Swiss people mark the arrival of winter with the start of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. During Advent, Switzerland transforms into its most romantic state of the year. Christmas markets spring up in city squares. The scent of mulled wine, known as Glühwein, infused with spices fills the alleyways, and twinkling lights fill the towns. The Christmas season in Switzerland is romance personified. Here, we introduce the famously beautiful Christmas markets in Switzerland.
Zurich
You can explore various Christmas markets in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city.
The Christmas Village at Bellevue is renowned for its delicious food.
You can encounter a hall decorated like a festival at the train station.
At the Niederdorf Old Town Christmas market, carol performances take place.
Christmas season in Zurich / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
① Zurich Main Station
November 23, 2023 – December 24, 2023
From the end of November, the entire Zurich Main Station transforms into a Christmas market for about a month. A Christmas tree decorated with over 7000 Swarovski crystals stands tall at 49 feet. More than 140 Christmas stores surround this impressive tree.
② Illuminarium
November 9, 2023 – December 30, 2023
The Swiss National Museum, located behind Zurich Main Station, is a hidden Christmas spot. The museum courtyard transforms into a winter kingdom filled with light, music, and food. You can also enjoy a light show that lasts about 30 minutes and taste delicious food and drinks.
③ Niederdorf
November 23, 2023 – December 23, 2023
Zurich’s oldest old town, Niederdorf, continues from Central behind the main station. Various shops line the narrow, romantic alleyways that extend to hidden spaces like Hirschenplatz and Rosenhof. You can enjoy looking at unique Christmas gifts and taste winter specialties like freshly baked cookies, roasted chestnuts, and almonds.
④ Münsterhof
November 23, 2023 – December 23, 2023
The illuminated buildings of guild houses and hotels along the Limmat River represent Zurich’s winter night view, including the pointed spire of Fraumünster. Across the Limmat River from Fraumünster, a Christmas market also takes place. It’s called the ‘Münsterhof Christmas Market’ because it is held in the Münsterhof square next to Fraumünster. As a market that opens under the motto ‘Zurich products for Zurich people,’ you can see high-quality local products from nearby shops and boutiques.
You can find various gifts at the market, from St. Jakob Bakery and Zurich Tirggel cookies to Zurich sauce and DillySocks, as well as traditional writing tools from Landolt-Arbenz. Concerts, readings, and various workshops are also held. There is also a guided history tour that explains in detail about Münsterhof.
Christmas season in Zurich / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
⑤ Werdmühleplatz
November 23, 2023 – December 23, 2023
At Werdmühleplatz, you can find a singing giant Christmas tree and a market. Also, concerts take place here every day. Various local choirs perform Christmas carols and music.
⑥ Bahnhofstrasse
November 23, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Bahnhofstrasse, a street lined with luxury stores, hosts a special lighting project every winter. This year, the Bahnhofstrasse lighting ceremony will occur at 6 pm on November 23. The lights are turned on every night until January 1, so it’s great to visit anytime. The view from the tram, a Zurich specialty, is also fantastic. Following the tram line of Bahnhofstrasse, 11,550 LED bulbs illuminate the night sky. You can also enjoy Christmas lights at Rennweg, Neumarkt, Löwenplatz, Paradeplatz, and Bahnhofstrasse.
⑦ Operahaus
November 23, 2023 – December 23, 2023
A large market takes place at Sechseläutenplatz in front of the Opera House, and a ‘Wienachtsdorf’ or ‘Christmas Village’ opens on the banks of Lake Zurich. In this way, a total of 100 shops are densely packed around the Opera House. It is particularly popular with locals due to the variety of food. It’s perfect for enjoying romance late into the night while tasting traditional Swiss food at the Fondue Chalet.
Christmas season in Zurich / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
Luzern
To celebrate the Christmas season, the Franziskanerbrunnen fountain in the old town of Luzern transforms into the most enormous Christmas wreath in Switzerland.
The fountain is beautifully decorated with a 3.3-foot tall candle, twinkling lights, and branches.
At St. Maria Church, concerts are held, and a life-size model of the birth of Jesus is installed.
Lucerne Christmas Market / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
① Christmas Tree Market
December 16-23, 2023
Across from Lucerne train station is a sight that can only be seen during the Christmas season: a Christmas tree market. Westerners decorate their Christmas trees with real trees; the Swiss are no exception. Families buy trees for decoration. During the season, trees of various sizes are displayed and sold here. The market rotates through Schweizerhofquai, Nationalquai, Helvetiaplatz, and Bellerive-Höhe.
