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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.

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There lots of fun events and activities in January in Switzerland that can help you brighten the cold, dark days of winter. I’ve included New Year’s Eve celebrations, light festivals, winter sports events, discount offers, and more. There is plenty to enjoy even if you don’t like winter sports or the cold.

Here is our curated list of what to do in January in Switzerland, including activities for kids and a slight emphasis on Zurich region since we live there.

January Event Calendar 2024

Quick reference for events happening in January.

31 Dec 2025New Year’s Eve fireworks in Zürich and Lucerne
Zürich New Year’s Eve Marathon
Appenzell Silvesterkläuse
4/5 Jan 2025Migros Family Ski Day – Meiringen-Hasliberg
6 Jan 2025Three King’s Day
9-19 Jan 2025Lilu Light Festival
11/12 Jan 2025Migros Family Ski Day – Pizol
12 Jan 2025Zürich Orchestra Family Concert
Dolder – free ice skating
13 – 18 January 2025Grindelwald World Snow Festival
13 Jan 2025Appenzell Silvesterkläuse
15-26 Jan 2025Murten Light Festival
17 Jan to 2 Feb 2025Geneva Lux Festival
19 Jan 2025Migros Family Ski Day – Wildhaus
25/26 Jan 2025Migros Family Ski Day – Sörenberg
25 Jan to 2 Feb 2025Château-d’Œx Hot Air Ballon Festival
25 Jan 2025Nutcracker Ballet at Volkshaus

New Years Celebrations

Here are a few New Year’s Eve celebrations near Zurich we can recommend. See more New Year’s Eve celebrations in Switzerland.

1. Zürich Fireworks: 31 Dec 2024, midnight

A few minutes after midnight on New Year’s Eve, you can watch fireworks over Zürich lake. You can enjoy the fireworks for free anywhere along the lake near Zürich city.

If you want to enjoy the celebrations from a heated party tent, you can get a ticket to the Magic Lake Zone with food and music before and after the fireworks. More info: www.silvesterzauber.ch. 

2. Lucerne New Year’s Eve Fireworks

On New Year’s Eve, Lucerne city has a fireworks show near the old town. It’s best enjoyed standing on the walkways and bridges along the river.

Note that the fireworks start at 8:15, *not* midnight. So this is a good choice if you have small children that can’t stay up late.

  • Date: 31 Dec 2024 – 8:15pm
  • Location: river near Lucerne old town
  • More info: www.luzern.com

3. Zürich New Year’s Eve Marathon

At the stroke of midnight, runners start a nighttime race along the Limmat river north of Zürich. The course is not lit, so you need to wear a headlamp. My friend did this recently and really enjoyed kicking off the new year in this sporty way.

You can choose a variety of distance include marathon, half, or quarter. There is also a short kids run (750m) earlier at 22:00.

Online registration closes 27 Dec but you can register in person until an hour before the race. Spots are limited and may sell out. Learn more.

4. Appenzell Silvesterkläuse

The New Year tradition in the Appenzell region, local dress up in costume with elaborate masks and headdresses. They walk around visiting private homes to wish them a happy new year with song and dance. Celebrations continue into the late evening, with processions in Urnäsch and surrounding villages.

Photo by Shesmax, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Visitors may observe and take pictures, but are asked keep a polite distance from the performers and private homes, so as not to disturb the locals.

This event happens on two separate days, celebrating the new year dates on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. This year, Silvesterkläuse is happening  on 31 Dec 2024 and 13 Jan 2025. Learn more.

Bonus – Three Kings Day: 6 Jan 2024

It’s not a New Years activity, but the next fun holiday in line. Three Kings Day is January 6, celebrated in much of Switzerland with a special bread sold at most groceries and bakeries.

It has several bread rolls in a circle, one of which contains a tiny figurine of Jesus or a King. The person who finds it is King (or Queen) for the day. The bread comes with a paper crown that the person can wear. You can decide what special treatment the King/Queen gets, often no chores for the day.

Most of the Three Kings Day bread have raisins. But some come with chocolate, which we much prefer. I like the chocolate one from Migros, but Bachmann also has a very nice one.

January Light Festivals

Here are some events and winter festivals happening in January. See more light festivals in Switzerland.

5. Lilu Light Festival Lucerne

In early January, Lucerne city is filled with about 20 creative light installations built by a variety of artists. It’s free to visit with the lights on at 18:00 every night during the festival. They also have two indoor light and music shows each night, about every 30 mins, tickets required. Learn more.

