Zurich’s Christmas Market is a highlight of any winter visit to Switzerland’s largest city. Set in the historic old town near Lake Zurich, it offers a festive atmosphere with snow-capped mountains in the background.
This guide provides the 2024 dates and essential information for planning your visit.
Zurich Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Zurich Christmas Market dates: 21st November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in April. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office, available here.
Note: The following details are for the markets in the central Niederdorf district. Scroll down for details on the other markets.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Niederdorf district in the Old Town.
Grossmünster
Hirschenplatz
Mühlegasse
Stüssihofstatt
Niederdorfstrasse
Zwingliplatz
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm.
Sunday: 11am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: This city tour is a fun and popular way to take in the highlights.
Public transport: Trams are the most convenient way to get around.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Parkhaus Urania is the most central parking garage.
Travel tips: Switzerland can be very expensive. If you’re on a budget, consider shopping at the indoor food markets to prepare a some delicious meals for a reasonable price. Look for affordable street food options as you wander the old town.
Where to stay: Ruby Mimi Hotel is a stylish, yet affordable, centrally located hotel.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: Yes.
Reason to visit: The mountain and lakeside landscapes and the Swarovski tree.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: All kinds of fondue, Swiss raclette, local handmade chocolate, artisan bakeries.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
One of the most affordable boutique hotels is the Ruby Mimi Hotel. It’s bright, comfortable and exceptionally well-located. It is excellent value for money and is my top pick.
As there are several nice areas to stay in, I’ve written a guide to hotels in Zurich that are near each of the markets.
Recommended Tours
I recommend this city tour of Zurich where a local guide takes you around many of the city’s highlights, such as Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich and Grossmünster Cathedral. This is a particularly good tour if you’re visiting for the first time.
Alternatively, you might consider taking this food tour which includes food tastings and sightseeing.
Read our Switzerland Christmas Markets List for ideas on where to go in the rest of the country.
Location of Niederdorf
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
List of Other Markets
Opera House: 21st November to 24th December (confirmed). Full details here.
Wienachtsdorf on Sechseläutenplatz, next to the Opera House and Lake Zurich. A large market with 120 stalls and a large Christmas tree at its centre point. Note that this is a cashless market.
Münsterhof: 21st November to 24th December (confirmed). Full details here.
At the pretty Münsterhof square near Münster Bridge, specialising in regional products designed or manufactured in Zurich or the surrounding region.
Zurich Train Station: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed). Full details here.
Christkindlimarkt is an indoor market at Zürcher Hauptbahnhof.
Singing Market: 21st November to 23rd December (confirmed). Full details here (in German).
Weihnachtsmarkt at Werdmühleplatz is known for the Singing Christmas Tree, a choir performance by local children.
Bahnhofstrasse: The Christmas lights are located along Zurich’s famous shopping street.
What to Expect
Zurich has plenty to keep you occupied during a winter visit. Locals enjoy skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in the nearby mountains. Tourists can easily join in.
If winter sports aren’t your thing, the city has excellent excellent museums, gourmet dining, indoor markets, spas and hammams. If the weather is clear, a walk around Lake Zurich is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Zurich’s seasonal events begin in late November and run until New Year’s Eve. The Christkindlimarkt, held inside the central train station, is the largest, while the market in Niederdorf is the oldest.
If you’re planning a visit, start in Niederdorf, explore the markets at Mühlegasse and Hirchenplatz, and finish at Grossmünster, where you’ll find fondue stands and Swiss raclette.
The Christkindlimarkt is known for its Swarovski tree, a 16-metre-high tree adorned with 7,000 crystals.
Regional Specialties
- Raclette: This dish originates from Switzerland and is hugely popular around Europe. Named after the cheese used in the recipe, it involves melting raclette cheese and scraping it onto boiled potatoes, pickles and onions.
- Zürcher Eintopf: An authentic Zurich bean and vegetable stew.
- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: A traditional dish comprising thinly sliced veal cooked in a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce, served with rösti.
- Tirggel: Traditional Christmas biscuits from Zurich.
At the Food Stalls
- Bratwurst and Rösti: Bratwurst sausages served alongside a golden brown Rösti are a classic street food option.
- Swiss Fondue: Tuck into a warm, gooey Swiss cheese fondue.
- Glühwein: Classic mulled wine.
- Roasted Chestnuts: Roasted chestnuts are an iconic street food in winter.
- Stollen: Originally from Dresden in Germany, Stollen is a fruit-filled bread dusted with icing sugar.
What to Buy
- Swiss Chocolate: You know you won’t be able to resist.
- Wooden Toys: These make for wonderful, long-lasting gifts for children and collectors.
- Swiss Cheese: The market also offers a variety of Swiss cheese. Many vendors offer samples so you can try them before you buy.
- Ornaments: To add a Swiss touch to your tree, look for stalls selling locally-made ornaments. These might include miniature Swiss chalets, alpine animals, or other designs inspired by the local culture and landscapes.
- Candles: Artisan candles and homewares are available.
- Clothing: You’ll likely encounter stalls selling warm winter items such as woollen hats, gloves, and scarves.
Sustainability Tips
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
If you have any questions regarding your visit or would like to know more about visiting Zurich or elsewhere in Switzerland in winter, please leave a comment below.
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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.
I have 3 extra days in Zurich after doing a Christmas Market tour. Thinking about the Zurich train, Basel and even trying to venture to Straussbourg. After awhile, many markets look the same – can you tell me of any specific markets that specialize in handcrafted items?
Each of the markets typically have handcrafted items from the local region. I wouldn’t pick a destination based on its Christmas market, I would choose a place that interests you more generally and treat the market as something to see while you’re there. Strasbourg is a beautiful city so it’s definitely a great choice but given you only have 3 days, I think you would be better off staying in Switzerland rather than losing time travelling further away.
Hi, we will be in Switzerland from Dec 3 to 9 , we will be visiting Zermatt and Interlaken. Is it worth buying the Swiss Travel Pass? We’ve been doing our research and seems everyone saying to get one. It’s pretty pricey so we’re having second thought of buying it.Maybe you can give us good suggestion? Thank you for your time and looking forward to hear from you.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with that particular part of Switzerland. Maybe ask the Swiss or Interlaken tourist offices.