The best Christmas markets (Marché de Noel or Weihnachtsmarkt) to visit in Switzerland are in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Montreux, Pilatus, St Gallen, and Zurich.
In recent years, many Swiss cities have introduced Christmas markets to bring some holiday cheer to the December advent period. Very few Christmas markets in Switzerland can claim the centuries-old traditions of German Advent markets and most are much smaller and less lively. The Christmas lights in many Swiss cities are spectacularly beautiful and often stay switched on until mid-January. The top Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) in German-speaking Switzerland are in Basel, Bern, St Gallen, and Zurich while Montreux Noël on Lake Geneva is the most famous Marché de Noël in French-speaking Switzerland. Mt Pilatus and Rochers-de-Naye have high-altitude Christmas markets on Alpine peaks and may guarantee a White Christmas. Many ski resorts in the Swiss Alps have small festive markets that may stay open past Christmas time.
Top Traditional Christmas Markets in Switzerland in 2024
The best Christmas markets in Switzerland are largely recent inventions by local cities and the Switzerland tourism industry. However, Swiss Christmas markets are now as much part of Christmas celebrations as Christmas trees and Christmas carols. Larger cities have the best markets but many smaller towns, especially Alpine ski resorts, are the best places to visit during the holiday season for beautiful markets and festive atmosphere.
Famous colorful Christmas markets in German-speaking Switzerland include:
- Basel – the Basler Weihnachtsmarkt has around 150 market stalls in the old town selling popular foods, hot chestnuts, local crafts, hand-made gifts, and of course Glühwein and other drink. This is the best Christmas market to visit in Switzerland.
- Bern – the Berner Weihnachtsmärkte are held on various town squares inside the beautiful old town of the Swiss capital.
- St Gallen – the Weihnachtstadt is in the old town famous for its UNESCO-listed monastery library.
- Zurich – the Zürcher Christkindlimarkt is a magical market held inside the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and may well be the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe.
- Mt Pilatus – the Christkindlimärt at 2,132 m (6,995 ft) is the highest Christmas market in Europe.
Best Christmas Markets in French-Speaking Switzerland 2024
Top Christmas markets in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (Romandie) include:
- Montreux – the Marché de Noël is one of the most famous in Switzerland. The main market is on the shores of Lake Geneva with a special medieval market at Chateau de Chillon Castle. Santa’s House can be visited on Rochers-de-Naye to visit Santa Claus (Father Christmas). A special cog-wheel, novelty train ride climbs from Montreux to the top of this Alpine peak overlooking Lac Léman.
- Geneva – the Marché International de Noel combines Swiss Christmas traditions with foreign ones in this famously internationally oriented city. The main Christmas market in Genève is on the Quay Mont Blanc and the Jardin Anglais on the banks of Lac Léman just below the old town rather than in the city center, where shops often have the most fantastic fairy lights and shop-window decorations during the Christmas holidays.
- Lausanne has an increasingly active events program during Advent. The main Marché de Noël (Christmas market) is on Place St Francois with further markets on various squares in the famously hilly city. The Village des Enfants (Village for Children) is at the Cathedral — the finest Gothic building in French-speaking Switzerland. The larger markets extend the festive Christmas season until December 31 (but are closed on Christmas Day).
Opening Hours of the Best Christmas Markets in Switzerland
Swiss Christmas markets are generally open from late November to Christmas Eve. Smaller towns and ski resorts often have markets only over weekends or just a few days leading up to Christmas. Markets are generally open from late morning to around 8 or 9 pm. Late afternoon, early evening is often the most atmospheric time to visit open-air markets.
The best Christmas markets will generally not be open on Christmas Day (December 25) but some may be open on Christmas Eve (December 24) but probably not at night, when traditional Swiss people celebrate the Christmas holiday mostly privately in family groups. Midnight mass and nativity scenes remain popular in many parts of Switzerland. In some tourist areas, the markets are now extended for a few days past Christmas Day and even into the New Year.
Travelers familiar with a true German Weihnachtsmarkt may well find Swiss Christmas markets a bit of a disappointment. Not only do they not have the same long tradition but they are generally much smaller and on quiet days may feel far less exciting too.