As you approach Lucerne’s Christmas market this winter, you will surely encounter the scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts.
If you’re planning a visit, this guide has all the details for 2024, including dates, opening times and local specialties.
Lucerne Christmas Market
The Christmas market in Lucerne is a lively hub, with many traditional wooden chalets stocked with handmade crafts, locally made gifts and regional food specialties.
Dates and Location
Lucerne Christmas Market dates: 29th November to 21st December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Franziskanerplatz.
Opening times: 11am to 8pm. Food stands close at 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date: 29th November (unconfirmed).
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, at Kongresszentrum.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Traditional Swiss products and gourmet food.
Recommended tour: You might like this popular cruise on the lake towards Meggenhorn Castle.
Specialities: Raclette, nusstorte, Swiss bratwurst, artisan chocolates, traditional cheese fondue.
Where to stay: Hotel des Balances is an excellent hotel 3-minutes from the event.
Convenient Hotel
The Altstadt (Old Town) area in Lucerne is the ideal area to stay, particularly around Franziskanerplatz.
In this area, I recommend Hotel des Balances as it’s highly rated and reasonably priced.
Event Location
Recommended Tours
If you’re happy to get on the water, this lake tour in Lucerne is a good introductory tour.
But if food is more your thing, this food tour includes tastings of 5 different types of Swiss chocolate, 3 types of Alpine cheese and a glass of Swiss wine. It also includes visits to some of the city’s main attractions, so it’s a great tour overall.
Read this Switzerland Christmas Markets 2024 guide that can help you plan a festive trip.
What to Expect
Regional Specialties
- Zürcher Eintopf: A hearty one-pot dish originating from Zurich, it contains a mix of vegetables, bacon, and sausage.
- Raclette involves melting the cheese and scraping it onto potatoes, pickles, onions and (sometimes) bacon.
- Fondue: One of the most well-known Swiss dishes, fondue consists of a pot of melted cheese into which pieces of bread are dipped. Of course, there is a chocolate version, too.
- Lebkuchen: A type of soft spiced gingerbread cookie often given as gifts.
- Grittibänz: This is a sweet bread person traditionally baked for St. Nicholas’ Day in early December. It is often decorated with raisins for the eyes, mouth, and buttons.
- Swiss Plum Pie (Zwetschgenwähe): This classic autumn dish sometimes finds its way onto winter menus. It features ripe plums baked into a flaky, buttery pie crust.
At the Food Stalls
- Glühwein: The traditional festive drink steeped with spices and orange peel.
- Bratwurst: An enduring favourite in Swiss street food.
- Roasted Chestnuts: Street vendors sell these warm, sweet nuts, making for a perfect snack while browsing the market stalls.
- Swiss Pastries: Nusstorte is one of the most popular at this time of year. Also, look out for mailänderli, a lemon-flavoured shortbread biscuit often made into festive shapes.
- Churros: Originally from Spain, churros have become a staple at international festivals.
Souvenirs and Gifts
- Chocolate: Swiss chocolate is world-renowned. Look out for beautifully packaged assortments, ideal for gifting or treating yourself.
- Ornaments: They range from intricately carved wooden decorations to delicate glass baubles, each one capturing a piece of Switzerland.
- Local Art: Artists from around Lucerne and the wider region exhibit their work at the market.
- Swiss Cheese: Gruyère and Emmental are some of the most widely known, but hundreds of others exist.
- Wooden Items: Reflecting the Swiss tradition of woodcraft, you can find puzzles, toys and decorative items.
Rudolf’s Christmas Market
A smaller event location on Lucerne’s waterfront district.
Rudolf’s Christmas Market dates: 15th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Inseli Park on the waterfront.
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm. Saturday: 8am to 6pm.
Event Location
For more travel information, I recommend checking out Visit Luzern. It’s designed to provide visitors with practical information, helping them make the most of their trip.
Sustainability Tips
- Accommodation: Lucerne has several hotels that operate using renewable energy sources.
- Food Waste: Be mindful not to over-order.
- Ethical Consumption: Avoid impulse buys and support local producers and makers.
- Food: Choosing vegetarian options can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
- Transport: Lucerne has an excellent public transport system, including buses and boats. You might also consider walking or hiring a bike, as many of Lucerne’s attractions are within a short distance of each other.
If you would like to leave a review, comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.
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