Swiss Christmas markets at a glance
The Christmas markets are a good reason to visit Switzerland in late November or December. Combine a city trip, one or more Christmas markets, and a visit to the snowy mountains for the ultimate Christmas feeling.
There are smaller and larger Christmas markets all over Switzerland. Nearly all major cities have one. Several smaller towns do too. And some markets are held at very special locations. There’s one on top of Mount Pilatus for example.
Opening dates and times
Swiss Christmas markets are mainly open between mid-November and 24 December. Dates vary for each market. Some are open for weeks, others just a day or two.
Average opening hours are late morning to early- or mid-evening. In late November and December, sunset starts at about 4:30 PM. Many markets and town centers are beautifully illuminated at night. So the late afternoon and early evening are a perfect time for a cozy visit.
2023 Christmas markets in Switzerland’s cities
Basel, Montreux, and Zurich offer Switzerland’s best Christmas markets. They also provide quick access to other towns with more Christmas fairs.
This is an overview of Switzerland’s main Christmas markets for the 2023 season:
- Basel. There are two markets in the old town center. One is at the Barfüsserplatz. The other is at the Münsterplatz near the famous Münster cathedral. Both are open from 23 November to 23 December: www.basel.com.
- Bern. One market is located at the Waisenhausplatz. This can be reached in a few minutes on foot from the railway station. It’s open from 1 to 24 December, and from 27 to 29 December. Another market location is at the Münsterplatz in the old town. This one’s accessible from 1 to 24 December. And then there’s the ‘Sternenmarkt’ along the Europapromenade close to Bern’s House of Parliament, with 80 wooden stalls. Opening dates are 23 November to 29 December: www.bern.ch.
- Geneva. Most interesting during the holiday season is the l’Escalade festival from 8 to 10 December, with folklore activities for locals and tourists: www.geneve.ch.
- Lausanne. There are several festivities and a market in the old town. Festivities are available from 17 November to 31 December: www.lausanne-tourisme.ch.
- Lucerne. There are various dates and places with markets, from early December to Christmas. The Christmas and Crafts market at the Weinmarkt is a traditional one: www.luzern.com.
- Lugano. The town center is beautifully illuminated and a market is open from 1 December 2023 until 7 January 2024: www.ticino.ch.
- Montreux. The “Montreux Noel” market is one of Switzerland’s most famous Christmas fairs. It’s located at the boulevard along Lake Geneva. There are lots of activities for kids too. The market is open from 23 November to 24 December: www.montreuxnoel.com.
- St. Gallen is called “City of Stars” in winter due to its wonderful illumination. You can visit a Christmas market from 30 November to 24 December: www.sternenstadt.ch.
- Zurich has no less than 3 Christmas markets. The one at the central railway station is open from 23 November to 24 December. Two other markets located in the old town can be visited from 23 November to 23 December: www.zuerich.com.
2023 Christmas markets in smaller Swiss towns
Many smaller Swiss villages have beautiful Christmas fairs too. Some examples are:
- Bellinzona: www.bellinzonaevalli.ch
- Einsiedeln: www.einsiedler-weihnacht.ch
- Gruyères: www.la-gruyere.ch
- Saanen near Gstaad: www.gstaad.ch
- Stein am Rhein: www.maerlistadt.ch
- Yverdon-les-Bains: www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch
How to combine Christmas fairs with other activities
Our proposal for an ideal December visit to Switzerland: start with a few days in a city to experience the cozy December feeling and of course the Christmas markets.
Then travel to the mountains, preferably by scenic train. Explore the peaks of the Swiss Alps and enjoy other winter activities, before returning home to celebrate Christmas.
Note that this time is considered low season, so check the timetables and opening hours of places you’d like to visit. Some cableways and mountain trains may not be operational.
Itinerary suggestion 1: Zürich and Wengen
First, spend a few days in Zurich. You can visit the Christmas markets in Basel, Bern, Lucerne, and Zurich from here if you wish.
Then spend a day on scenic railroads: take the train to Chur, then the Glacier Express route to Brig, and finally travel to Wengen to enjoy the mountains.
A shorter route is Zurich – Lucerne – Interlaken – Wengen via the GoldenPass line.
Itinerary suggestion 2: a week in Lucerne
The city of Lucerne offers many options, including a Christmas market. You can also make day trips to the Christmas markets in Basel, Bern, and Zurich from here.
Apart from that, mountains like Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis are nearby and make for an easy day trip.