The delights of Zürich in Switzerland are many. But many more are the delights of its Christmas markets. As you wander through the cobblestoned streets of medieval town squares, stroll across fancy shopping streets or even hop off onto the main train station in Zürich, the smell of cinnamon and hot mulled wine emanating from the Christmas markets will draw you in. Vacation rentals in Zurich are flocked by holiday-goers for this exact reason. Admire the illuminations, shop for gifts, sample local specialities or enjoy musical performances; the ultimate aim of Zürich’s Christmas markets is to spread holiday cheer! Prepare for your holiday trip by booking the top Vrbo vacation rentals in the city. For additional comfort, you can also book a hotel with a spa, and calm your senses. To get into the Christmas spirit, come and take a look at our selections of the most delightful Christmas markets in Zürich, Switzerland.
Popular picks in Zürich
Your trip to Zurich is incomplete without visiting the twin towers of Grossmünster church, a popular landmark in the city.
Known as one of the ‘Big Five’ lakes of Switzerland, Lake Zurich offers swimming, boating, and picnic opportunities for all.
Winter in Zürich
- According to the official website of Zurich, the experiences winter from December to February. January is when the winter is at its peak and temperature dips to 0 °C (32 °F) with snow and ice all around. So, be sure to pack your warm clothes, scarf, gloves, woollen hats, jackets, and boots.
Tip from tour guide
Another Christmas tradition to experience in Zürich is the lighting of the Lucy lights. The ceremonial lighting is named after The Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and heralds the advent season on Bahnhofstrasse. After the lighting, the famous fairs, ice skating rinks, Marlitram tram and fondue will be officially open!
Christmas traditions in Switzerland
According to Switzerland Tourism, winter has many older traditions as compared to summer as farmers back then had more spare time in winter. According to House of Switzerland, one of these is Christmas traditions, which includes:
- Celebrating the birth of Jesus
- Dressing up and visiting the church
- Decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols, eating special dinners, baking cookies, and sending each other gifts.
So, be sure to visit Zurich this holiday season to enjoy the holiday spirit and do not forget to visit its Christmas markets. For more details, check out our detailed guide.
Christmas markets in Zurich
1. Frau Gerolds Winter-Garten
Frau Gerolds Garten has been a staple of Zurich District 5’s Gerold area since 2012. With its trinket shops, garden dining, and cultural events, it’s quickly become one of the coolest hangout spots in town. Now, the garden has decided to bring the festivities all throughout the winter with Winter-Garten. Christmas-inspired dishes and markets, along with several food trucks, will be welcoming your arrival at the garden. Bonfires will be lit to keep you warm and cozy during this unique dining and shopping experience. Sip on some hot cocoa and savor your Zürich holiday! I feel this is the perfect place for couples and lovers to spend quality time together and enjoy the festive mood.
Frau Gerolds Winter-Garten
Address: Winter Restaurant in Frau Gerolds Garten, Geroldstrasse 23, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of Zurich Tourism
Website: Frau Gerolds Winter-Garten
Market highlights: Various types of cheese fondue
2. Zurich Wienachtsdorf
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Emanating a wonderful festive mood is the Zurich Wienachtsdorf (Christmas Village) at Sechseläutenplatz. Held every year in front of the Opera House, this is one of Zürich’s largest Christmas markets. About 100 festively-decorated market stalls come together to form the central attraction of Zurich Wienachtsdorf. The bright lights give a magical glow to the Christmas wares on offer at the stalls - from jewelry by local designers, trinkets, gifts to high-quality leather goods and more! I will surely visit the Fondue-Chalet, which offers local Swiss specialities and global culinary delights. Plenty of children’s activities are available every day, including theatre performances, art, carousel rides, etc. Adults can enjoy cups of hot mulled wine, go ice skating or even try their hand at Bavarian curling.
