Bremgarten Christmas Market 2023 and Christchindlimärt

The Bremgarten Christmas Market truly animates the city, bustling with stalls that brim with handcrafted gifts, Swiss delicacies and seasonal delights.

This guide details all the information you’ll need for planning your visit in 2023, from confirmed market dates and opening times to locations, the best Christmas stalls and notable local specialities.

Bremgarten truly sparkles as Christmas descends, illuminating the city with twinkling lights and instilling a sense of warmth despite the winter chill. This Christmas market and Christchindlimärt, known locally as Weihnachtsmarkt, is in its 28th year.

Bremgarten Christmas Market 2023

You’ll find the charm of the Christmas market in Bremgarten within the heart of the city, with an incredible 320 rows of Christmas chalets weaving through its historic streets.

Local craftspeople display their wares, giving you a chance to browse unique, handcrafted gifts while the tantalising aroma of traditional Swiss cuisine wafts through the crisp air.

Of particular note is the antique carousel, a dazzling whirl of colour and lights enjoyed by young and old alike.

Dates and Location

Bremgarten Christmas Market dates: 7th to 10th December 2023.
Location: Marktgasse.
Opening times: Thursday: 1:30pm to 10pm. Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm. Sunday: 11:am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
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: Ancient streets lined with festive stalls; handcrafted gifts unique to Bremgarten; traditional Swiss cuisine; a twinkling carousel ride.
Specialities: Swiss fondue; raclette; Zopf bread; lebkuchen; Bündner Nusstorte; Swiss hot chocolate.
Where to stay: Sonne Living-Bremgarten is a highly-rated hotel 4- minutes from the Christmas market.

Hotels near Bremgarten Christmas Market

The Christmas market takes place across several streets and squares in the Old Town. If you can find somewhere to stay in this area, you’ll be well-placed to experience the best of the city this winter.

Sonne Living-Bremgarten is a great choice as it puts right in the heart of the action.

Location of Bremgarten Christmas Market

Christmas in Bremgarten

This video provides an overview of what to expect at the Bremgarten Christmas Market.

To help you plan your festive trip across Switzerland, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide featuring the best Christmas markets in Switzerland in 2023.

Christmas Specialties in Bremgarten

Swiss Fondue: A warm and comforting dish, Swiss fondue involves melting a mix of Swiss cheeses such as Gruyère and Emmental. Once melted, it’s served in a communal pot over a portable stove, and you’ll dip crusty bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. A staple of Swiss cuisine, it’s especially enjoyed during winter.

Raclette: Similar to fondue, raclette is another Swiss cheese dish that’s perfect for the chilly winter weather. It features a wheel of raclette cheese that’s melted and then scraped onto boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions. It’s a hearty meal that’s simple yet delicious.

Zopf Bread: A popular bread in Switzerland, Zopf is a type of Swiss bread that’s braided before it’s baked, giving it a distinctive appearance. It tastes slightly sweet and is usually served with butter or jam.

Lebkuchen: These are traditional Swiss gingerbread cookies, often found at Christmas markets. They are richly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and have a robust, hearty flavour. Decorated with icing and sometimes even embossed with images or phrases, they are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

Bündner Nusstorte: Originating from the canton of Graubünden, Bündner Nusstorte is a sweet, nut-filled pastry. The filling is a delicious mixture of sugar, cream, and chopped walnuts, enclosed within a shortcrust pastry. It’s traditionally baked in a round or square form and is often served with coffee.

Swiss Hot Chocolate: No Swiss Christmas would be complete without a steaming cup of Swiss hot chocolate. It’s a delightfully rich and indulgent beverage made with high-quality Swiss chocolate and creamy milk. It’s sometimes topped with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of decadence.

Food at the Christmas Market

Bratwurst: A classic market snack, Bratwurst is a German-style sausage that has found its way into the hearts of the Swiss. Grilled to perfection and served in a crusty roll, it’s the ideal handheld treat as you explore the market stalls.

