Top 10 Christmas Markets In Switzerland

christmas markets in switzerland
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 4 min read

Many of us are looking forward to the most festive celebration of the year, which is Christmas. If you are hoping to enjoy a delightful holiday in a new place other than your own hometown, it would be great to visit Switzerland, which is arguably the most beautiful country in western Europe, if not the whole continent. There are plenty of things that you can do during your vacation, such as enjoying the Christmas trees, decorations, and lights that are all over the country. But there is one essential element that you cannot miss—the Christmas market—and Switzerland boasts tons of them. You may not even have the time to explore them all. That is why this article helps you get to know more about the top Christmas markets in Switzerland. Read on.

1. St. Gallen Christmas Market


It may be cold in Switzerland during wintertime, but even cold weather cannot stop people from visiting St. Gallen Christmas Market. As a visitor, you need to mingle with the locals and explore this famous destination too. Witness how alive the streets of St. Gallen can be with all the Christmas decorations, and visit as many stalls as you can. Whether you are looking to savor hot baked goods or drink a glass of wine, this market has them all. You can also buy handicrafts, souvenirs, and gifts to bring home.

St. Gallen Christmas Market

Address: Klosterplatz, CH-9000, St. Gallen, Switzerland

Takes Place: November-December

Website: St. Gallen Christmas Market

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2. Münsterplatz Christmas Market


You must have a Christmas wish list, and you can cross it off by making a stop at Münsterplatz Christmas Market and indulging in a shopping spree. Situated in front of an important landmark, the Cathedral of Bern, Münsterplatz Christmas Market is filled with stands that sell arts and crafts. You are sure to find something you like, or you can buy some pieces as Christmas gifts for your loved ones.

Münsterplatz Christmas Market

Address: Münsterplatz, 3011 Bern, Switzerland

Website: Münsterplatz Christmas Market

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 6:30pm; Fri: 11am - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm; December 24: 10am - 4pm

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3. Christmas in the Garden

Posted by Noël aux Bastions on Friday, 27 September 2019

Jardin Anglais, or English Garden, is arguably one of the most beautiful sites to be enjoyed in Geneva. You cannot leave the city without visiting this park. But during the Christmas season, the place becomes even more enchanting with all the Christmas trees and artificial lighting. However, its most prominent feature this year is definitely the Christmas market, which many of the local people love to call a Christmas village. Once you enter and walk along the path, there will be plenty of shops that are ready to please you. Discover local delicacies along with handmade crafts and other surprises in between the stalls. The exhibitor chalets may close up early, but head over to the Fondue Chalet and Christmas Pub for some late-night festivities.

Christmas in the Garden

Address: Jardin Anglais, Quai du Général-Guisan 34, 1204 Genève, Switzerland

Website: Christmas in the Garden

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 9pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm; November 18: 5pm - 10pm; December 24: 11am - 4pm; closed on December 25

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4. Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market

christmas markets in switzerland | waisenhausplatz christmas market
Source: instagram

Welcome to Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market, a traditional market that offers a variety of Christmas-related stuff and daily items in the middle of a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. You can also indulge in snacks, hot meals, wine, and other drinks during your time exploring.

Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market

Address: Orphanage Square, Bern, Switzerland

Website: Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm; December 24: 10am - 5pm

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Switzerland Tour Guide

Thomas Boeer

Thomas Boeer

Dear travellers, since 1992, when I began my studies as an expert in tourism at the International School of Tourism in Zürich, my life has been completed thanks to representing this wonderful country to people from all over the world. Today we work for the most important companies from this country as a guide and driver. we know every corner of this beautiful paradise made by hand. We know their traditions and customs, their best routes and the best places that few tourists have had the opportunity to enjoy. We have had the great opportunity to guide very important people of different cultures and we have excellent references. Our passion for this job will offer you an unforgettable experience for a lifetime. We will make you feel at home. Welcome to Switzerland, the whole year around! The slowness gives us the time to enjoy what we do.

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5. Christkindlimärt Christmas Market


Christkindlimärt Christmas Market is among the largest of its kind in Zurich and among the most popular in Switzerland. This reputation is not without reason. Featuring more than 100 stalls, Christkindlimärt Christmas Market is ready to treat you with culinary delights, along with homeware, handmade items, and more. Feast your eyes on the views of pretty Christmas trees as you are indulging in your favorite wine or a cinnamon roll.