Zurich Wienachtsdorf
Address: Zürcher Wienachtsdorf, Sechseläutenplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Zurich Wienachtsdorf
Market highlights: Cheese classics, wine, desserts and glühwein
Zurich Tour Guide
Iuliia Solodenko
Learned to read at the age of five. Loved fairy tales. For 11 years I studied the cello at the school that Oistrakh graduated from ( I am from Ukraine). My favorite lesson at school is history, it is my only passion. I dreamed to became an archaeologist, but I graduated from the acting faculty and worked as an actress in the theater. In 2008 I moved to Venice. Experience since 2011 in travel... Read more
3. Old Town Christmas Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Weihnachten beginnt
Posted by Dörfli-Weihnachtsmarkt im Zürcher Niederdorf on Thursday, November 23, 2017
Zürich at Christmas is truly something special. As the oldest Christmas market in Zürich, Old Town Christmas Market has a reputation to uphold and it does that very well thanks to its amazing holiday vibe, stunning Old Town backdrop and the good-natured cheer of the stall owners. Situated in the beautiful Niederdorf quarter, this market has oodles of charm with the glow of its lights, cobblestoned streets and the cultural diversity of its stalls. One minute you might be sampling the best Swiss fondue and another, you might be petting some llamas and tasting the spicy culinary delights from South America! There are fire shows, alphorn performances, musical shows and lots more to take in. The market often spills onto the side streets, so be sure to check those too.
Old Town Christmas Market
Address: Weihnachtsmarkt Dörfli, Niederdorfstrasse, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of this market
Website: Old Town Christmas Market
Market highlights: Mulled wines, exquisite cheese specialities, Christmas gifts
4. Werdmuehleplatz Christmas Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Singing Christmas Tree on Monday, 11 December 2017
Offenes Singen am Singing Christmas Tree mit Zürich Singt @deinestadtsingt #singingchristmastree #zürich #werdmühleplatz #weihnachten #weihnachtsmarkt #singing #foreveryone
Posted by The Singing Christmas Tree on Saturday, November 30, 2019
The outstanding feature of Werdmuehleplatz Christmas Market is the Singing Christmas Tree, which is a unique creation comprising of choir singers placed on varying levels shaped like a giant Christmas tree. The market attracts thousands of visitors with its unique daily concerts that are performed by melodious choirs from around Zürich. Other attractions at this Zürich Christmas market are stalls selling mulled wine, Swiss culinary delights, gifts, Christmas decor, souvenirs, etc. Children can also enjoy riding a colorful carousel at the market.
Werdmuehleplatz Christmas Market
Address: Werdmühleplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of The Singing Christmas Tree
Website: Werdmuehleplatz Christmas Market
Market highlights: Mulled wine, cocktails, apple punch, raclette, garlic bread or fondue, crêpes or grilled sausages
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Always frequent the Singing Christmas market because it is such an amazing experience & honestly the best Zurich has to offer. Very family-oriented & very kid-friendly. I especially love the Glühwein, soup & you can even book a table to have some fondue…” - by Google reviewer, Bonolo Mogotsi-Simão
5. Zurich Main Station Christmas Market
Also known as Christkindlimarkt, Zurich Main Station Christmas Market has the distinction of being one of Europe’s largest indoor Christmas markets and it is held on the main concourse of the station. The star attraction of this market is the Swarovski crystals bedecked 50-foot (15-meter) tall glittering Christmas tree. Complementing the sparkle of the tree are the 150+ colorful market stalls selling all manner of goods and unconventional gifts. Follow your nose to the stalls that sell mulled wine and at the Chäs Atelier, sample fondue and raclette. Visitors are also treated to a Christmas Lightshow every evening at the market.
Zurich Main Station Christmas Market
Address: Christkindlimarkt, Hauptbahnhof Zürich, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Zurich Main Station Christmas Market
Market highlights: Mulled wine and cinnamon and 10-meter (32.81 foot) tall decorated Christmas tree
6. Lintheschergasse Christmas Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Providing relief from your stressful last-minute Christmas shopping spree is the peaceful Lintheschergasse Christmas Market in Zürich. Operational for over 20 years, this Christmas market is conveniently situated between two popular department stores. From their cute market huts, traders sell handicrafts of all manner like traditional Christmas lanterns, precious jewelry, handmade ceramics, caps and gloves, natural leather products, etc. The friendly stall owners will even help you pick out Christmas gifts like homemade gingerbread, fresh nuts, Christmas ornaments, artisanal fragrances and oils, specialty teas, chocolates, cheese and lots more!