  • When: 9-19 Jan 2025, every evening 18:00 – 22:00
  • Where: Lucerne old town and lake promenade
  • Cost: free to visit light installations, tickets required for indoor light shows
  • More info: www.lichtfestivalluzern.ch

6. Grindelwald World Snow Festival

In January, the Grindelwald village hosts a snow festival, where artist teams create sculptures from huge blocks of snow over five days.

Visitors can watch teams in action at the Eiger+ plaza in the center of the village. Probably best to visit on the final days so you can see more completed sculptures.

7. Murten Light Festival

In January, the small village of Murten hosts a light festival with 20 light installations around the village. As part of the festival, you can decorate floating lanterns, put a wish inside, then launch them on the lake (CHF 5/lantern).

photos by Xonqnopp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There is also a 20 min light show at the Deutschekirche (aka German church, see on map), separate ticket required.

  • When: 15-26 Jan 2025 • every evening 18:00 – 22:00 
  • Where: Murten old town. Parkplatz Pantschau – Ryf 78, 3280 Murten, short walk from Murten old town.
  • Cost: CHF 8/adult, children under 16 free but still require a ticket. Limited number of visitors each evening.
  • More info: www.murtenlichtfestival.ch

8. Geneva Lux Festival

At the end of January, Geneva hosts a festival of lights with 20+ light installations around the city center, particularly along the lakeshore.

photos by Rémy Gindroz – Geneva Lux press kit

There are four suggested routes, including shorter family routes and a route to visit just the new installations. It’s free to visit. You can also book 2hr guided tour on Saturdays during the festival for CHF 15.

  • When: 17 Jan to 2 Feb 2025 • nightly 18:00 to 22:00
  • Where: suggested start Geneva Tourist Information Centre, Quai du Mont-Blanc 2
  • Cost: free to visit, option guided tour for CHF 15 
  • Website: evenements.geneve.ch

Live Performances

9. Frau Holle • Children’s Theater

Each winter, Zürcher Märchen Bühne stages a fun play for children at Theater am Hechtplatz in Zürich old town. In 2024/25, the play is a classic Grimm fairy tale about the value of hard work, featuring Frau Holle, who causes it to snow when she shakes out her feather duvet.

For children ages 4+. The show is 90 mins long. Performed in Swiss German.

10. Tonhalle Zürich Family Concert

The Zürich orchestra hall hosts concerts for family every month. These concerts take different forms but often include some story telling accompanied by music. In January 2025, the concert theme is “Conference of the Animals”

Our family has been to a few of their concerts and really enjoyed them. It’s best to get a seat as close to the front to help keep kids engaged.

11. Nutcracker Ballet

If you need a little more Christmas in your life, the Volkshaus usually hosts a performance of the classic Nutcracker Ballet in January. It’s a small-ish venue, but I’d suggest a balcony seat if possible for the best views.

In 2025, the ballet is performed by the Théâtre Classique company that combines traditional choreography with modern staging. So it may be a little different from your childhood memories.

Temporary Art Exhibitions

12. “Tutanchamun” Immersive Exhibition

In winter 2024/25, Lichthalle MAAG Zürich offers an immersive multimedia experience about the child king, Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The show explores the Nile region, Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, accompanied by music. You can optionally book tickets that include VR glasses for a more up close experience.

You can book tickets in advance for a specific day and time slot on the hour and half-hour. But you can stay as long as you like. We suggest planning to stay about one hour.

13. Yuki Show & Digital Art Show

The festive Illuminarium hosts two multimedia shows, projected on the courtyard walls of the Swiss National Museum. Yuki’s Musical Christmas is a playful show that kids will enjoy. It has four shows nightly, every 45 mins from 17:00. Digital Art Show: Odyssey in Space has four shows nightly, starting every 30 mins from 20:00.

Tickets sometimes sell out on weekends, but you can often get tickets the same day.

14. Immersive Light Shows at Zürich Wollishofen Church

In January, Kirche Auf der Egg in Zürich Wollishofen is hosting two light and music shows during January with different themes. In both cases, videos are projected on the chapel walls and ceilings, accompanied with music. You can sit in the church pews or on bean bags on the floor for a more comfortable experience. 

Enlightenment 2024 Light Show

This immersive light and music show is projected on the the chapel interior, this winter at Kirche Auf der Egg in Zürich Wollishofen. This year’s theme revolves around the four seasons and is accompanied with music by Vivaldi. To get an idea of what it’s like, here’s the similar Genesis show from a few years ago.

You book tickets for a specific day and time slot. You should arrive at least 15 mins before the show so you can be seated before the show begins. The show lasts 40 minutes.

