Automnales 2026, Geneva, from November 6 to 15, featuring a vibrant food festival and diverse exhibitors.
Dates
6–15 Nov 2026
City / country
Geneva, Switzerland
Venue
Palexpo
Time
Lundi à mercredi : 11h00 – 20h30, Jeudi : 11h00 – 22h00, Vendredis : 11h00 – 20h30, Samedis : 10h00 – 20h30, Dimanche 8 nov · : 10h00 – 20h30, Dimanche 15 nov · : 10h00 – 18h00
Companies exhibiting at Arvinis 2026 include 2ROUES GENÈVE, 360 DEGRES, 3SHEDS, AARON ET PÈRE and ABUS USA.
Event overview
The Automnales is a major event in Geneva that attracts a loyal, curious, and family-oriented audience every autumn.
From November 6 to 15, 2026, it will feature a food festival, a market, thematic events, and hundreds of exhibitors and varied animations.
TL;DR
Visitors can enjoy a unique blend of shopping, gastronomy, and entertainment, with opportunities to discover local products and engage with artisans.
Exhibitors gain visibility among a large audience, the chance to network with potential customers, and the opportunity to showcase their products in a vibrant setting. The event's diverse offerings attract a wide range of visitors, enhancing the potential for sales and partnerships.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Route François-Peyrot 30, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland
Parking is available at Palexpo, with designated spaces for people with reduced mobility. It is recommended to use public transport due to high attendance on weekends.
Parking: Parking is available at Palexpo, with designated spaces for people with reduced mobility. It is recommended to use public transport due to high attendance on weekends.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Adult
Valid for one entry
Reduced
For students, seniors, and unemployed individuals
Evening Ticket
Valid from 18:30
How the last edition performed
Current edition
2026 · 140,000 visitors · 600 exhibitors
Impact
The Automnales is a major event in Geneva that attracts a loyal, curious, and family-oriented audience every autumn. From November 6 to 15, 2026, it will feature a food festival, a market, thematic events, and hundreds of exhibitors and varied animations. The Automnales serves as a key platform for local businesses, artisans, and culinary experts to showcase their products and engage with a broad audience. It reflects the region's cultural richness and.
Audience quality
Visitors typically include Families looking for entertainment and activities, Food enthusiasts eager to explore local and international cuisines, Local artisans and craftspeople showcasing their products, Professionals in the food and beverage industry. Event dates: November 6-15, 2026. Location: Palexpo, Geneva. Expected attendance: 140,000 visitors. Over 600 exhibitors showcasing local products. Arvinis 2026 attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's published visitor positioning.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors gain visibility among a large audience, the chance to network with potential customers, and the opportunity to showcase their products in a vibrant setting. The event's diverse offerings attract a wide range of visitors, enhancing the potential for sales and partnerships. Exhibitor categories include Local food producers and artisans, Restaurants and food trucks offering diverse cuisines, Craftspeople showcasing handmade goods, Companies in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Palexpo is Switzerland's largest exhibition and congress centre and sits three kilometres from Geneva Airport on the Swiss–French border, giving a November consumer and speciality fair an unusually wide catchment: the city's international and diplomatic community, Suisse romande day-trippers, and cross-border visitors from neighbouring Haute-Savoie and the wider Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. For wine, food and lifestyle producers, the Geneva autumn season is the last major consumer-facing window before the year-end retail period, and the venue's airport adjacency makes it a low-friction stop for buyers combining Swiss and French meetings in one trip. Practical decision factors: high Swiss cost base (hotels, per diems, stand services quoted in CHF), excellent rail and air access, and a French-speaking audience where bilingual materials and local staff materially improve stand conversion.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Regional fairs are shifting from static stands toward tastings, masterclasses, chef demonstrations and staged evening programmes with reduced after-work tickets.
Overall per-capita wine consumption in Switzerland is broadly flat to declining, but spend per bottle and interest in terroir-led, organic and low-intervention wines keeps rising.
Geneva's catchment spans French-speaking Switzerland, France and an international expatriate community, so visitors switch between French and English within the same hall.
Consumer fairs increasingly sell dated or timed entry online alongside on-the-door tickets, and use pre-registration data for exhibitor lead lists.
Swiss organisers face pressure on waste, reusables and local sourcing, and are folding these requirements into exhibitor rules.
Peer fairs worth diarising around Arvinis 2026 — the spring European wine-trade cluster (Düsseldorf, Verona, Paris, Bologna), the Swiss domestic wine-fair calendar (Arvinis in Morges, Expovina in Zurich) and the autumn Geneva consumer-fair season at Palexpo.
