Due to the energy crisis, the 2022 Winterlights will shine for a shorter duration than in 2021 and 19% of the decorations have been removed. Photo: Shutterstock

Due to the energy crisis, the 2022 Winterlights will shine for a shorter duration than in 2021 and 19% of the decorations have been removed. Photo: Shutterstock

Luxembourg’s annual Winterlights will be illuminated only for 6 hours a day compared to 19 hours last year. This is a way for the City of Luxembourg to still bring a sparkle to end-of-year festivities while taking into account the energy crisis.

Luxembourg City’s Christmas market returns this Friday 18 November for a 2022 edition marked not by health restrictions, but by the energy crisis. "A number of decorations have been removed and the lighting hours shortened," (DP), the capital's mayor, told the press on Monday.

In practice, the municipality plans to deploy 1,146 decorations, which is 19% less than in 2021. As for the illuminations, they will no longer shine for 19 hours a day but for 6 hours.

“Our services estimate that we will be able to make energy savings of 30% compared to the previous edition," said (DP), alderman for the festivities. Already used in large numbers last year, energy-saving LED devices will be again deployed throughout the festivities with 432,000 fireflies and lightbulbs to brighten up the capital during this darkest time of the year.

Market on six sites

This year, the Winterlights will take place on six different sites. The "Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart" will take place on the Place d'Armes with 38 chalets and musical entertainment, while the "Wantermaart" will be held on the Place de la Constitution with 41 rides, including the big Ferris wheel. The chalets in the city centre will use reusable containers for drinks and meals, with a deposit system.

In the station area, the "Niklosmaart" will take place on the Place de Paris, as it did last year, with 16 chalets and entertainment, including the presence of the Great Saint.

in the Kinnekswiss park, this year it will be replaced by a "Wanterpark" with a gastronomic village of six chalets, as well as a stage for entertainment for a family audience. Children and their parents are also expected at the "Wanterkids" in the courtyard of the former Athenaeum and at the Glacis, where the "Lëtzebuerger Adventcircus" is back from 9 December to 8 January.

A private security company will also look after the Christmas market.
Lydie Polfer

Lydie Polfermayor (DP)Luxembourg

"A private security company will also look after the Christmas market", the mayor announced. "The security company is there to watch over the chalets and the market itself, while the police are deployed to ensure public safety," added Patrick Even, director of the centre region with the Grand Ducal Police.

Shops open on certain Sundays

Four Sunday openings for shops (27 November, 4, 11 and 18 December) are scheduled. "We expect a higher number of visitors than last year", said (CSV), the capital’s irst alderman. Now that the health restrictions have been lifted and the have been relayed to the archives this year, the authorities have not, however, communicated a numerical target for the attendance of the festivities.

Last year, more than 1.2m visitors came to the Christmas markets in Luxembourg City, where the Covid-check regime was in force.

Read this article in French on the site