  • Dates: 27 Sep 2024 to 2 Feb 2025
  • Time: Wed to Sun 17:45 to 20:30
  • Tickets: feverup.com

PixelZoo: thru 3 March 2024

PixelZoo is the “Biggest Aquarium in Europe” with beautiful videos of marine life traveling across the chapel interior. They also have a drawing activity, where your art is then digitized and brought to life.

You book tickets for a specific day and time slot, on the hour and half hour. You can enter any time during your half-hour slot and stay as long as you like. The show lasts 45 minutes, running on a continous loop. Most visitors stay about 60 – 90 mins.

  • Dates: 25 Sep 2024 to 2 Mar 2025
  • Time: Wed – Sun 10:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: feverup.com

Special winter activities for January

Here are some special non-skiing activities to enjoy in January.

15. Walk & skate on a frozen lake

January is usually the coldest month, so it’s your best chance to walk or skate on a frozen lake. Most winters you can walk on the Oeschinensee lake, where they prepare a path on the ice for walkers and sometimes for ice skating. Check Oeschinensee website for frozen lake status.

Walking on frozen lake Oeschinensee in early February 2024

We’ve also skated on the the Partnunsee near Davos Klosters, but it doesn’t freeze very often. 

With warming global temps, many lakes don’t freeze as often anymore. But if temperatures drop under freezing for a least a week, check the lake status to see what’s open.

16. Lantern walks

Some communities and mountain areas host evening winter walks that are lit by lanterns and other festive illuminations. Below are a few near Zürich you might try.

Sattel Hochstuckli  – 2 km loop over the suspension bridge. Every Saturday from 2 Dec to 9 March 2024, as well as 27 Dec 2023 and 31 Dec 2023. Cost: CHF 28/person to ride the gondola. We suggest reserving a fondue dinner at Restaurant Mostelberg after the lantern walk. Learn more.

Schwägalp Lanternliweg – 40 mins loop. Free. Open Thurs, Fri and Sat through March 2023 and every day during the Christmas holiday break. Reserve for fondue dinner at Gasthaus Passhöhe or Säntis Hotel. Learn more.

Laternenweg Unteriberg – 1.3 km with 40 candle-lit lanterns. Daily from 17:00 – 22:00 through 6 Jan 2024. Free. Learn more.

Zugerberg Lichterweg – Ride the Zugerberg funicular train to reach this 1.2 km winter path lit with candles and other lights. The path leads to a nativity scene in the forest. Open 6 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024. The lights go on at 16:30. The funicular runs every 15 mins from 17:00 – 21:00. Cost for funicular: CHF 11.50/adult. Discount for children & SBB Half-fare. Free with GA. Learn more.

See more Lantern Paths.

17. Night sledding

Many mountains offer night sledding, usually only on weekends or a couple nights a month. So check the schedules carefully before making plans. Here are a couple we’d suggest for January.

Flumserberg Prodalp night sledding

Flumserberg is one of the closest ski resorts to Zürich that offers night sledding. You reach the 3km long sledding route with the Tannenheim-Prodalp gondola. You can rent sleds on-site, no reservation required. If you’d like fondue that evening, you can book it at the Prodalp Bergrestaurant next to the start of the sledding route.

Lenzerheide “Light Ride”

This night sledding is a race between four sledders with lighted gaming elements along the course. Riders can collect points for things like riding over icons on the path and hitting targets.

You have to buy tickets and reserve sleds ahead of time.You use the Lenzerheide Rothorn gondola to reach the sledding route. Lenzerheide is a bit from Zurich for a day trip, so best to stay overnight.

See more night sledding in Switzerland in this Famigros article (German only).

18. Moonlit snowshoe tour

If weather and snow conditions are right, you can enjoy a snowshoe tour in the mountain lit only by the moon. You need to book these events well in advance as spots are limited.

I did a full moon snowshoe tour Atzmännig, which was a tough uphill climb (400m), but relatively short. At the top, we had gorgeous views across the Zürich Oberland countryside, with little twinkling lights in each village. We hiked back down, sliding through deep snow at time. Then we warmed up in a cozy chalet with fondue. Definitely a special experience!

This one cost CHF 77 including snowshoe rental, apero drink, and fondue dinner. Their January date is sold out but spots are available for February and March. Book here.

For January, here are a few options that still have spots at the time I’m writing this. Tours may be cancelled due to poor weather and/or snow conditions.

