Like the rest of Europe, all cities and many villages in Switzerland have Christmas markets, usually from late November through Christmas Eve. Our family tries to visit a different market each year, giving us an excuse to visit a new place and explore.
Below I’ve highlighted the best and biggest Swiss Christmas markets that are worth traveling for. Some markets run only one or two weekends. So check the dates carefully before making plans.
Note: I’m updating dates here for 2026 as they become available.
Swiss Christmas Market Dates 2026
Here are the dates for the best Swiss Christmas Markets that I describe below.
| Market Location | Open Dates |
|---|---|
| 1. Zürich | 19 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 |
| 2. Basel Weihnachtsmarkt | 26 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 |
| 3. Bremgarten | 03 to 06 Dec 2026 |
| 4. Einsiedeln | 27 Nov to 6 Dec 2026 |
| 5. Lucerne | 20 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027 |
| 6. Bern | 20 Nov 2026 to 3 Dec 2026 |
| 7. Montreux Noël | 20 Nov to 24 Dec 2025 |
| 8. Lausanne “Bô Noël” | TBA probably 19 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 |
| 9. Geneva “Noël au Quai” | 19 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
| 10. Lugano “Natale in Piazza” | TBA probably 26 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
At the end of this post, I have a longer list of more Swiss Christmas markets that might interest you.
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Get the Winter Guide & Map1. Zurich Christmas Markets
Dates: 20 Nov to 23/24 Dec 2026
Zürich city has several big Christmas markets scattered through the city, as well as festive winter gardens with food, music, light shows, and fun activities like candle dipping.
Main locations: Zurich HB main station, Sechseläutenplatz, Münsterhof, Grossmünsterplatz, Hirschenplatz, Europaallee, Landesmuseum and more. See map of all locations.
Times: most open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, closing earlier on Sundays and Christmas Eve
Parking: Parkhaus Opéra – Schillerstrasse 5, 8001 Zürich / Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof – Sihlquai 41, 8005 Zürich
Our favorite Zurich market is “Weihnachtsdorf” at the large plaza in front of the Zurich opera house. It has the best food, both Swiss and international, and a delightful atmosphere, with lots of cute and cozy places to sit with friends.
If you are shopping, it has higher quality, more modern products than the other markets. They have an adorable carousel, making it more inviting and fun for kids.
The Christkindlimärkt at the Zurich main station has stands selling more traditional products and market food. It’s in a indoor hall, great choice is there is wet weather.
The Münsterhof market next to the Fraumünster cathedral has more local businesses, with the theme “from Zürich, for Zürich”. They have nice photo opp where you can sit with Zürich Böögg snowman in a sleigh.
The Illuminarium at the Swiss National Museum courtyard is decorated with thousands of lights and filled with tasty food and drink stands, popular for after work apero. Every night they have light shows projected on the castle walls (tickets required).
Learn more about all the Zurich Christmas Markets
2. Basel
Open: 26 Nov to 23 Dec 2026
Basel Christmas Market is concentrated in the picturesque old town. They have a lot of good traditional food stands, like fried apples, latkes, pretzels, fire roasted salmon. They have a children’s market, with rides, displays and activities for kids.
- Location: Basel Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz
- Times: daily 11:00 to 20:30
- Website: www.basel.com
3. Bremgarten
Dates: 03 to 06 Dec 2026
Bremgarten is a village near Zurich with a picturesque medieval old town that is worth a slow stroll with a camera. They host a small, but nice Christmas market for just one weekend, which means everyone has to visit at the same time and crowds ensue.
- Location: Bremgarten train station
- Website: http://www.weihnachtsmarkt.ch/
We suggest going by train. But if you must drive, look for the event signs directing you to the market parking, from which you will take a shuttle to the market. Bremgarten says drive to this point and you’ll see signs for the parking.
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Yes, I need help!4. Einsiedeln
Dates: 27 Nov to 6 Dec 2026
The Christmas market at Einsiedeln has a beautiful setting on the plaza just below the famous monastery. It only runs for 10 days, so make a plan early so you don’t miss it.
- Location: Klosterplatz 8840 Einsiedeln
50 mins by train from Zurich to Einsiedeln, Bahnhof
Parking at Birchlistrasse 3, 8840 Einsiedeln - Times: 11:00 to 19:30, till 21:00 on Friday and Saturdays.
- Website: www.einsiedler-weihnacht.ch
We were happy to see more local and handcrafted products here than at other markets. They also have food and drink options we don’t see so often, like fondue poured into baguettes, fondant potatoes with raclette, mulled wine with locally produced cherry schnapps, and Feuerzangen
I’d recommend timing your visit with one of the musical concerts, which really add to the experience. The daily program is listed on their website.
