In Zurich, Christmas activities in mid November and continue through Christmas Eve. Some require advanced booking, so it’s helpful to review the whole calendar early so you don’t miss anything.
Here’s a calendar of all the Christmas events in Zurich, particularly those for kids.
Zurich Christmas Dates 2025
More below about each item in the list.
| Dates | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6 Nov to 30 Dec 2025 | Illuminarium food court & light show |
| 15 Nov to 21 Dec 2025 | Candle dipping |
| 20 Nov 2025 at 18:00 | Lucy Lights turn on in downtown Zurich |
| 20 Nov to 24 Dec 2025 | Zurich Christmas Markets |
| 20 Nov to 23 Dec 2025 | Singing Christmas tree |
| 19 Nov to 7 Dec 2025 | Zauberpark Zürich |
| 21 Nov to 24 Dec 2025 | Märlitram – tram ride with Santa |
| 30 Nov 2025 at 17:00 | Samichlaus Parade on Zürich Bahnhofstrasse |
| 6 & 7 Dec 2025 | Photos with Santa at American Women’s Club Zürich |
| 3-7 Dec 2025 | Visit Samichlaus in the forest |
| 6 Dec 2025 | Samichlaus visit at home |
| 6 Dec 2025 | Train ride with Samichlaus |
| 6 Dec 2025 to 6 Jan 2026 | Zugerberg Lantern Path |
| 5 Dec 2025 | Ice Disco: Samiclaus Edition at Dolder Ice Rink |
| 7 Dec 2025 | Christmas Sing-along with Zurich Orchestra |
| 14 Dec 2025 | Silvesterlauf – festive run through Zurich old town |
| 20 & 21 Dec 2025 | Cutting down your own tree in Zurich forest |
| 18 Dec 2025 at 18:00 | Lichterschwimmen (floating candles) |
Zurich Christmas Markets
Zurich Christmas markets open Thursday before the 1st Advent Sunday and continue to 23 December. A couple stay open for a half-day on Christmas Eve, including the one at the main train station.
Zurich’s main markets are the Wienachtdorf near the Opera house and the Polarzauber at the Zurich main station. There are also market stands in the Niederdorf old town.
➡️See a map of all Zürich Christmas Markets
Dates: 20 Nov to 24 Dec 2025
See more favorite Christmas markets near Zürich.
Zürich Christmas Lights
“Lucy” Lights in Downtown Zurich
Every year, Zurich officially turns on the downtown Christmas lights at precisely 18:00 on the Thursday before the 1st Advent.
This is a great time to take the kids for a stroll down the Bahnhofstrasse to get into the Christmas spirit. Also that night over 300 downtown shops are typically open late until 22:00 for shopping.
- Date: Thurs 20 Nov 2025 at 18:00
- Location: Bahnhofstrasse Zurich
- Website: www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch
Illuminarium food court & light show
For six weeks, the Swiss National Museum is transformed into a light festival, with thousands of lights covering the courtyard walls and filled with yummy food stands.
The food court is free to visit, but they have been limiting the number of people inside so there is often a line at the entrance as you wait for people to leave.
For a fee, you can attend Illuminarium, which is a light and music show projected on the outdoor walls of the museum.
- Dates: 7 Nov to 30 Dec 2025 (excluding 24 & 25 Dec)
- Location: Swiss National Museum courtyard
- Website: illuminarium.ch
Zauberpark Zürich
This nightly event includes lots of artistic light installations, story telling for kids, musical concerts, food and other festive elements. We went to this same event in Lenzerheide and really enjoyed it!
You can buy a ticket for just the light installations before or after the concerts. The “Early Slot” is 18:00-20:00 and the “Late Slot” is for 21:00-22:30.
Or you can buy a ticket that also includes a musical concerts. Check the program to see which musical artist is playing that night as that might influence your date selection.
- Dates: 19 Nov to 7 Dec 2025
- Location: The Circle at Zürich airport
- Website: zauberpark.ch
Lichterschwimmen (floating candles)
This event usually happens in the third week of December. Primary school children float hundreds of little candles down the Limmat river, starting near the Ratbrücke. More info at www.zuerich.com
- Date: 18 Dec 2025 at 18:00
- Location: Limmat river in Zürich
- Website: www.zuerich.com
Santa Claus in Zürich (aka Samichlaus)
Jemoli Märlitram – Samichlaus story tram
In December, the Märlitram drives kids around town while Santa and his angel helpers tell stories to children. My children went every year with friends, a real special part of our Zürich Christmas experience.
