Switzerland

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.

11 December 2026 · Weekend around 12 December; 2026: 11 to 13 December, 2027: 10 to 12 December · Old Town, Geneva

Geneva celebrates the repelled attack by Savoy on the night of 11 to 12 December 1602, when, according to legend, Mère Royaume tipped a pot of hot soup over the attackers. That is why chocolate cauldrons (marmites) filled with marzipan vegetables are sold everywhere in these days; the youngest and the oldest at the table smash them together with the words "Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République". On the festival weekend a torchlit procession of more than 800 people in 1602 costume, with horses, cannons and drums, winds through the old town on Sunday evening; on Friday and Saturday there is vegetable soup from cauldrons, mulled wine and children in fancy dress, and the weekend before brings the Course de l'Escalade, Switzerland's biggest fun run, through the old town. There is no entrance fee; the old town lanes are packed on Sunday evening but not unpleasantly so. Hotels in Geneva are booked at normal levels this weekend, and the city is cheaper in December than in summer.

For travellers: For the Sunday procession, stand on Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville or at the Bourg-de-Four from 5 pm, as the parade takes a good two hours; the marmites are sold in every confectioner from late November, the small ones from around CHF 8 (EUR 8.50).

Official site ↗

4 February 2027 · Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday; 2027: 4 to 10 February, Güdismontag on 8 February · Lucerne

Lucerne's carnival is the wilder sister of Basel's: on Fat Thursday the Urknall (big bang) goes off at 5 am on Kapellplatz, and from then on Guggenmusig bands, masks and costumed groups roam the old town until deep into the night. There is no spectator role; whoever comes dresses up and joins in, confetti and deliberately off-key brass included. The big parades take place on Thursday and Güdismontag afternoons, and on Tuesday evening it all ends with the Monstercorso. There is no entrance fee, but on the main days the old town is so packed that you will not get far with a pushchair or wheeled suitcase. Hotels are well booked this week but not sold out, and Lucerne is only an hour from Zurich.

For travellers: For the 5 am Urknall it is worth staying the night in Lucerne, as the first trains from Zurich arrive too late; bring earplugs, the bands play right in front of you.

Official site ↗