Christkindlimärt Christmas Market

Address: Main Train Station, Zurich, Switzerland

Website: Christkindlimärt Christmas Market

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Sun - Wed: 10:30am - 9pm; Thu - Sat: 10:30am - 10pm; December 24: 10:30am - 4pm

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6. Montreux Nöel Christmas Market

Toute l’équipe de Montreux Noël vous souhaite un Joyeux Noël et ses meilleurs vœux pour la nouvelle année ! Un immense...

Posted by Marché de Noël - Montreux Noël on Monday, 24 December 2018

Be sure to head to the lakeshore of Lake Geneva, because here you can find one of the most creative Christmas markets across the country. While you are admiring hundreds of chalets that feature luminous displays, you can satisfy your stomach with a delectable selection of regional culinary specialties. But there is more to the Christmas fair than just mouth-watering delights. Here you can also enjoy musical performances and pick among thousands of gifts to be brought back home. What’s more, this Christmas market boasts a big Ferris wheel, right in the center.

Montreux Nöel Christmas Market

Address: Lakeshore of Lake Geneva, Montreux Noël, Switzerland

Website: Montreux Nöel Christmas Market

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: For artisans and merchants, Mon - Tue: 11am - 8pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 8pm; For food and beverage, Mon - Tue: 11am - 10pm; Wed - Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 10pm

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7. Einsiedeln Schwyz Christmas Market

Weihnachtsmarkt.dez.2017
Source: Photo by user Chris.urs-o used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Let the beauty of Einsiedeln Schwyz Christmas Market take your breath away. With the majestic Einsiedeln Abbey on Monastery Square as the backdrop and a massive Christmas tree right in the center, this fair is something you do not want to miss. The Christmassy atmosphere can be felt through the illumination displays. For your information, this Christmas market is special because of the Christmas crib that is claimed to be the largest across the globe. You can also stop by a gingerbread museum here.

Einsiedeln Schwyz Christmas Market

Address: Monastery Square, Einsiedeln, Switzerland

Website: Einsiedeln Schwyz Christmas Market

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 7:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm

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8. Schaffhausen Christmas Market

Christmas market in Stein am Rhein in Canton Schaffhausen, Eastern Switzerland. http://www.maerlistadt.ch (German only)

Posted by Switzerland. on Tuesday, 20 November 2012

What a whimsical place Schaffhausen turns into when December comes. From a charming medieval town, it completely transforms into something that your eyes will not believe. Imagine a castle that is made even more beautified with a lot of lighting. Then you can also please your eyes with all the shop windows that have been decorated creatively to evoke the holiday spirit. In addition to Christmas delicacies, the Christmas market also boasts a carousel along with storytellers that will delight you with their beautiful tales about Christmas and Santa Claus.

Schaffhausen Christmas Market

Address: Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website: Schaffhausen Christmas Market

Takes Place: December

Hours: Sat: 11am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm

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9. Murten Christmas Market


Have a pleasant stroll along the alleys of Murten as you are sipping a cup of hot chocolate and marveling at the buzzing lights and decorated chalets. Then you can visit as many stores as you can to find your favorite clothing items, jewelry, or handicrafts and art pieces. If the hunger kicks in because you smell the pleasant chestnuts and gingerbread, you know what you have to do.

Murten Christmas Market

Address: Old Town of Murten, Switzerland

Website: Murten Christmas Market

Takes Place: December

Hours: Fri: 6pm - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm

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10. Weihnachtsmarkt Dörfli

Endlich ist es soweit! Wir freuen uns über den ersten Abend in unserem Weihnachtsmarkt-Dörfli 2018. Kommt vorbei und geniesst mit uns!

Posted by Dörfli-Weihnachtsmarkt im Zürcher Niederdorf on Thursday, 22 November 2018

Last but not least, Weihnachtsmarkt Dörfli completes the list of the most delightful Christmas markets to be visited in Switzerland. Situated in the Old Town of Zurich, this Christmas fair is one of the oldest in the country. Expect to see a variety of crafts produced by local artists, along with fondue and other delicacies.

Weihnachtsmarkt Dörfli

Address: Old Town of Zurich, Switzerland

Website: Weihnachtsmarkt Dörfli

Takes Place: November-December

Hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm

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Spend an unforgettable Christmas in Switzerland

After reading through the article, now you know how splendid the Christmas markets in Switzerland can be. All you need to do is make your itinerary and book your flight tickets to this magnificent country. If possible, it is highly recommended to visit all of the above Christmas markets, and for sure you will have the ultimate holiday celebration.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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