February – April
European wine-trade cluster: Wine Paris, ProWein (March), Vinitaly (April) and the Swiss consumer fair Arvinis.
October – November
Swiss consumer-fair season, including Expovina in Zurich and the November Palexpo fairs in Geneva.
Peer events compiled from listing context plus a single enrichment web search; confirm exact dates and venue details on each organiser's website before planning travel.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Geneva Airport (Genève Aéroport)
Switzerland's second-busiest airport and the closest gateway to Palexpo — it sits directly on the Swiss/French border next to Le Grand-Saconnex, with an SBB station inside the terminal. Best option for almost all international visitors.
3 km
to venue
5–10 min by car/taxi off-peak; ~15 min by train + tram/bus
by car
Useful alternative for travellers from French regional or long-haul routes not served from GVA; add onward rail/car time to your arrival day.
~140 km
to venue
1 h 45 min – 2 h 15 min by car (A40/A41); ~2 h by TGV to Genève-Cornavin
by car
Switzerland's main long-haul hub; the train route is usually faster and more predictable than driving for a same-day transfer.
~280 km
to venue
~2 h 50 min by car; ~2 h 45 min – 3 h by direct IC train to Genève-Cornavin
by car
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Secondary option mainly for visitors combining the Geneva show with Basel/Zurich-region meetings.
~250 km
to venue
~2 h 40 min by car; ~3 h by train via Basel SBB
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–190 / night
Geneva is an expensive hotel market year-round; airport-belt budget chains are the only reliably sub-USD 200 option and fill fast on show dates.
sourceUSD 200–330 / night
Best balance of proximity and price for exhibitors and trade visitors; most run or share a shuttle to the halls.
sourceUSD 420–800 / night
Lakefront flagships for VIP hosting and evening entertaining; budget an extra CHF 25–40 each way by taxi from Palexpo.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram / Bus (TPG)
Trams/buses stop directly at the Palexpo entrances during fair days; allow 20–30 min from Cornavin in traffic.
Rideshare (Uber / Bolt)
Dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones at the terminal and at Palexpo; surge pricing during opening and closing hours.
Car / parking
Palexpo has large on-site parking but it fills during the busiest fair weekends; arrive before 10:00 for the closest halls.
Hotel shuttle
Several airport-area hotels run complimentary shuttles on show days — ask at booking, as schedules are limited.
taxi
Direct train from airport to Zurich HB in 10 min.
taxi
taxi
taxi
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Type C short-stay visa | Nationals of countries without a Schengen visa-exemption agreement (for example India, China, Turkey and most African and Middle Eastern states) travelling for tourism, fair attendance or business meetings of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. | $100.00 | Typically 15 calendar days from application; allow up to 45 days in peak periods — apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel. | |
| Visa-exempt short stay (90/180 rule) | EU/EFTA citizens and nationals of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other visa-waiver countries. | — | No application required — passport control at the border | |
| Airport transit visa (Type A) | Certain nationalities transiting Geneva Airport airside en route to a non-Schengen destination. | — | Typically 15 calendar days |
Most visitors from the EU/EFTA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea do not need a visa for a short business or fair visit to Switzerland, but the 90-days-in-180 rule applies and passports should be valid well beyond the show dates.
Switzerland is an ATA Convention member, so an ATA carnet can be used to temporarily import professional equipment, wine samples, display materials and stand fittings without paying duty or VAT deposits — confirm the carnet is stamped at the Swiss customs office on arrival (Geneva Airport has a dedicated counter).
Official visa pageWeather
November in Geneva is cool, often grey and damp: daytime highs of roughly 8–11 °C with overnight lows around 2–4 °C, and about 90–100 mm of rain spread over some 10 days of the month. Lake-basin fog and the cold northerly 'bise' wind make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests — bring layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes for the 10-day show.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Switzerland.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language and greetings
French is the working language in Geneva. Open every exchange with 'Bonjour' before switching to English — it is expected and appreciated in shops, hotels and at exhibition stands.
Tipping
Service and VAT are included in Swiss restaurant and bar bills. Tipping is optional: round up the bill or add 5–10% for good service, and hand it to the server rather than leaving it on the table.
