Planning a winter trip to Switzerland? The country’s many Christmas Markets are very popular in the winter and worth checking out in between skiing sessions!
We’ve covered all the best Christmas markets in Switzerland from Zurich to Geneva. Whether you want to explore them in between ski sessions or plan on Christmas market hopping from one city to another, these are Switzerland’s top Christmas markets!
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Zurich Christmas Markets
The Zurich Christmas markets take place between November 24th and December 24th in four locations throughout the city. The Swiss city hosts one of Europe’s largest indoor Christmas markets (and wider) inside Zurich Central Station’s main hall with some 160 stalls. The massive Christmas tree used to be decorated with some 10,000 Swarowski crystals, but is now sponsored by Lindt and covered in Lindor chocolates.
Zurich’s largest outdoor Christmas market is in front of the famous Opera House. The square is transformed into a lovely little Christmas village with countless stalls selling everything from delicious mulled wine to adorable Christmas-themed souvenirs.
The Old Town, Münsterhof, and Werdmühleplatz also get adorned with cute Christmas stalls. The market at Werdmühleplatz is special because it boasts a singing Christmas tree! This is the most unique of the Swiss Christmas markets, but certainly not the only location in Zurich worth checking out. They have rotating choirs from all around Switzerland and from overseas. They are usually extraordinarily top-notch and seeing them in the tree is something you have to see once, its quite a sight!
There is also a newer Christmas market along the Europa Allee (called Weihnachtsallee Zurich) which I find to be one of the best in town. The street is lined with local stalls and food stands and has some great places to just hang out and enjoy the festive cheer. I have been there twice already!
Bern Christmas Markets
The Bern Christmas market takes place between December 2nd and December 24th at several locations throughout the city. It’s worth noting that not all the Christmas markets in Bern open and close at the exact same time, but you’re guaranteed a Christmas market experience during the first three weeks of December.
For the past three decades, the Bern Christmas market at Weisenhausplatz has been widely considered the absolute best Christmas market in the Swiss city. Visitors can browse at some 50 wooden stalls that sell everything from souvenirs to local staples while admiring the countless Christmas decorations and twinkling lights.
The square in front of the iconic Bern Minster is also transformed into a winter wonderland in December. Countless artisans set up stalls here to sell their crafts, and the artisan market is held here during the first and third weekends of Advent. If you need gift ideas for Christmas, the Bern Minster Christmas market is the best place to go for inspiration!
Lucerne Christmas Markets
Lucerne is pretty big on Christmas markets and they usually take place in around 10 different locations throughout the city. However, some Christmas markets are open only on weekends or during specific events, so discovering all the best Christmas markets in Lucerne requires some planning in advance.
The main Switzerland Christmas markets in the city are Rudolf’s Christmas Spectacle at Inseli Park and Vögeligärtli Park market, from the 18th of November to the 23rd of December. A fondue chalet and a winter bar are just some of the highlights of this Lucerne Christmas market, which is the perfect destination in the city for all foodies.
The Christmas market at Franziskanerplatz Lucerne takes place between December 1st and December 21st, and it’s the second-longest market in the city. There are also several Christmas markets that take place only on Sundays or weekends, and these are usually where you will find the best souvenirs and gifts. The Lucerne Christmas and Crafts Market take place on weekends at Weinmarkt, and it’s the best place in the city for shopping for local handicrafts.
Chur Christmas Markets
One of the best Switzerland Christmas markets is in its oldest town, Chur. It takes place in several locations throughout the historic part of the city and boasts around 160 stalls in total. It’s nowhere near are grand as the Christmas markets of Bern, Basel, and Zurich, but it’s still impressive and beautiful.
Chur’s Christmas markets usually start happening on the first Thursday before Advent and last until December 23rd. This is true for most of the Christmas markets in the historic center, like the ones at Obere Bahnhofstrasse, Kornplatz, Alexanderplatz, and Poststrasse.
The Chur Christmas market is known for delicious local food, warm winter drinks, and excellent souvenir shopping. Whether you’re looking to walk around and admire the decorations while sipping on mulled wine or you want to buy the best Switzerland-themed souvenirs as presents, you won’t be disappointed with the wooden stalls in Chur. Just don’t expect too much – the city’s Christmas market is as big as just one location in Zurich, so expect less variety than in the bigger cities.
Basel Christmas Markets
The largest – and arguably the best – Switzerland Christmas market occurs in Basel from November 24th to December 23rd. The main locations of this amazing Swiss Christmas market are Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, in the heart of Basel Old Town.
This is where you will find all the wooden stalls and beautiful Christmas decorations that most Christmas markets are known for. Try the local delicacies, drink some lovely mulled wine, and shop for souvenirs – that’s what the Basel Christmas market in the old town is best for! But that’s certainly not all you can expect from Christmas in this fabulous Swiss city.
Several events take place during Advent at several locations throughout the city. There’s a new stage presentation every day of the Advent at the Basel Theater, the city’s most popular museums switch to seasonal exhibitions, and Palazzo Colombino puts on a Christmas-themed show at Rosentalanlage.
