Basel Christmas market
The Christmas Market in Basel © Switzerland Tourism/ André Meier
It’s official, Basel is not only the best Christmas market in Switzerland, it’s also been selected as the Best Christmas market in Europe for 2021 and you can admire it too between 24 November and 23 December. Nestled in the beautiful old town, this picturesque Christmas market extends from Barfüsserplatz up to the historic cathedral on Münsterplatz and offers everything your heart desires. Special surprises for kids: Wiehnachts-Drämmli (the Christmas Tram), Wiehnachtsfähri (the Christmas ferry) and the Palazzo Colombino with a special show put on by Cirque Noel de Bâle.
Our tips:
This Christmas Special offer will help you make the most of Christmas in Basel: for every overnight stay in Basel, you get one BaselCard per person and a gift voucher (worth CHF 50.00 per room) which can be redeemed in around 425 shops, restaurants and cultural institutions in the Basel city centre.
This Christmas Magic Tour to learn all about old and new Advent customs. Tours in English are available on 27 November.
Show me Basel on ChristmasLausanne Bô Noël
Lausanne Lumières- the Lausanne Light Festival, is impressive © Lausanne Tourism/ Vandy studio
Starting with 17 November and all through 31 December, you can get in the Christmas spirit thanks to Lausanne Bô Noël, the locals’ top meeting point at Christmas time. There are awesome events happening during Bô Noël, which is so much more than a Christmas market: don't miss the Lausanne Light Festival (1-24 December) or the night-time Christmas run on Saturday, 18 December.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city and either choose the Apéro or Fondue mode, dance your heart out at the New Year's Silent Disco, look for unique handmade gifts at Marché des créateurs – Pépinet or check out the Vaud igloo at Marché du terroir de l’Europe. For kids there’s plenty of fun things to do: enjoy the Ferris Wheel in Place Centrale and the animal farm, storytelling yurt and pony rides around the Cathedral – all in the Cité Children’s Village.
Discover Bô NoëlZürich Christkindlimarkt
Starting with the end of November through to 24 December, the main station in Zürich lights up to welcome the largest indoors Christmas market in Europe. Among the various Christmas markets in Zürich, this is the most central. The scent of mulled wine and cinnamon make people skip their connecting trains to stroll around the stalls under the spectacular Christmas tree decorated with thousands of Swarovski crystals. It's a feast for the eyes.
Montreux Noël
Dozens of decorated and illuminated chalets on the quays of Lake Geneva make for one of the most beautiful and innovative Christmas markets in Switzerland, held between 18 November to 24 December. It's not just the regional culinary specialties, thousands of gift ideas and musical entertainment that make Montreux Noël special. A big Ferris wheel, children's workshops, the additional site in the town of Caux above Montreux and Santa's house atop the Rochers de Naye make it the perfect Christmas destination.
Find out more here and check the exact opening times.
Murten Christmas market
For three days in December, the lovely old town of Murten/ Morat in Fribourg fills with decorated chalets, twinkling lights and the scent of sweet chestnuts. Find Christmas gift inspiration from jewelry to clothes to delicacies. Or, just stroll along the alleys with a cup of mulled wine in your hands.
Find out moreBern Christmas markets
Sipping glühwein at the Christmas market in Kleine Schanze © Bern Tourism
In Bern, there are two great markets taking place between 24 November until 30 December: in Waisenhausplatz and in Minsterplatz. There's also a third, lovely market in Kleine Schanze, very close to the train station, the Berner Sternenmarkt. This market has quickly turned into a locals' favourite.
Find out all about the Christmas markets in Bern.
Rapperswil, St. Gallen Christkindlimärt
This large and lovely Christmas market is known countrywide. On the first days it takes place at the Fischmarktplatz, then in the old town and on the shore of Lake Zurich. It is then reduced to the lakeshore part but still offers a varied festive programme. You will find musical performances, candle dipping, cheese fondue and other seasonal delights. Let the old town illuminated by thousands of tiny lamps enchant you!
Find out the exact days here and plan your visit.
Stein am Rhein Fairy Tale Town
Would you like a one-month Christmas market that lasts beyond New Year's Eve? There you have it! It happens in Märlistadt Stein am Rhein Old Town (Schaffhausen) between 30 November and 1 January. Every December, this well-preserved medieval town turns into a magical place. A canopy of lights over the Rhine bridge, the illuminated castle and lovingly decorated shopwindows delight visitors of all ages. A carousel, Santa Claus with his ponies, storytellers and trips on a miniature steam railway wow the young.
Find out the exact opening times and plan your visit here.
Christmas market | Einsiedeln, Schwyz
Einsiedeln Monastery at Christmas time © Switzerland Tourism/ Christof Sonderegger
With the impressive Einsiedeln monastery in the backdrop, The Einsiedeln market has a special charm. The big Christmas tree, festive illumination and a cultural supporting programme create a Christmas-y atmosphere in the village. Besides, Einsiedeln also features the biggest Christmas crib/crèche in the world and a gingerbread museum.
Find out the exact schedule here and plan your visit.
Bremgarten, Aargau Christchindli market
With good reason, many international travel organizations offer bus trips to the Christchindli market. Along with over 320 stands, there are colorful events and a diverse cultural program. Big Christmas trees, culinary delights and romantic rides in a white horse-drawn carriage, as well as pony rides and a petting zoo are sure to make eyes gleam with plenty of joy.
This is one of the earlier Christmas markets, since it's being held early December, between 1 and 4 December. The schedule usually starts at 11 a.m., but we recommend you also check the official updates here.
Christmas markets | Geneva
The Carouge market in Geneva is utterly charming, with carrousels, enchanting lights, gospel choirs, carriage rides and plenty of stuff for kids to do.
Geneva boasts several Christmas markets: in addition to the Carouge Christmas market, you have the ‘official‘ market on Quai du Général Guisan, the artisans' markets on Rue de Mont Blanc and Place de la Fusterie and the ‘family markets' in the town of Chene Bourg.
Kambly Christmas market
The iconic biscuit factory in Emmental holds a lovely Christmas market with plenty of goodies and exquisite handmade crafts between. Don’t miss the charming Lantern Trail along the river.
Find out more here and plan your visit.
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