Dress and punctuality at the fair
Swiss trade and consumer fairs are business-casual, with comfortable shoes essential across Palexpo's large halls. Appointments start on time, shops close on Sundays and evenings are quieter — build 10–15 minutes of buffer into your schedule.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: GVA
Book flights to GVA (Le Grand-Saconnex) when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue.
Switzerland is a Schengen country: EU/EFTA citizens and most visitors from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea can enter visa-free for short business or fair visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Nationals of non-exempt countries need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa (EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 for children 6–12, free under 6), typically processed in 15 calendar days — apply 4–6 weeks ahead via the Swiss embassy/consulate with travel-medical insurance covering Schengen.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
EUR 90 for adults (about USD 100); EUR 45 for children aged 6–12; free under 6. Apply at the Swiss embassy/consulate or its VFS/partner centre; biometrics are collected in person and travel-medical insurance covering Schengen is required. Entry is granted for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen area; carry a passport valid for the whole stay and evidence of accommodation an
OfficialFind a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Areas to stay
Geneva city centre / lakefront — Petit-Saconnex, Quai Wilson, Quai du Mont-Blanc (10–20 min by taxi to Palexpo) · Le Grand-Saconnex / Meyrin / Vernier, around Geneva Airport (5–15 min to Palexpo) · Le Grand-Saconnex / Route de Pré-Bois / Balexert — walking distance or 1–2 bus stops from Palexpo
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Geneva Airport (Genève Aéroport) (GVA): 5–10 min by car/taxi off-peak; ~15 min by train + tram/bus; Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS): 1 h 45 min – 2 h 15 min by car (A40/A41); ~2 h by TGV to Genève-Cornavin; Zurich Airport (ZRH): ~2 h 50 min by car; ~2 h 45 min – 3 h by direct IC train to Genève-Cornavin; EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL): ~2 h 40 min by car; ~3 h by train via Basel SBB. Allow road or rail time to Palexpo; on-site parking is usually available at major e
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Palexpo: Le Grand-Saconnex / Meyrin / Vernier, around Geneva Airport (5–15 min to Palexpo): ibis budget Genève Palexpo Aéroport, B&B Hôtel Genève Aéroport, Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport (Vernier); Le Grand-Saconnex / Route de Pré-Bois / Balexert — walking distance or 1–2 bus stops from Palexpo: Starling Hotel Geneva (Le Grand-Saconnex), ibis Styles Genève Palexpo, Crowne Plaza Geneva (Route de Pré-Bois); Geneva city centre / lakefront — Petit-Saconnex, Quai Wilson, Quai
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Le Grand-Saconnex; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Use local bus, tram, or metro routes serving Palexpo; check operator timetables.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Palexpo; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: 8–11 °C daytime highs, 2–4 °C overnight (Geneva November climatology)
Seasonality: One of the year's wetter and greyer months — around 90–100 mm of rain over roughly 10 days, with frequent morning fog over the lake basin and the cold 'bise' wind. Indoor fair conditions, but plan waterproof layers for transfers and city evenings.
Packing: November in Geneva is cool, often grey and damp: daytime highs of roughly 8–11 °C with overnight lows around 2–4 °C, and about 90–100 mm of rain spread over some 10 days of the month. Lake-basin fog and the cold northerly 'bise' wind make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests — bring layered
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Tuesday 10 November 2026
The show runs Friday 6 – Sunday 15 November 2026, so the opening Friday and the two weekends carry the heaviest public crowds and the longest queues for tastings and demos. A mid-week slot after the first weekend (Tuesday 10 or Wednesday 11 November) typically gives quieter aisles, more time with stand staff and the best chance of securing dated tasting/workshop slots, while the evening sessions (reduced evening ticket from CHF 5 after 18:30) still deliver the networking atmosphere. Avoid the closing Sunday if you need in-depth conversations, and check the organiser's programme page for the session schedule before fixing your day.
Confirm registration and download your visitor e-badge via the official ticketing portal. — Online registration at billetterie.automnales.ch; pre-registration reduces waiting at Palexpo.
Check passport validity and Swiss entry requirements for your nationality. — Confirm Schengen entry rules before booking and carry ID or passport for badge collection.
Book flights into Geneva Airport (GVA), roughly 3 km and 10 minutes from Palexpo. — GVA is the closest hub for the event; allow extra time for November schedules.
Reserve a hotel in Geneva near Palexpo or along the bus corridors. — Weekend attendance at Arvinis 2026 is high, so book early for 6-15 November 2026.
Buy or confirm your entry ticket. — Adult CHF 15, reduced CHF 7 for students, seniors and unemployed visitors, children 0-13 free.