Lintheschergasse Christmas Market
Address: City Weihnachtsmarkt, Lintheschergasse, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Website: Lintheschergasse Christmas Market
Market highlights: Handicrafts and best mulled wine in the city
7. Christmas Island at Bauschänzli
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
In the heart of Zürich lies the miniature and artificial island of Bauschänzli. The public park is typically a restaurant or a beer garden, but come holiday season, the island transforms into a Christmas paradise that you may not want to leave once you visit! Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by the cutest little shops where you can get raclette cheese, chestnuts, and roasted almonds. Have a taste of the finest spiced wines to get yourself into the holiday spirit. I would love to visit here and treat my taste buds with these mouthwatering food items. Escape the rest of Zürich for a short while and make your way to the Christmas Island.
Christmas Island at Bauschänzli
Address: 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of Zurich Tourism
Website: Bauschänzli
Market highlights: Mulled and local wines and wine treats
Nearby markets
8. Winterthur's Old Town Christmas Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Shaped like snowy wooden chalets, more than 60 market stalls come together to form Winterthur’s Old Town Christmas Market in the centre of Winterthur’s Old Town. Lending a festive air to the market are its sparkling lights, colourful decorations and the fragrance of cinnamon and hot mulled wine against the backdrop of picturesque old townhouses. During my visit, I would love to shop for Christmas-y products like jewellery, candles, gingerbread, kitchen textiles, wood carvings, woollens, etc. or sample hot snacks and drinks.
Winterthur's Old Town Christmas Market
Address: Winterthurer Weihnachtsmarkt, Neumarkt, 8400 Winterthur
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of the Winterthur Christmas market.
Website: Winterthur’s Old Town Christmas Market
Market highlights: Face painting, gingerbread decorating, musical performance, jewellery, textile and mulled wines
9. Einsiedeln Christmas Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt. 30 Nov – 8 Dec . Einsiedeln-Ybrig-Zürichsee Tourismus
Posted by Zürich Tourism on Friday, November 29, 2019
With the magnificent Benedictine monastery as its backdrop, Einsiedeln Christmas Market paints a pretty picture, especially when combined with the bright festive lights, beautifully decorated market huts and a giant Christmas tree in the centre. While you are being enchanted by the brilliant Christmas illuminations, don’t forget to pop around to the various stalls to discover the amazing array of Christmas goods on sale. Browse through artworks, local culinary specialities, wood carvings, Christmas ornaments, gifts and souvenirs. I would love to buy some exquisite gifts for my loved ones from here. Often, local choirs enthral visitors with Christmas carols.
Einsiedeln Christmas Market
Address: Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt, Hauptstrasse 54, 8840 Einsiedeln, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of Einsiedler Christmas Market
Website: Einsiedeln Christmas Market
Market highlights: Risotto, apple fritters, handmade goods, pottery, handmade chocolate tools, angels and decorative items made from bush-hammered beech and candle-making
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“There is a beautiful and special Christmas market here in Einsiedeln. Watch wood carving or make candles yourself. Buy local handicrafts or enjoy local specialities. Everything your Christmas heart desires.” - by Google reviewer, Elke Hausammann
10. Rapperswil-Jona Christkindlimart
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Creating a romantic atmosphere during the holidays is the Rapperswil-Jona Christkindlimart. believe this market is a must-visit for all couples! Framed by the majestic medieval structures of Old Town Rapperswill, over 200 stalls set up the mood for Christmas at this market. Stroll through the stalls hand-in-hand with your partner and enjoy shopping for homemade goods, arts, home decor items, baked goods and more. Adding to the magical holiday ambiance are musical performances by choirs, guitarists and bands playing melodious Christmas tunes. Visitors can also enjoy candlemaking sessions, fairytales for children and a range of other activities at Rapperswil-Jona Christkindlimart.
Rapperswil-Jona Christkindlimart
Address: Fischmarktpl. 1, 8640 Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Rapperswil-Jona Christkindlimart
A delightful Christmas in Zürich
Besides maintaining their country’s natural beauty, peace and prosperity, another thing that the Swiss do well is Christmas markets. And nowhere is that better reflected than in the Christmas markets of Zürich. Whether you just happen to be there or take a special trip, Christmas in Zürich is always better with a visit to these markets.
Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of these markets may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.
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