Read my review of the Einsiedeln Christmas Market.
5. Lucerne
Dates: 20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026
Lucerne city itself is so beautiful, that it doesn’t take much to make it special for the holidays. They have a few Christmas markets:
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Rudolph’s Spectacle at Inseli Park | 20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 |
| Lucerne ice magic | 20 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027 |
| Christmas Train Lucerne | 22 Nov to 27 Dec 2026 |
| Luzern “Wiehnachtsmärt” at Fränziskanerplatz | 3 Dec to 21 Dec 2026 |
| Hotel Schweizerhof Christmas market | Sundays 29 Nov, 6 Dec, and 13 Dec 2026 |
| Mt Pilatus Christmas market | 13 to 15 Nov 2026 |
Starting early in mid November, the “Rudolph’s Spectacle” market starts early in mid November. Instead of in the old town, the market is located in the Inseli Park along the lake with fantastic views.
Like other markets, it has a popup fondue chalet, food stands, and handicraft vendors. They also have musical concerts, storytellers, and other entertainment. There’s also often a temporary skating rink in front of the art museum by the main train station (see location).
Starting early December, another Christmas market and food stands pops up next to the Fränziskaner church.
Hotel Schweizerhof (see on map) hosts a Christmas market on three Sundays during Christmas season, with about 60 exhibitors in their gorgeous Zeugheersaal. On Saturdays, they have “Christmas Swing” musical entertainment on their decorated Christmas terrace.
Also near Lucerne, Mt Pilatus also hosts a Christmas market at the top of the mountain, just for one weekend 14-16 Nov 2025. Learn more.
6. Bern Christmas Markets
Dates: 20 Nov 2026 to 3 Dec 2026
Bern has five Christmas markets and winter popups around the city. Our favorite is the market at the Kleine Schanze park, which has nice setting in the park and lovely views.
| Market | Dates |
|---|---|
| 1. Berner Sternenmarkt at Kleine Schanze park | 20 Nov to 28 Dec 2025 |
| 2. Waisenhausplatz • website | 28 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2026 |
| 3. Münsterplatz • website | 28 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
| 4. Artisan’s market at Münsterplatform | weekends 5/6 and 19/20 Dec 2026 |
| 5. Ringgenpärkli park | TBA |
Website: bern.com
7. Montreux Noël
Dates: 20 Nov to 24 Dec 2025
This market has lots of fun extras for children, making it a great choice for a special family weekend during the lead up to Christmas. Every evening Samichlaus flys over the market as shown here.
There’s a ferris wheel, wish tree, candle dipping, and other activites. Plus lots of delicious food and festive shopping booths on the lakeside promenade.
Times: daily 11:00 to 20:00, times vary slightly by day of week
Location: Montreux lakeside, short walk from Montreux train station
Website: www.montreuxnoel.com
See our full review of the Montreux Nöel
8. Lausanne “Bô Noël”
Dates: TBA probably 19 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 (closed 25 Dec)
Lausanne has six Christmas markets around the city, each with a different focus and theme. To make it easier to get around, they offer a free “Christmas Train” shuttle that visits all seven markets in the city (Wed to Sun). It starts at Platform 10 near the Lausanne train station.
Note: As of Aug 2025, detailed info and dates for the individual markets is not yet available.
1. Grand Marché at Place de Saint-François. Traditional market with food and shopping stalls. They have a tall Nordic “Christmas tower” with a raclette bar on the bottom floor. Learn more.
2. Le Marché des Arts at Platform 10 / Place de la Gare. This market near the Lausanne train station has food stalls and fun amusements for young and old. They have a 35m long toboggan run and a Ferris wheel, so you can admire Lausanne from above. Santa visits on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 15:00 to 18:00 (except 20 & 30 Nov 2024). Learn more.
3. Marché des Artisans at Rue de Bourg / Rue de Lion d’Or. Traditional market stands and food stalls.
4. Marches des Papilles (aka Taste Buds Market) at Place des Pionnières. Food stalls and La Coeurnotzet brewery. Learn more.
5. La Terrasse des Amis at Terrasse Bel-Air. Food stalls including popup fondue tent. Learn more.
6. Le Bô Quartier du Flon at Esplanade du Flon. Activities for families including visits with Santa, choir performances, donkey rides and street circus. See schedule.
