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13 November 2026 · Mid November to 26 December; 2026 expected from 13 November, 2027 from 12 November · Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn, Spittelberg and others, Vienna

Vienna has more than 20 Advent markets and they could hardly be more different: the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz is the biggest and most touristy, with a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating trail through the park and three million visitors, and many stalls sell mass-produced goods. Nicer are the market in front of Schönbrunn Palace, the craft market on Spittelberg in the Biedermeier lanes, the market on Karlsplatz with handmade goods and the Old Viennese market on the Freyung. Punch costs around CHF 5 to 6 (EUR 5 to 6) plus a mug deposit, food at the stalls CHF 8 to 15 (EUR 8 to 16), and the quality varies a lot. At weekends the big markets are overcrowded from 4 pm; on weekday afternoons they are manageable. Hotel prices in Vienna rise noticeably in Advent, the Advent weekends are the most expensive of the year apart from New Year's Eve, and it is cold, wet and dark early, which suits the punch.

For travellers: Come on a weekday and start at Schönbrunn at 3 pm, then Spittelberg at dusk and finally Rathausplatz once the town hall is lit up; most markets close on 23 or 24 December, while a few run until 26 December or New Year.

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19 November 2026 · Late November to 23 or 24 December; 2026 expected from 19 November, 2027 from 18 November · Zurich and Montreux

Zurich has several Christmas markets at once: the Christkindlimarkt in the main station concourse with its Swarovski tree, the Wienachtsdorf on Sechseläutenplatz with fondue chalets and an ice rink, the small market in the Niederdorf, the floating lights on the Limmat and the Singing Christmas Tree on Werdmühleplatz, where choirs sing from a tree-shaped stand. Mulled wine costs CHF 6 to 8 (EUR 6.50 to 8.50), raclette or fondue in the chalets CHF 25 to 40 (EUR 27 to 42), and gifts are at Zurich price levels. Montreux Noël on Lake Geneva is the biggest Christmas market in French-speaking Switzerland: 170 chalets on the lakeside promenade, a flying Father Christmas above the market, the Christmas village in Chillon Castle and a market on the Rochers-de-Naye reached by cog railway, all against an Alpine backdrop and usually milder than in German-speaking Switzerland. On Advent weekends both places are packed and Montreux hotels add surcharges; on weekdays it is relaxed.

For travellers: In Zurich the Christkindlimarkt in the main station is ideal for a stopover with luggage, while Sechseläutenplatz has more atmosphere; for Montreux, go by train on a weekday and combine the market with Chillon Castle.