Winter brings the Montreux Christmas Market to Switzerland’s loveliest lakeside city. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the quay is illuminated with lights and decorations.
This guide can help you plan your visit with insights into the 2024 event, including confirmed dates and opening times.
Montreux Christmas Market on the Quays of Lake Geneva
Dates and Location – Confirmed
Montreux dates: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed). Verify the schedule here.
Location: Grand Rue.
Opening times:
Market Stalls:
Monday and Tuesday: 11am to 8pm.
Wednesday and Thursday: 11am to 9pm.
Friday: 11am to 10pm.
Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Food Stalls:
Monday and Tuesday: 11am to 10pm.
Wednesday to Friday: 11am to 11pm.
Saturday: 10am to 11pm.
Sunday: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Lights: No switch-on date announced.
Santa: Yes, including the Flying Santa.
Ice skating: Yes.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Reason to visit: Alpine scenery, unique crafts and festive events by Lake Geneva.
Food specialities: Raclette, fondue, pastries and artisan chocolates.
Where to stay: La Rouvenaz is a well-rated hotel 7-minutes from the event.
Convenient Hotels
The busy city centre is a short walk away from the market, making it ideal for winter visitors.
I recommend staying at La Rouvenaz for its excellent location, high standards and reasonable price.
For a look at other regional festive markets, check out my Switzerland Christmas Markets List, which can help you plan a trip filled with Swiss traditions and regional specialities.
Event Location
What to Expect
Montreux hosts one of the largest markets in the region, featuring over 160 decorated chalets. Vendors offer a variety of items, from handmade crafts to local foods.
The Ferris wheel by the lake provides panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. Try local Swiss specialties like raclette, fondue and hot chocolate to stay warm during your visit.
Regional Specialties
- Fondue: The epitome of Swiss comfort food, fondue is a communal dish that brings people together.
- Raclette: Another delicious, cheese-based dish. A wheel of raclette cheese is melted, traditionally over an open fire, and then scraped onto boiled potatoes, gherkins and pickled onions.
- Zopf: A bread commonly eaten for breakfast on Sundays and festive occasions. It’s easily recognisable due to its braided form and golden crust. Its soft and slightly sweet texture pairs well with Swiss cheeses or sweet spreads.
- Lebkuchen: Spiced biscuits that aren’t too sweet.
- Rösti: Originally a breakfast dish from the Swiss-German part of Switzerland, rösti has become a popular accompaniment for many meals or as a snack.
- Roasted Chestnuts: A common sight along the street in winter.
At the Food Stalls
- Vin Chaud: Classic mulled wine made with local reds.
- Swiss Sausages: Each region of Switzerland has its own specialty, from the smoked and richly flavoured Berner sausages to the spicy Luganighe from Ticino.
- Chocolate Fondue: A twist on the classic Swiss fondue, chocolate fondue is a beloved dessert.
- Pain d’épices: A traditional French cake or bread that is moist, dense, and full of flavour.
- Bratwurst: A market staple from Germany.
- Churros: Originally from Spain, churros have become a popular snack at markets around the world.
What to Buy
- Swiss Chocolate: World-renowned for its quality and smoothness. Buy at the stalls or from local artisanal shops.
- Decorations: Unique to this region, there are stalls selling handcrafted decorations, including wooden ornaments and intricately designed snow globes.
- Cheese: Given the region’s love for cheese, you’ll find stalls dedicated to cheese products.
- Local Wine: Switzerland’s vineyards produce some excellent wines, some of which are available at the chalets.
Sustainability Tips
- Green Hotels: The city has several hotels prioritising sustainable practices, including using renewable energy.
- Reduce Food Waste: Although it’s tempting to try everything, try to plan your meals and snacks to reduce food waste.
- Ethical Consumption: Consider supporting local artisans who create handmade, sustainable products.
- Sustainable Diets: During your visit, consider incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet. While Switzerland is famous for its cheese and sausages, Montreux also has a variety of vegetarian options.
- Transport: The area is well-connected by public transport, including trains, buses and ferries.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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