Winter season Christmas market at the 5-star Schweizerhof Hotel / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
② Schweizerhof
November 26, December 3, December 10, 2023
A Christmas market is also held at the 5-star Schweizerhof Hotel, located on the shores of Lucerne. The Schweizerhof Christmas Market, which only opens three times from the last Sunday of November to the second Sunday of December, takes place throughout the hotel. You can buy handicrafts made using wood, fabric, and pottery.
③ Weinmarkt
December 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 2023
This is a market held in the Weinmarkt square in the old town. You can find crafts made by over 60 artisans from Lucerne. These include pottery, jewelry, toys, wood products, leather and fabric, candles, glass products, and food. This market is limited to certain Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, so checking the dates before visiting is best.
④ Franziskanerplatz
December 1-21, 2023
At the Franziskanerplatz Christmas market, various Christmas decorations, snacks, candies, and drinks, including warm Glühwein, are sold. There is also a Christmas parade, where you can enjoy a festive Christmas atmosphere.
⑤ Vögeligärtli
November 23-December 23, 2023
A little further from Franziskanerplatz is Lucerne’s new city ‘Neustadt.’ In Neustadt, there is a park, ‘Vögeligärtli,’ where you can find a unique Christmas market. The Vögeligärtli Christmas Market is themed around food and art/culture. The market is only opening for the first time this year and will run for four weeks. They offer traditional candle-making experiences, and there are also concerts on weekends and Wednesday afternoons.
Engel Christmas Market / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
⑥ Inseli
November 17-December 23, 2023
The Inseli Park Christmas Market is held under the ‘Rudolph’s Christmas theme.’ Splendid wooden chalets designed to celebrate Christmas are installed all over the park. Here, you can shop for various crafts and enjoy delicious snacks. The most popular is Fondue Chale. You can melt your body while tasting a flavorful cheese dish. A bar is set up in the middle of the park, where you can gather around a bonfire and enjoy the scenery of the old town and the lake in midwinter.
Pilatus Christmas Market / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
⑦ Pilatus
November 17-19, 2023
If you want a special Christmas experience, head to Pilatus. The highest Christmas market in Europe is held at the top of Pilatus. Christmas carols and special programs for children are also prepared. Enjoying the Christmas atmosphere at an altitude of 2132m (about 6995 feet) will be a special memory.
The scenery of Santa’s Day in Rigi Village / Photo=Swiss Tourism Board
⑧ Santa’s Day in Rigi Village
December 5, 2023
A special event is held annually in the lakeside village of Küssnacht am Rigi, which leads to Rigi. It is the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5. On this day, about 200 large, transparent bishop’s hats (miters) light up the village. The bishop’s hat decorations, made of thick paper, can light a candle inside. Adult men follow St. Nicholas, who marches across the village wearing a head decoration. The sound of heavy bells carried by strong men and horns fills the streets. A cruise ship operates on this day, allowing you to enjoy a round trip from Lucerne to Küssnacht am Rigi while enjoying unlimited fondue.
Basel
The Basel Christmas Market is one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets.
In 2021, the travel website ‘European Best Destinations’ ranked Basel as the ‘Best Christmas Market.’
In Basel, as many as 100 Christmas trees are adorned with splendid decorations,
and the lighting decorations stretch for kilometers.
You can also enjoy waffles, Glühwein, Basel’s traditional gingerbread cookies called Läckerli, delicious raclette, and grilled sausages.
① Münsterplatz
November 23-December 23, 2023
The square in front of the Basel Cathedral transforms into a more splendid sight during the Christmas season. One of the two towers of Basel Cathedral, St. Martin’s Tower, is also decorated with Christmas lights. During the Advent period, from Monday to Friday, from 4 pm to 6 pm, you can climb the stairs, enjoy the beautiful lights, and view the Christmas lights adorning the old city of Basel from the top of the tower.
② Christmas Ferry
In December, as the sun sets over Basel, the Rhine River that meanders through the city reflects the shimmering lights of the streets and the enchanting lights of the Klingental Ferry. This creates a captivating scene that becomes an unforgettable experience. Additionally, evening cruises are available for those who wish to enjoy the Rhine differently.
Information and Photos Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
By. Hong Ji Yeon
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