Roasted Chestnuts: You’re likely to catch the smell of roasted chestnuts wafting through the air at Bremgarten’s Christmas market. A winter favourite, these are cooked over hot coals until their shells split, revealing the sweet, nutty flesh within. A paper bag full of these warm treats is perfect for a chilly evening.

Pretzels: A universal Christmas market snack, the pretzel is a favourite in Bremgarten. These twisted knots of dough are either salted or coated with sesame seeds and baked until golden. It’s a simple snack that’s wonderfully satisfying.

Glühwein: No Christmas market is complete without Glühwein, a warm, spiced wine that’s typically served during the festive season. It’s made with red wine, heated and spiced with ingredients like cloves, star anise, and cinnamon, and sweetened with sugar. A mug of Glühwein is just the thing to keep you toasty as you wander the market, and you can keep the mug as a souvenir.

Grittibänz: This Swiss bread man is particularly popular during the Advent season. Traditionally, it’s a sweet bread roll shaped like a little man, often adorned with raisins for eyes and buttons. Kids especially love these delightful treats.

Stollen: This traditional German Christmas cake is also popular in Switzerland. Dense and rich, Stollen is a fruit bread filled with nuts, spices, dried or candied fruit, and often marzipan. It’s dusted with powdered sugar to mimic the look of a snowy winter landscape, making it a festive favourite.

What to Buy

Handcrafted Christmas Decorations: You’ll find stalls displaying intricately crafted Christmas decorations, from hand-painted baubles to wooden nativity scenes. Each piece is often made by local artisans, capturing the spirit of Swiss craftsmanship and festive tradition.

Swiss Chocolates: Swiss chocolates make for a delightful gift or personal indulgence. Market stalls present a wide selection of these decadent sweets, ranging from milk and dark chocolates to those filled with nuts or caramel. Consider picking up a box or two to share with loved ones.

Cheese Knives: Given Switzerland’s love for cheese, it’s no surprise that cheese knives are popular. These tools, often beautifully crafted with wooden handles, are perfect for easily slicing through a block of Swiss cheese.

Cuckoo Clocks: A nod to the craftsmanship and tradition of the region, cuckoo clocks are a charming item you might find. These time-telling novelties, often hand-carved and painted, can serve as a unique keepsake or gift.

Swiss Cookbooks: For food enthusiasts, a Swiss cookbook might catch your eye. These books offer a collection of traditional Swiss recipes, from cheese fondue to Zopf bread, enabling you to bring a taste of Switzerland back home.

For all the information you might need during your visit to Bremgarten, consider checking out their local site, which provides a wealth of local knowledge and useful resources.

Sustainable Christmas Tips

Many of us are increasingly concerned about climate change and sustainability. Here are a few tips on how we can travel more responsibly in Bremgarten at Christmas.

• Choose Renewable Energy Accommodations: When booking your stay in Bremgarten, consider choosing accommodation that uses renewable energy sources. For instance, Sonne Living-Bremgarten, located near the Christmas market, uses solar panels to generate electricity, aligning your visit with a more sustainable approach.
• Minimise Food Waste: As you savour the festive treats at Bremgarten’s Weihnachtsmarkt, it’s essential to be mindful of food waste. Choose portion sizes wisely, and if you’re sampling the local specialities, consider sharing a dish with your travel companions to avoid leftovers.
• Practice Ethical Consumption: When purchasing gifts and products at the market, be conscious of your buying decisions. Opt for items made by local artisans to support the local economy and prefer goods produced using sustainable materials and methods, like handcrafted decorations or Swiss chocolates from small-scale producers.
• Adopt a Sustainable Diet: Keeping your diet sustainable is possible even during holiday indulgence. Swiss vegetarian options such as raclette, made from locally sourced cheese and served with seasonal vegetables, provide a less resource-intensive alternative to meat dishes.
• Use Sustainable Transport: Bremgarten is well-connected by public transport, including trains and buses. To reduce your carbon footprint, consider utilising these modes of transportation for your commute. If the weather permits, the town is also walkable, letting you enjoy the winter scenery while being environmentally friendly.

FAQ

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Bremgarten, Switzerland. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.