Children from 4 to 9 years old may go, not accompanied by parents. The ride starts near the Zürich Bellevue tram stop and lasts about 20 mins. You must buy tickets in advance.
➡️ See my full article on the Märlitram
Tickets go on sale 13 Nov 2025! Buy tickets here.
- Dates: 21 Nov to 24 Dec 2025
- Location: Zürich Bellevue
- Website: www.coop-city.ch/maerlitram
Samichlaus Parade on Bahnhofstrasse
On the first Advent at 17:00, Zürich usually has a big Christmas parade down the Zürich Bahnhofstrasse, with lots of Santas and other Christmas characters waving from floats and passing out treats.
The parade starts near the Singing Christmas Tree at Werdmühleplatz and goes to Bürkliplatz near the candle dipping tent.
➡️ See the parade route and get more tips for your visit
- Date: Sun 30 Nov 2025 at 17:00
- Location: Bahnhofstrasse Zürich
- Website: https://samichlaus-zuerich.ch/samichlausumzug/
Photos with Santa at American Women’s Club Zürich
The American Women’s Club of Zurich is hosting photos with Santa at their clubhouse in Zürich Seefeld.
Cost for AWCZ club members: CHF 30/for 1 child, CHF 35 for 2 or more children. Cost for non-members: CHF 55 for 1 child, CHF 60 for 2 or more children.
Price includes photo and goodie bag. You can reserve a time on their website.
Date: Sat 6 Dec and Sun 7 Dec 2025
Location: Höschgasse 38, 8008 Zürich
Website: awczurich.org
Visit Samichlaus in the woods
Samichlaus is the German Swiss version of Santa Claus that visits children on 6. Dec. Many families celebrate this tradition by visiting Samichlaus at a forest hut, where Samichlaus doles out stories and advice and children recite Christmas poems they learned at school.
In Zurich, you can visit Samichlaus for free without an appointment at the Käferberg forest hut.
➡️ See my full article about Samichlaus in woods.
- Dates: Wed 3 Dec to Sun 7 Dec 2025 • 10:00 to 16:00
- Location: Käferberg forest, 20 min walk from Bucheneggplatz tram stop
- Website: samichlaus-zuerich.ch
St. Nicholas day – Samichlaus visit at home
In Switzerland, Samichlaus visits children on Dec 6, not on Christmas Eve (the Christ Child brings presents on Christmas). So you need to get your story straight if you child will be seeing other kids around the neighborhood that day and they ask what Samichlaus brought them.
Search for a local Samichlaus to visit you on www.chlaus.ch
Different families have different traditions. A lot of Swiss families hire Samichlaus to visit them at home and bring the gifts in person. Some families visit Samichaus in the woods and he doesn’t drop anything at the house later. Some families have their children leave their shoes outside their door on the on the night of Dec 5. The morning of Dec 6, they’ll find a canvas bag with peanuts, oranges, little cookies, Lebkuchen with Santa decal, and a Grittibänz (bread man, see below).
Every bakery sells Grittibänz, some very elaborate. Migros and other shops sell the bags, both empty and filled with treats, making it really easy for St. Nicholas to do his job.
In my combo-culture family, I’m always unprepared and confused what to do. My kids don’t leave out their shoes but they do wake up to a Grittibänz, a small bag of chocolate and oranges, and a pair of Christmas PJs. I also told my kids that I wrote regular Santa and told him he should still come on Dec 24 and bring his real presents then.
If you want to bake your own, see my Grittibänz – Bread Man post for a recipe and design instructions.
- More about St. Nicholas in Switzerland (German only).
- More about St. Nicholas around the world and Switzerland (in English) and ideas about how to celebrate.
Ride with Samichlaus on a steam train or boat
This event is hosted by Radio Zürisee, which offers two Samichlaus experiences. Children can ride a vintage steam train from Zürich to the Sihlwald forest, where they meet Samichlaus and have a little celebration.