7. Village des Enfants (aka Children’s Village) at Esplanade of Lausanne Cathedral. The Children’s Village has fun activities like Christmas crafts and storytelling. They offer pony rides in the afternoon on Wed, Sat and Sun. In 2024, they are adding a curling rink. Learn more.
Learn more on bo-noel.ch
9. Geneva “Noël au Quai”
Dates: 19 Nov to 24 Dec 2026
The Geneva Christmas market is located at Quai due Mont-Blanc along the lake, a beautiful setting with the iconic Jet d’Eau fountain in view. The market has shopping and food stands, as well as a Christmas Pub with a DJ.
The market has a variety of musical performances, including alphorns, choirs, brass band, and even bagpipes. See full program.
For children, The market has two carousels and in the nearby Parc des Bastions, an open-air ice skating rink. They also have a Children’s Yurt, where they offer arts and crafts workshops, storytelling, dance classes and the like. Santa visits the market three times, where children can interact with him and take pictures.
The market has a large popup wooden chalet where you can enjoy fondue. You can even book a fondue in a horse-drawn carriage through the Old Town. Reserve early!
Learn more about Geneva Christmas Market
10. Lugano’s “Natale in Piazza”
Dates: TBA probably 26 Nov to 24 Dec 2026
Lugano’s Christmas market runs all of December through the week after New Years, making it a nice place to visit after Christmas when most other markets have already closed.
The market is held in Piazza della Riforma, filled with over 60 market stands and a very tall Christmas tree in the center. In the nearby Ciani park, they have an open air ice skating rink.
Website: luganoeventi.ch
Bellinzona Christmas Market
Our next choice in this region would be the Bellinzona Christmas market, which hosts over 200 market stalls. Not only is the old town charming, the market has the beautiful backdrop of the three UNESCO World Heritage castles.
This market only runs two Sundays, 15 & 22 Dec 2025 from 10:00 – 18:00. Learn more.
More Ticino markets
Many villages in Ticino host small Christmas markets, some just for one day.
Extra credit – Alsace, France
Colmar Christmas Market 28 Nov to 30 Dec 2026
Christmas is a perfect pair for the impossibly adorable Alsace region of France. It all looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. We did a little market tour of the area, visiting several towns including Selestat, Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Eguisheim, and Colmar.
We found Riquewihr the most charming of the small towns. Colmar is the largest and most popular, very beautiful, but a little more busy and less quaint than the others.
Colmar has the most market stalls, an indoor craft market and children’s area with small rides. Selestat was our least favorite, more industrial and busy, not as cute.
In all the towns, we saw different products than in the Swiss Christmas markets, many with an Alsace flair. We also lots of cheap junk too; you can’t escape it.
Please note that accommodations book out early in this area as it is a destination Christmas market for many.
See www.noel-colmar.com for details.
More Swiss Christmas Markets
Here are the dates for more Christmas markets in Switzerland that would be worth visiting, particularly because the villages are attractive.
Most of these markets are much smaller than the ones described above and only run for a short time instead of the whole Christmas season.
| Zurich Region & Eastern Switzerland | |
| 29 Oct to 21 Dec 2025 | Baden |
| 27 Nov to 23 Dec 2025 | Winterthur |
| 27 Nov to 24 Dec 2025 | St Gallen |
| 28-29 Nov 2025 | Chur |
| 3 Dec 2025 to 4 Jan 2026 | Stein am Rhein |
| 4 to 21 Dec 2025 (Thu-Sun) | Rapperswil-Jona |
| 13 & 14 Dec 2025 | Schaffhausen |
| Near Bern | |
| 28-30 Nov 2025 | Kambly cookie factory, Trubschachen |
| 3/4 Dec 2025 | Solothurn |
| 19 Dec to 31 Dec 2025 | Interlaken |
| 29 – 30 Nov 2025 | Brienz |
| 5 to 23 Dec 2025 | Thun |
| 6 Dec 2025 | Spiez |
| Lake Geneva Region | |
| weekends 29/30 Nov, 6/7 Dec, 13/14 Dec 2025 | Chillon Castle |
| 28-30 Nov • 5-8 Dec • 12-14 Dec • 19-21 Dec 2025 | Gruyeres |
One Response
This is a very helpful guide. We plan to be in Zurich around Thursday December 12 to Friday December 13. I want to avoid getting Swiss Francs if at all possible. My Series 8 CHF notes from ten years ago are already no longer accepted. I don’t want to have more cash that I need if I don’t come to Switzerland again soon.
My question is do we need a certain amount of cash on hand, or can we get by with credit card if we only plan to eat at restaurants nearby?