Download the hall plan and exhibitor list to shortlist producers. — Plan a route through the Arvinis 2026 halls at Palexpo to use tasting time efficiently.
Map your journey to Palexpo. — Bus lines 5, 8, 50, 55, 58 and 59 serve the venue; taxi from GVA takes about 10 minutes.
Pre-schedule tastings and meetings with exhibitors. — Contact producers in advance and confirm stand numbers from the exhibitor list.
Prepare materials such as business cards and a tasting notebook. — Useful for recording wines and following up with producers after the show.
Check Geneva November weather and pack accordingly. — Expect cool late-autumn conditions; bring a warm outer layer for the commute to Palexpo.
Print or store your ticket and ID for badge collection. — Tickets are issued through the official online system; have them ready at the entrance.
Reconfirm opening hours before your visit. — Mon-Wed 11:00-20:30, Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri 11:00-20:30, Sat 10:00-20:30, Sun 10:00-18:00.
Arrival at Palexpo, security screening and badge/registration collection at the main entrance concourse
Palexpo main entrance / registration areaStructured hall walk — priority exhibitor stands, wine/produce tastings and product demos, with short pre-booked meetings
Main exhibition hallsLunch and informal networking with exhibitors and buyers
On-site catering areas and hall lounge zonesConference/tasting sessions and B2B follow-up meetings, then the evening programme (evening ticket from CHF 5 after 18:30)
Conference area / tasting pavilions, then hallsPalexpo entrance concourse and hall lounge zones
On-site networking
Highest concentration of exhibitors, buyers and press in the first and last hours of each day; easy to arrange follow-up meetings without leaving the venue.
On-site catering areas and tasting pavilions
Food, wine and hosted meetings
Gastronomy and wine exhibitors host tastings here — the natural place for informal introductions and evening invitations.
Le Grand-Saconnex / airport-belt hotel bars (Starling, Crowne Plaza, NH)
Off-site business networking
Where exhibitor teams and trade visitors stay and debrief after the halls close; walkable or a couple of stops from Palexpo and open later than the venue.
Budget
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · Adult
CHF 15 / per person
visitor_ticket
visitor · Reduced
CHF 7 / per person
visitor_ticket
visitor · Evening Ticket
CHF 5 / per person
visa_fee
visitor · Schengen Type C short-stay visa
USD 100 / per application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Adult | CHF 15 / per person | official | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Reduced | CHF 7 / per person | official | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Evening Ticket | CHF 5 / per person | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Schengen Type C short-stay visa | USD 100 / per application | official |
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You are sourcing, benchmarking or qualifying suppliers, or scouting the market before a later exhibiting decision. Roughly: entry ticket plus two mid-range nights near the venue and daily per-diem spend.
Best for
Buyers, importers, HORECA professionals and wine/food enthusiasts who want to taste, compare and build supplier contacts without committing to a stand.
Min. budget
$530.00
Timeline
2–6 weeks — book flights and an airport-belt or Grand-Saconnex hotel early; check whether you need a Schengen visa (apply 4–6 weeks ahead).
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.
Hotel rates near Palexpo rise during show dates and Geneva's November conference season; late booking can double the room rate.
The busiest Friday/Sunday public sessions reduce the time stand staff can give to serious conversations — plan a mid-week day.
exhibit
You have a defined Swiss/French-speaking target list, the budget for a stand plus travel, and can resource the full show run (not just one day).
Best for
Producers, importers and service providers who need stand presence, volume of tasting contacts and direct access to Swiss and cross-border buyers.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
4–6 months — space application and contract, stand design/build or shell scheme, logistics, ATA carnet, insurance and staff travel.
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.
Swiss space and services are quoted in CHF and typically come with mandatory extras (electricity, cleaning, badges, waste handling) that sit outside the headline stand price.
Customs/ATA carnet paperwork, sampling-stock rules and stand insurance must be arranged before shipping.
Understaffed or non-French-speaking stands convert poorly with a Suisse romande and French cross-border audience.
skip
Your audience is served better by a focused trade fair (ProWein, Vinitaly, Wine Paris) or by direct distributor relationships, or when travel budget and calendar cannot cover a Swiss trip this year.
Best for
Anyone whose target buyers are not present at a Geneva consumer/speciality fair, or who cannot justify Swiss travel and cost against expected pipeline.
Timeline
None — monitor the organiser's post-show reports and exhibitor lists instead.
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