Or children can ride a boat from Zürich to Halbinsel Au, where they meet Samichlaus and have a similar celebration. You return the way you came. Parents accompany the children and need their own ticket.
There are two times for the train and one for the boat. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Children receive a goodie bag at the event. Parents must accompany young children and have their own ticket.
- Dates: 6 Dec 2025
- Location: Sihlwald south of Zurich
- Website: www.radiozuerisee.ch
Music & Theater
Singing Christmas tree
Starting at the end of November, the Singing Christmas Tree shows up on Werdmühleplatz in Zürich, off the Bahnhofstrasse opposite of Globus. It is a set of risers decorated to look like a big Christmas tree, so the performers can stand in the tree.
There is a musical program almost every evening at 17:30 and 18:30, often from local school or singing groups (not particularly professional).
It’s free to attend. There are food booths near Singing Christmas Tree, selling wurst, glühwein, raclette, etc.
- Dates: 20 Nov to 23 Dec 2025
- Location: Werdmühleplatz Zürich
- Website: www.singingchristmastree.ch
Christmas Sing-along (German) with Zurich Orchestra
The Tonhalle Orchester Zürich hosts a Christmas choral program where you can sing along. This event is primarily designed for children.
This event is happening on Sun 7 Dec 2025 at 11:15 and 14:15. Tickets go fast, usually sold out by mid November.
Nutcracker
Here are the Nutcracker performances in Zürich. These same ballet companies are also visiting other major Swiss cities.
- 22 Nov 2025 – at Zürich Kongresshaus. Buy tickets here.
- 5 Dec 2025 – at Zurich Volkshaus. Buy tickets here.
Christmas Activities
Candle dipping
The arrival of the candle-dipping tents is the first hint that Christmas is on the horizon.
Most Christmas markets and many community centers host a candle-making tent during November and December, usually with beeswax and sometimes a variety of paraffin colors.
In 2025, the popular Bürkliplatz tent has temporarily been moved to Hechtplatz because of construction. This candle dipping tent has only beeswax, not multi-color. Learn more.
- Dates: Sat 15 Nov to Sun 21 Dec 2025
- Location: Hechtplatz (temporary relocation due to construction at Bürkliplatz)
- Website: www.zuercherkerzenziehen.ch
➡️ See Candle Dipping 101 for more locations and tips.
Zugerberg “Lichterweg” – Lantern Path
Zugerberg is hosting an evening walk on a candle lit path leading to a nativity scene in the woods. The candles are lit around 16:30 each evening.
It’s free to visit, you just need a ticket to ride the Zugerberg funicular to reach the trail.
- Date: 6 Dec 2025 to 6 Jan 2026
- Location: Zugerberg funicular train
- Website: www.zbb.ch
Silvesterlauf
This festive race runs around Zurich old town every year in mid-December. They have a variety of course categories and lengths, including short fun runs for children and families.
The family races start around 11:00, children at 12:00 and fun run at 18:20 so you can run with the Christmas lights all lit up. People dress in costume for the fun run, you should too!
You can register online up until one hour before your race.
See also my Silvesterlauf article.
- Date: 14 Dec 2025
- Location: Zürich old town
- Website: www.silvesterlauf.ch
Ice skating
The permanent ice rinks in Zurich are generally open from beginning of October to the beginning of March. See our list of fun places to ice skate in Zurich.
During Christmas season, there are usually a few temporary festive ice rinks where you can enjoy Christmas lights and cheer. The Dolder ice rink puts up its Christmas tree on 30 Nov 2025 and hosts a few Christmas events including:
- 15 Nov 2025 – Ice Disco: Winter Slide
- 6 Dec 2025 – Ice Disco: Samichlaus on Ice
- 13 Dec 2025 – Ice Disco: Christmas Edition with music, a mulled wine bar, and fondue at the restaurant (reservation required).
- 24 Dec 2025 – Christmas Eve skating from 9:00 – 14:00
- 27 Dec 2025 – Ice Disco New Year’s Eve Pre-Party
Website: www.doldersports.com
Cutting down your own tree
You can get Christmas trees in lots of places through December. See my post for some tips: Finding Christmas Trees in Zurich.
