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!
Zurich Christmas Markets
The Zurich Christmas markets occur between late November until December 24th in numerous 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 Swarovski 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 dates:
- Sternenmarkt Nov 19 – Dec 27
- Waisenhausplatz Nov 27 – Dec 24
- Münsterplatz Nov 28 – Dec 24
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 about 50 wooden stalls selling everything from souvenirs to local staples while admiring 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 Christmas gift ideas, the Bern Minster Christmas market is the best place to go for inspiration!
Lucerne Christmas Markets
Lucerne Christmas Market dates:
- Rudolfs: Nov 20 – Dec 23
- Franziskanerplatz: Dec 3 – Dec 21
- Craft market: Dec 5, 8, 12, 13, 19 & 20
The city’s main Christmas market is at the Vögeligärtli Park. A fondue chalet and a winter bar are just a few highlights of this Lucerne Christmas market, the perfect destination for foodies. I sample about 5-10 different things there each year, and food is one of the main reasons to go.
The Christmas market at Franziskanerplatz Lucerne runs from December 3rd to December 21st, and it’s the city’s second-longest market. Several Christmas markets 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 takes place on weekends at Weinmarkt, and it’s the best place in the city to shop for local handicrafts.
Chur Christmas Markets
Chur Christmas Market Dates:
- Big Christmas Market: Nov 27–28;
- Christkindlimarkt: Nov 27 – Dec 23
One of Switzerland’s best 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 as grand as the Christmas markets of Bern, Basel, and Zurich, but it’s still impressive and beautiful.
The Chur Christmas market is known for delicious local food, warm winter drinks, and excellent souvenir shopping. Whether you want to walk around and admire the decorations while sipping mulled wine or buy the best Switzerland-themed souvenirs as presents, you won’t be disappointed by 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 26th to December 23rd. The main locations of this amazing Swiss Christmas market are Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, in the heart of Basel Old Town.
Here, you will find 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 various locations throughout the city. The Basel Theater presents a new stage presentation every day of Advent, the city’s most popular museums switch to seasonal exhibitions, and Palazzo Colombino puts on a Christmas-themed show at Rosentalanlage.
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 has one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Switzerland, and it’s no surprise it attracts almost a million visitors each year.
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 begins on November 19th and runs until December 24th.
The event is named Noël au Quai, and it takes place at Quai du Mont-Blanc. 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.
Lugano Christmas Markets
Lugano is an excellent destination in southern Switzerland year-round, but visiting the charming town in winter is an exceptional experience. The Christmas market in Lugano is open from November 26th 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 include two central public squares and the town’s 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 warm inside or a pair of fuzzy mittens to fend off the cold, 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 runs from November 20th to December 31st, and it’s part of the city’s larger Christmas program, Bô Noël. It’s a Christmas festival with wooden stalls selling 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 no shortage of traditional Christmas market elements in Lausanne; they just feel 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 Christmas market location offers something unique for 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 26th November and stay open until 24th December. This is one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Switzerland, thanks to the 700 stars set up to sparkle above the stalls. St. Gallen is also 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. Here, you will find wooden stalls that traditionally sell delicious food, 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 start on 20th November and last until 24th December.
The lakefront is adorned with around 150 wooden stalls, traditionally selling 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 at the numerous lakefront stalls, the Logger’s Cabin is an excellent 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, an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