  • Illgau – Wed 24 Jan 2024 and Thurs 25 Jan 2024. Learn more.
  • Sattel Hochstückli – 13 & 27 January 2024 (assuming enough snow). CHF 59/person which includes gondola ticket and snowshoes. Fondue can be separately reserved at the Mostelberg restaurant. Learn more.
  • Brunni Alpthal – possible on weekends, minimum 4 people. CHF 85 for guide, snowshoes, fondue, and sled for the way back. Learn more.
  • Maria Rickenbach – Full moon tour on 27 Jan 2024. Learn more and sign up here.

19. Ice skating in the wild

If January is cold, you can ice skate in the wild on a few frozen paths (aka Eisweg) in southwest Switzerland. They use machines to smooth over the path, so it relatively smooth and safe for skating.

Depending on weather conditions, they may not be open all winter season or at all, so check the status carefully. 

For January 2025, the two skating paths in the Engadin region are scheduled to be open:

  • Engadin near Scuol – 3 km loop / day pass Adult CHF 12, Child 7, skate rental CHF 5 / map/ info
  • Madulain near St Moritz – 3 km loop / free, no skate rental / map / info

These ones aren’t open:

  • Grütsch near Chur – 2.7 km one way / free to use, skate rental CHF 5 / map / info / trail status updates on FB
  • Skateline Abula – This is most well known skating path, the one you probably have seen on social media. It’s been closed since Covid times and still closed in 2024/25 due to permits and lack of workers. Check status here.

Spa, wellness & cold dips

20. Sauna boat & cold water dip

If you haven’t tried cold water swimming yet, combining it with a sauna boat would be a good first experience. In Zürich, you can rent a sauna boat, which you can float out into of the lake. You stoke a real fire to heat the sauna, then jump into the cold lake to cool off (around 3-7 C in January).

I have two groups of friends that have done it and highly recommend it. It costs CHF 450 for 2-6 people. Rent the Zürich sauna boat here. You can also rent a sauna boat in Lucerne.

21. Thermal baths

Switzerland has many thermal baths and indoor swimming with heated pools. If you are looking one near your hotel, just google “Thermalbad” and you are sure to find one nearby. If you are in the Zürich area, here are a few of our favorites near the city.

Hürlimann Bad & Spa Zurich is right in the city, with a fantastic heated pool on the rooftop with a view over the city. We like their Roman-Irish spa ritual, in which you visit a series of rooms including steam rooms, pools with massage jets, quiet lounge rooms, and more. Great for adults that want to relax, not the best option with kids.

For families, we like Therme Zurzach which has four large indoor/outdoor heated pools, most with massage jets, bubbles, and waterfalls. We like the hot & cold pools and “dead sea” pool with high salt content so you float effortlessly.

Kids will love the powerful river pool, which is best enjoyed with a flotation device if they aren’t strong swimmers or are not tall enough. For younger children, there is an indoor kiddie pool with sprays and a little slide. The sauna rooms and some pools are adults only; so check the signs before using each feature. There is a small café inside the facilities.

See more thermal baths we like near Zurich

Winter sport events & discounts

Usually January is the coldest month in Switzerland, with good snow conditions at most ski resorts. See all our winter sport posts. 

However, Switzerland sometimes has a warm spell in late December or early January. In this case, the slopes at lower elevations may not be fully covered with snow and/or conditions may be muddy and wet. So check conditions carefully before choosing a ski destination.

22. SBB Snow n’Rail discounts

If you travel by train to go skiing, you get a discount on your train travel, ski pass and ski rental by booking through the Snow n’Rail offer.

Below are participating ski resorts for 2023/24 that are within a day trip of Zürich or Lucerne. The offer conditions vary between ski resorts, so check the details.

Note: The 2024/25 offers are not yet available. I will update this list asap.

Lake Lucerne region

South of Zurich:

See all Snow n’Rail offers.

23. Migros Family Ski Days & Grand Prix Races

Most weekends during ski season, Migros hosts Family Ski Days at different ski resorts around Switzerland. For about CHF 95-110 per family, everyone gets a ski pass and lunch and the kids can participate in a ski race. In 2024/25 season, you also up to 80% discount on your train journey to the ski resort.

In January, here are the dates:

  • 4/5 Jan 2025 – Meiringen-Hasliberg
  • 11/12 Jan 2025 – Pizol
  • 19 Jan 2025 – Wildhaus
  • 25/26 Jan 2025 – Sörenberg

These sell out quickly so check the availability and sign up now on Migros Family Ski Day page.

On weekends from January to March, Migros also hosts “Grand Prix Migros.” This is the biggest ski race for kids in Switzerland, held at various ski resorts around the country.

