Tel: +41 (0)21 691 14 28.

Exhibition of photographs and sculptures by Daniel Rohrbasser, all on the theme of the Arctic. At the Galerie Agnès Martel, La Dîme, Crêt de l'Eglise in Pampigny. Open Thursday and Sunday from 13:00-18:00, Friday and Saturday 13:00-20:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 800 30 50.

Exhibition of paintings and bronze sculptures by Véronique Guinard. At the Galerie ACB, 2 Route d'Aubonne in Gimel. Open Wednesday 09:00-12:00, Thursday to Saturday 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00, Sunday 14:00-18:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 828 28 01.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary the Choeur de Sarraz and its 35 members are holidng four exceptional concerts on 1, 2 4 and 11 January and will perform works by Offenbach. In the Salle du Casino in La Sarraz. Diner and concert at 19:00 on 1 January, CHF 65 per person. At 20:30 on 2 January and at 17:00 on 4 and 11 January, CHF 30 per person. For reservations Tel: +41 (0)21 866 12 10.

An ice skating rink will be set up during the festive season in the district of Flon. Open Tuesday 11:30-19:00, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30-21:00, Friday and Saturday 11:30-22:00, Sunday from 11:30-19:00, Monday, reservations only. CHF 5 to rent ice skates. Refreshments and cheese fondue available.

Exhibition showcasing a hundred years of ice hockey. Find out about the different teams and strategies and see legendary ice hockey matches. At the Musée Olympique, Quai d'Ouchy. Open from 09:00-18:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 621 65 11.

Exhibition highlighting the Olympics and art at the beginning of the 20th century. At the time five artistic competitions for architects, musicians, painters, sculptors and writers were held. The winners would then bring their own creativity to the Olympic Games until this was replaced by simple exhibitions and then cultural festivals. Open from 09:00-18:00. At the Musée Olympique, 1 Quai d'Ouchy. Tel: +41 (0)21 621 65 11.

Exhibition of works by the sculptor, illustrator and painter Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923). At the Musée cantonal des beaux-arts, 6 Place de la Riponne. Open Tuesday, Wednesday 11:00-18:00, Thursday 11:00-20:00, Friday to Sunday from 11:00-17:00. Entry CHF 10, free for the under 16s. Tel: +41 (0)21 316 34 45.

An exhibition of lithographs by François Burland, Olivier Estoppey, Stéphane Fretz, Jean-Michel Jaquet, Carla Neis, Anne Peverelli and Didier Rittener. At the Musée Cantonal de Géologie, Espace Arlaud, 2 bis Place de la Riponne. Open Wednesday to Friday from 12:00-18:00, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00-17:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 692 44 70.

Exhibition presenting some of the finest opals, the gem remowned for bringing beauty, happiness and fortune to its owner. At the Musée Cantonal de Géologie, Palais de Rumine, 6 Place de la Riponne. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00-18:00, Friday to Sunday from 11:00-17:00. Entry CHF 6, free for children. Tel: +41 (0)21 692 44 70.

Exhibition presenting over 100 different kinds of reptiles including geckos, snakes, crocodiles, iguanas and lizards. At the Vivarium de Lausanne, 82 Chemin de Boissonnet. Open Monday and Friday from 13:00-18:00, Wednesday and weekends from 10:00-18:00, Thursday 13:00-22:00. Entry CHF 12, CHF 6 for children aged 5 to 14. Tel: +41 (0)21 21 652 72 94.

Exhibition presenting works by 15 Scottish designers inlcuding Blue Marmalade, Leigh Ferguson, Paul Kerlaff, Beca Lipscombe, Alex Milton, Mimetics, One Foot Taller, O Street, Timorous Beasties, Derek Welsh, Katy West et Donna Wilson. At the MUDAC, 6 Place de la Cathédrale. Entry CHF 10, free for the under 16s. Open from 11:00-18:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 315 25 30.

Retrospective of works by the photographer Valérie Belin. The majority of the photographs, taken over the last two decades, are characterised by a sharp contrast between black and white, except for the most recent ones that are in colour. At the Musée de l'Elysée, 18 Avenue de l'Elysée. Open 11:00-18:00. Entry CHF 8.

Find out about the past through a series of games, enigmas, challenges and charades. At the Musée Romain de Lausanne-Vidy, 24 Chemin du Bois-de-Vaux. Open from 11:00-18:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 315 41 85.

Exhibition of photographs by Yvan Dalain. At the Musée Suisse de l‘Appareil Photographique, 99 Grande Place. Open from 11:00-17:30. Entry CHF 8, free for the under 16s. Tel: +41 (0)21 925 21 40 /

An exhibition of works by Annie Gerst and Patrick Walter. At the Hotel La Longeraie. Open Monday to Friday from 08:00-22:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 804 64 00.

Exhibition of works by Marie-Pierre Maurer, portraying the world of ice, snow, mountains and ice floes. At the Galérie Soleil de m'inuit, 48 rue Louis-de-Savoie. Open Wednesday to Friday from 13:30-18:30, Saturday 10:00-17:00. Tel: +41 (0)21 802 37 77.

Exhibition presenting the hidden side of Léman, its legends and its tales. At the Musée du Léman, 8 quai Louis Bonnard. Open from 10:00-17:00 April to October and 14:00-17:00 from November to March.Tel: +41 (0)22 361 92 20.

Exhibition of gouaches by Fabienne Wyler. At the Galérie d'Art Junod, 23 Grand'Rue. Open Tuesday to Friday from 15:00-18:00 and Saturday from 13:30-16:30. Tel: +41 (0)22 363 13 33.

Collective art exhibition featuring works by Alexandre Joly, Fred Eerdekens, Graciela Sacco, Eric Poitevin, Trine Sondergaard, Nicolai Howalt, Not Vital, Ignazio Bettua and Peter Emch. At the Château de Nyon, open from 14:00-17:00. Entry €8. Tel: +41 (0)22 363 83 51.

Exhibition with over 200 art works presenting the history of drinks in Switzerland. Find out where Schweppes was drunk for the first time in Switzerland, what taste wine used to have and what the phylloxera looks like. At the Musée National Suisse, Château de Prangins. Open from 11:00-17:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 994 88 96.