Switzerland's Christmas Markets 2024

Montreux Noël is a large event spread across several delightful venues. The main market is held on the lakeshore with over 150 stalls; browse and choose Christmas gifts, handcrafted nativity scenes and sparkly decorations. Enjoy a hot waffle or spoil yourself at the oyster and Champagne stall! Chillon Castle features a unique Medieval Market on selected weekends and you can also try the convivial Lumberjack Village for a festive drink or two. Take a trip to Les Rochers-De-Naye at 2,042m, with fantastic views and even a Santa's grotto.

Held across the Lucerne's atmospheric Old Town, this magical event features wooden stalls selling all the typical handmade Christmas gifts you can imagine, from traditional wooden toys to cosy scarves and delightful candles. You can also stock up on beautiful decorations as well as delicious confectionary. There are tempting treats such as crèpes and mulled wine to savour as you browse. The market is open into the evening, offering an atmospheric experience amongst the illuminations. Don't miss the fondue chalet, or the ice rink perfectly situated by the lake. 

Bern's Old Town is an attractive backdrop to 3 Christmas Market venues. Münsterplatz market is devoted to local artisans and offers the chance to find a truly unique gift for a loved one. The more traditional market on Waisenhausplatz has festively decorated wooden stalls with a wide selection of typical Christmas gifts, sweets, decorations and handcrafted souvenirs. Mulled wine will give you a warm glow! The Starsmarket has a heated fondue hut, entertainment and local designers' stalls. Skate on the ice rink by the Parliament Building from 14 Dec.

Wander through a 10m decorated and illuminated tunnel to enter the heart of Interlaken's Christmas Market, where a huge Christmas tree and decorated chalets await you. Let yourself be whisked away to a magical winter wonderland full of sparkle and festive atmosphere, where the stalls selling handmade arts and crafts help to build the magic of Christmas. Treat yourself to a traditional delicacy and a mulled wine while you browse. Even Santa makes an appearance in the sky every evening! Winterheart-Interlaken as it is known is located in the Casino gardens.

Zurich goes in for Christmas in a big way with attractions across the city. The oldest Christmas Market is found in the picturesque Old Town, while the largest awaits in the square in front of the opera house. The main station boasts the Christkindlimarkt with plenty of stalls and a 10m sparkling tree! If you wander along Bahnhofstrasse you'll see the unique singing Christmas Tree and perhaps one of the choirs. A huge choice of gifts tempt you over to beautifully decorated market stands and there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy a glass of bubbles or a hot bite to eat.

Basel is the 'Christmas City' with illuminated buildings and decorated pine trees. The two markets in the Old Town feature around 160 wooden stalls offering a wonderful Christmas experience. Traders and artisans present pottery, Christmas spices, wooden decorations as well as perfumes and candles. Sweet gifts include famous Läckerli biscuits. Johann Wanner, the 'couturier of Christmas' has his famous shop in Basel's historic centre - it's worth a visit for its beautifully made decorations, handblown glass and traditional wooden toys.