Any child aged 8 to 16 may participate, not just ski clubs. They also offer a Mini Race for children under 8. You must register two weeks before the event. Register and learn more about Grand Prix Migros

24. Kids ski free at Aletsch Arena – Saturdays in January

At the Aletsch Arena ski resort, kids and youth up to 16 years old ski free on every Saturday of the ski season. If you are traveling by train, you can also get a redirection on your train ticket as part of the SBB Snow n’Rail offer.

view of Aletsch glacier from top of Bettmerhorn ski lift
view of Aletsch glacier from top of Bettmerhorn ski lift

They also offer free ski lessons for beginners on three dates. You need to pre-register directly with the ski school. On the days of the ski lessons, children and youth can rent equipment for free at participating sports stores.

Read our review – Book your tickets

25. Free ice skating at Zürich Dolder

The Dolder ice rink offers a few free skating days through winter season. In January, you can skate for free on Sunday 12 Jan 2025, including free skate rental. These days are usually quite crowded, so best to arrive early.

They also host “ice discos” with music and lights about once a month, including 25 Jan 2025. See Dolder ice rink calendar.

Fun places to eat in January

Although the Christmas markets close before Christmas, you can still get that Christmas market vibe at these festive venues. See also our suggestions for Special Places for Cheese Fondue in Zürich.

26. Uetliberg Winterzauber

All winter long, you can enjoy visit the “winter magic” festival on Uetliberg, the small mountain overlooking Zürich. To reach the top, it’s a short train ride from the Zürich main station. The event includes festive lights, market stalls, food booths, mulled wine and activities like candle dipping and curling.

The popup fondue chalet is open through end of January, reservations recommended. More info: utokulm.ch

27. Frau Gerolds Winter Garten

At this festive winter garden in Zürich city, you can enjoy fondue or raclette under fairy lights with fires and blankets to help keep you warm.

The food is self-serve, ordered at the counter (no reservation required). On some nights, there are other food and drink stalls open around the garden. If you need to stay warm, you can reserve a table in their indoor “Winterstübli.” More info: www.fraugerold.ch

Cultural Events

Here are a few popular events that happen in January. 

28. Chateau d’Oex Balloon Festival

Every January, this small village in the mountains west of Montreux hosts a magical hot air balloon festival.

Your festival ticket allows you to wander through the balloon launch area, getting quite close to the action. The main event is watching the balloons launch and fill the sky with beautiful colors throughout the day. For a special experience, you can event book a ride in a balloon or a helicopter, so you can see the event from the air.

There are other amusements including food and drink stands, a treasure hunt and face paining for children, exhibition on the history of balloon flight with a 4D simulator, and virtual reality tour of local cheese production.

You may want to coordinate your visit with one of the events, like the air shows, night time illuminations or musical performances. See the daily program for details. 

If you can’t make it to Chateux d’Oex, Sattel Hochstuckli hosts a smaller balloon event on 7 Jan 2023. Learn more.

29. Snow Polo World Cup

This prestigious polo tournament is played on the frozen lake adjacent to the St Moritz village. The tournament is typically held over the last weekend in January,  this year on 27-29 Jan 2023. Games are held during the day, from around 11:00 to 16:00. Check the exact program on their website.

Photo: Frédéric de Goldschmidt www.frederic.net, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

A ticket to sit in the stands costs CHF 110/per day, which includes a blanket, canapes and a glass of champagne. But you can also watch for free just standing around the edges of the snowy polo field. Book tickets to Snow Polo World Cup.

30. St Moritz Gourmet Food Festival

This renowned culinary festival brings together acclaimed chefs from around the globe to showcase their skills. At this event, you can book spots for individual events like gourmet dinners prepared by the guest chefs and wine tastings led by expert sommeliers.

Prices are high (most dinners start around CHF 270/person) and spots book out far in advance. But if you love fancy food, this is an amazing opportunity to experience some of the best the gastronomy world has to offer without traveling the world. It’s also a great excuse to take the beautiful train route between Chur and Samedan that crosses the famous Landwasser Viadukt.

  • When: 27 Jan to 1 Feb 2025, dinners most evenings at 19:00
  • Where: various hotels in St Moritz and neighboring villages
  • Cost: starting around CHF 270/person for gourmet dinners
  • More info: www.stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch

What do you like to do in January?

Picture of Tanya, Swiss Family Fun
Tanya is the founder and editor of Swiss Family Fun. She has lived in Zurich Switzerland since 2005, spending most of her free time hiking in the Swiss alps.
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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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