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Overall, if you’re very into Christmas and you want to have a great time, you will not be disappointed by the events in Basel. The city truly has one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Switzerland, and it’s not surprising that it attracts almost a million visitors yearly.
Geneva Christmas Markets
Christmas in Geneva is truly special and the city’s Christmas market is without a doubt one of the best in all of Switzerland. The festive season in the city begins on November 17th and lasts until December 23rd.
The event is named Noël au Jardin (Christmas it the Garden), and it takes place in Geneva’s famous Jardin Anglais. It is adorned with a myriad of sparkly decorations, and countless stalls are set up throughout the city’s famous garden.
It’s the go-to place for foodies in the winter because the street food stalls offer all the local staples and they’re delicious. If raclette and mulled wine sound like a delicious dinner, you’ll have a great time at the Geneva Christmas Market.
In addition to all the fantastic food, the market stalls are also a great place for souvenir shopping. A Christmas Pub is also set up at Jardin Anglais, and it’s a place where customers can enjoy drinks while listening to a DJ performing their set. There’s also a dedicated space for kids at the Geneva Christmas market so that the youngest visitors can have a great time even if they’re not old enough to sip on mulled wine.
Lugano Christmas Markets
Lugano is an excellent destination in southern Switzerland any time of the year, but visiting the charming town in the winter is an exceptional experience. The Christmas market in Lugano is open from December 1st to January 6th. The market stalls are usually open until December 24th, but most food stalls remain open the first week of January.
There are three main locations for the Christmas market stalls in Lugano – Piazza Della Riforma, Piazza Manzoni, and Via Nassa. These are the two central public squares in the town, as well as its most notable street in the heart of the old town.
The entire old town of Lugano is adorned with Christmas decorations and it’s truly a spectacular sight. Walk around the town to admire the pretty views, and don’t forget to stop and see what’s on offer at the wooden stalls.
Whether you want a cup of hot chocolate to keep you warm inside or a pair of fuzzy mittens to fend off the cold weather, the Christmas market stalls will have your back. They’re great for shopping for food, souvenirs, unique handmade items, and even just simple accessories!
Lausanne Christmas Markets
The Christmas market in Laussane usually takes place between November 17th and December 31st, and it’s part of the city’s larger Christmas program known as Bô Noël. It’s a Christmas festival, with markets with wooden stalls that sell everything from buckets of fondue to unique handicrafts.
The Christmas market vibe in Lausanne differs from that in most other Swiss cities, so it’s the top market to visit if you’ve already experienced Advent in other cities throughout Switzerland. It’s more of a contemporary event with modern decorations and unique light installations.
On the other hand, there’s absolutely no shortage of traditional Christmas market elements in Lausanne, they just appear to be a bit more modern. You’ll find a great Christmas market inside an igloo, another one underneath a colorful glass canopy, and a more traditional ice skating rink surrounded by mesmerizing light installations.
Each of the different Christmas market locations offers something unique to the visitors. For the best regional treats like jams and wine, head to the Place d’Europe Christmas Market, but visit the Place Pépinet Christmas Market to browse what the local designers offer in Lausanne.
St Gallen Christmas Markets
The Christmas markets in St. Gallen usually open on 24th November and stay open until 24th December. This is one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Switzerland, primarily because of the 700 stars set up to sparkle above the stalls. It also helps that St. Gallen is a stunning town with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the center of the winter festivities.
Every year, a giant Christmas tree is set up in front of the Abbey of Saint Gall, the impressive baroque cathedral with world heritage status. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – St. Gallen’s streets also get adorned with countless sparkly decorations and wooden stalls are set up throughout the city’s old town.
The main Christmas market locations in St. Gallen are Waaghaus, Bohl, and Marktgasse. They’re all in St. Gallen’s old town, just north of the impressive abbey. This is where you will find the wooden stalls that traditionally sell delicious foods, souvenirs, and local handicrafts. But don’t limit yourself to just these locations – the pretty decorations are throughout the entire old town and they’re worth checking out!
Montreux Christmas Markets
Situated on the eastern bank of Lake Geneva, Montreux is a lovely town with an even lovelier Christmas market. Locally known as Montreux Noël, the winter festivities in this Swiss town boast everything from the traditional wooden stalls to a flying Santa Claus sleigh. The Christmas market festivities in Montreux traditionally start on 24th November and last until 24th December.
The entire lakefront is adorned with around 150 wooden stalls, which traditionally sell mulled wine, food, souvenirs, gifts, handicrafts, and more. This is where the main festivities are, and you will also find several restaurants that get into the Christmas spirit and adjust their menu to reflect the best seasonal delicacies.
Don’t miss out on the Logger’s Cabin either – it’s the most popular meeting place during the Advent season, and it’s famous for the mulled wine and delicious pizzas. If you feel overwhelmed by the different dishes and drinks on offer at the numerous lakefront stalls, the Logger’s Cabin is an excellent and worthy alternative.
The Montreux Christmas market is the best one to visit if you are traveling with children, especially if you still haven’t told them the truth about Santa Claus. You can take them to meet the real Santa at his house atop Rochers-de-Naye mountain, which is bound to be an unforgettable experience for the entire family.
