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Christmas in Switzerland

Christmas is a special time in Switzerland, with lots of festive events, delicious food and time honored traditions. Here are all of our articles related to Christmas in Switzerland.

Christmas in Zürich – Calendar of Events (2025)

Calendar of fun Christmas activities and events in Zurich, including Santa experiences for kids.

Switzerland
Zürich Region

Christmas Markets

Switzerland, like most of Europe, has Christmas markets in all major cities and many villages during late November and December.

Some markets are open during the entire Advent season. Others are only open for a couple weeks or even just one weekend.

12 Best Places to Buy Christmas Ornaments in Zürich

Where in Zürich to shop for Christmas ornaments and decorations, including Christmas markets, small boutiques and department stores.

Eastern Switzerland
Zürich City

12 Zürich Christmas Markets – with map!

The best places to enjoy the Christmas spirit in Zürich city, including Christmas markets, festive winter gardens and holiday activities.

Zurich Region
Zürich City

10 Best Switzerland Christmas Markets 2026 (with map!)

The best Christmas markets to visit in Switzerland with lots of market stands, tasty food, musical performances, activities for children and festive atmospheres.

Visiting Santa

In Switzerland, Santa goes by different names and visits on different days depending on which region you live in.

In German speaking Switzerland, he’s generally called Samichlaus and visits children on 6 Dec, leaving a bag of goodies. But you can also visit Samichlaus in many special places, like forest huts, city trams and even on the top of a mountain.

Zürich Christmas Samichlaus Parade

Tips for watching the traditional Samichlaus parade for children in Zürich, including a map.

Zürich City

How to visit Swiss Santa in Zurich Forest (aka Samichlaus)

At the beginning of December, children can visit Samichlaus in the Zurich woods for a friendly lecture, poem reciting, and treats. Here’s where to go.

Zurich Region
Zürich City

Zürich “Märlitram” ride with Samichlaus

Tips on how to best enjoy this delightful Christmas tradition, where children ride a tram around Zurich with Samichlaus and listen to holiday stories.

Zürich Region

Swiss Christmas Traditions

Here are a few Swiss Christmas traditions that you might want to adopt into your family.

Where to buy Christmas trees in Zurich

Fun places to get your Christmas tree in the Zurich area, including Zurich forests, local farms where you can chop down your own tree and places that will rent a live tree that will be replanted after Christmas.

Switzerland
Zürich Region

How to make a Grittibänz – Swiss Christmas bread man

One of the traditional Christmas treats in Switzerland is the Grittibänz, or sweetened bread man. Every bakery and grocery has them, but here’s a super easy recipe if you want to make your own.

Candle Dipping in Zurich

Where to make hand-dipped candles in Zürich during Christmas time and tips for success.

Zürich City, Zürich Region

Swiss Christmas Food

Where and what to eat during the Christmas season.

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6 Easy recipes for Swiss Christmas Cookies

Recipes for six popular Swiss Christmas cookies, including Zimtstern and Mailänderli, and tips for success.

15 Best Fancy Hot Chocolate in Zürich

The best places to drink hot chocolate in Zürich, from traditional old school cafes to specialty chocolate shops.

Switzerland
Zürich City

15 Best Cheese Fondue in Zürich

Where to eat fondue in Zürich during winter including Christmas markets, fondue chalets, and fondue rides on trams, trains and tuk-tuks.

Eastern Switzerland
Zürich City

Events & Festivals

Besides Christmas markets, many cities and villages host other events like light shows, harvest festivals, and lantern paths during the Advent season. Here are some we recommend.

Zauberwald Lenzerheide • Light Festival in the Magic Forest

Wander a snowy forest filled with artistic light installations, a special event for the holidays.

Graubünden
Arosa Lenzerheide

Illuminarium • Christmas Light Festival in Zürich

Zürich light festival during Christmas season with an extravagantly lit courtyard filled with food stands and optional light and music show.

Eastern Switzerland
Zürich City

12 Magical Light Festivals in Switzerland

Light festivals around Switzerland to visit during the dark nights of winter months from October to February.

Switzerland

Silvesterlauf – Winter Fun Run in Zürich

A fun run for all ages through the festive Zürich old town in December while wearing holiday themed costumes. Also fun for spectactors.

Zurich Region
Zürich City

16 Winter Lantern Paths near Zürich

Easy evening winter walks illuminated by candle lit lanterns and fairy lights near Zurich.

Switzerland

Küssnacht Klausjagen: Swiss Christmas Parade

Traditional Swiss parade for St Nicholas Day with illuminated bishop-shaped headpieces, whip cracking, and cow bell procession.

Lake Lucerne Region
Lucerne Region

Gift Guides

How to send gifts to family and friends in Switzerland

A guide to sending gifts to family and friends living in Switzerland, including suggested online shops and how minimize shipping and customs fees.

Swiss Gift Guides

Our suggestions for gifts related to Switzerland, nature and hiking for both adults and children.

10 Cookbooks for Classic Swiss Recipes

Make your favorite Swiss food at home using these cookbooks with classic Swiss recipes (in English) and learn about the history of Swiss cuisine and food culture.

After Christmas activities

Most Christmas markets and activities close on 23/24 December. And most shops and many museums and attractions are closed on 25/26 December.

Ski resorts will be open, but if you don’t do winter sports, you have plan a bit carefully.

Here are some fun things to do if you are visiting after Christmas.

25 Fun Things to Do for Christmas Break near Zürich (2025)

What to do near Zürich during the Christmas school holidays, including Christmas markets still open, festive winter gardens, lantern walks, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Switzerland
Zürich Region

30 Things to Do in January in Switzerland (2025)

The best activities for January in Switzerland including New Year’s Eve celebrations, festivals, winter sports, discounts, and ideas for kids.

Switzerland

Outdoor Activities for Christmas Season

December is also a good time to start participating in winter sports, as more snow falls and mountains resorts open for winter season.

12 Best Ways for Non Skiers to Enjoy Winter in Switzerland

Winter activities for non skiers in Switzerland, including sledding, winter walks, thermal bath, or lounging in an alpine sun bed with a good book.

Switzerland

10 Best Places to Ski in Switzerland in December

Although Swiss ski season starts in December, many resorts don’t have enough snow until late January. So here are our suggestions for early winter skiing in Switzerland.

Switzerland

Where to ice skate in Zurich

A few of our favorite places to skate in Zurich, as well as general info about ice skating in Switzerland including rentals, facilities, and lessons.

Zurich Region
Zürich City

TAGS: December, Index, November, Winter Event

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