If you can wait until late December to get your tree, then we highly recommend going into a city forest and cut down your own tree. There are only two dates to cut down your own tree so it can be busy.
Saws are provided and staff will wrap your tree in a net so you can easily carry it home on the tram as shown below. If there’s snow, bring a sled to drag your tree on.
There’s often a grill with sausages for sale as well as glühwein and hot drinks. My friend does this every year and says it is by far one of their favorite things to do as a family.
- Sun 20 Dec 2025 – Hönggerberg from 9:00 to 16:00 (Kappenbühlstrasse 149, 8049 Zürich)
- Sat 21 Dec 2025 – Albisgütli forest from 11:00 to 16:00 (Uetlibergstrasse 355, 8045 Zürich)
You can also get trees that have been already cut down from these place on any day.
More info about where and when to cut down your own tree on stadt-zuerich.ch.
15 responses
We are a family with teens in Zurich Dec. 26-29. What will be open then? Are restaurants all open? Do we need reservations?
Hi. Dec 25 and 26 are public holidays and most stores and some restaurants are closed on these days. I would definitely make reservations on these days. I cannot say which restaurants are open, you’ll need to look at the relevant websites to see. In terms of activities, you may find this post helpful (I’m still updating the dates of some events). https://swissfamilyfun.com/christmas-break-zurich/
Staying in Zurich over Christmas for 4 ppl.
Is there any day trip tours on Christmas day which included skiing? Skis/ pole/ lift hire required. Return to Zurich also required.
Hi Racheal, all Swiss ski resorts are open on Christmas day. So you could do a day trip from Zurich to any ski resort that appeals to you. As far as renting ski gear for one day, that’s probably best done at the ski resort since sports shops in Zurich will be closed on Christmas Eve and Dec 25-26. I would recommend reserving your ski gear at the ski resort sports shop as they can book out. I would also arrive early so you don’t waste a lot of time getting the ski gear organized before you get on the slopes.
If you are looking for an all-in-one package that includes transport to the ski resort, ski rental, and lift pass – I’m not aware of any packages like that. However, you could look at the Snow-n-Rail packages that give a discount on the train travel and ski pass and sometimes ski rental. Check the conditions of the the deals, some are not valid on weekends or holidays. https://freizeit.sbb.ch/en/stories/snownrail
I will be in Zurich Dec 26 and 27 then traveling onto Zermatt. Are there things open those days and if so what do you suggest. Will be myself and 18 year old daughter
Thank you in advance!
It will be pretty quiet on those days. you could go to the zoo, ice skate, uetliberg. I’m working on a post about what to do during Christmas break. So check back soon for that.
Also, there is a Samichlaus Bus . One can go with children into the woods to see Samichlaus. Booked in October , only on Nov 27 , there were a couple of places left.
https://samichlaus-bus.ch/
Thanks for the helpful tip. I’ll add it to the list.
Although it may be late for this year, Lindt Chocolate Factory do Christmas workshops, which not surprisingly book fast!
We are an Australian family of 6 adults and will be in Zurich for 1 night only on 19th December and was wondering if you could recommend a place to get a family photo with Samichlaus (Santa). Also if you have any recommendations on what we should arrange to do on that night. I would appreciate any advice.
Sorry for the delay. The easiest would be to book Märlitram tickets for that evening. Kids aged 4-10 can ride with Samichlaus on the tram (20 min) around Zürich. See this post https://swissfamilyfun.com/marlitram/ If you don’t get tickets, you might be able to grab Santa for a pic. But it gets really busy getting the kids on and off the tram, so not sure how that would work.
Hi Tanya,
Thanks a lot for consolidated list of all activities for Christmas in Zurich.
Though late for this year, you can add Samiclaus schiff activity in zurichsee. We did it this year, and was fun.
Regards
Shweta
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Cary & Jules. It's always nice to hear positive feedback. Welcome to Zurich!
We have been here 5 weeks and so far every weekend have pretty much used your blog to do something – all trips have been successful. We loved the parade last night and the singing Christmas tree brought tears to my eyes! More importantly our children have loved all our excursions too. A huge thank you for the blog.
Jules