In just a few hours from Milan, you can dive into the unique magic of Zurich’s renowned Christmas Markets. Enjoy the festive spirit as you await Zurich’s spectacular Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, with special deals starting as early as November.
Zurich’s traditional Christmas Markets are filled with the aroma of cinnamon and festive decorations. At the city’s oldest Christmas market in the Niederdorf district or the famous “Christkindlimarkt” inside the Main Station, locals and visitors browse stalls searching for unique treasures.
The highlight of the “Christkindlimarkt” in the Main Hall is the 16-metre-tall Christmas tree, sparkling with about 7,000 shimmering Swarovski crystals.
Zurich Christmas Markets
With Advent, the season of magical Christmas markets begins. You can’t miss the city’s many markets, starting from the “Zürcher Wienachtsdorf” on Sechseläutenplatz. Here, more than a hundred stalls offer “sustainable” gift ideas crafted from recycled materials, plus a wide variety of street food delights.
Late November marks the launch of the city lights and Zurich’s Christmas Markets. Everything kicks off with the switching on of the illuminations along Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s iconic Christmas shopping street, at the heart of the city’s strolls.
Zürcher Christkindlmarkt, the Largest Market
Meanwhile, the Main Station transforms—not because of the usual crowd of travelers, but thanks to the opening of the Zürcher Christkindlmarkt, the city’s largest and most famous Christmas market. It’s the biggest covered Christmas market in Europe, celebrated for its majestic 15-metre spruce adorned with 5,000 Swarovski crystals. With its 160 house-shaped stalls under one roof, it’s the perfect spot to visit no matter how cold it is outside. It shares the limelight with Zurich’s other central market located on Werdmühleplatz.
The atmosphere becomes truly enchanting with the timeless Singing Christmas Tree and the “Wiehnachtsmärt” at Werdmühleplatz, perfect for Christmas shopping with live holiday music. All of this leads up to the city’s festive highlights—Christmas and New Year’s Eve—featuring Switzerland’s largest fireworks show on the lake, organized by Zurich’s hoteliers.
Christkindlmarkt, the Most Historic Market
While the Main Station market is the biggest, the other Christkindlmarkt is the city’s most historic—and cherished by locals for its authentic, time-honored ambiance. Here, along with classic treats, toys, and handcrafts, the festive vibe is truly immersive thanks to Christmas carols sung by both children and adults around the Singing Christmas Tree.
Sechseläuten Platz, an Exclusive Market
Another Christmas market in Zurich is on Sechseläuten Platz: small and intimate, featuring just 15 select stalls with exclusive, unique, and slightly more expensive gift options.
Browsing these stands is free and makes for a perfect getaway not far from Italy—ideal during the Immaculate Conception holiday in Zurich.
While exploring Zurich’s Christmas Markets, don’t miss the floating candles of Lichterschwimmen on the Limmat river, circus shows, the Live on Ice skating rink, the Singing Christmas Tree, Bahnhofstrasse’s twinkling lights, and the Märlitram, a magical tram for kids with Santa Claus driving and an angel telling fairy tales as it tours the city.
Just after you arrive, beside the station in the inner courtyard of the Swiss National Museum Zurich, step into the dazzling world of Illuminarium: a spectacle of lights, illusions, music, and food focused on the legendary creature Yuki.
As you wander fairytale streets and the beautifully-lit old town, don’t miss a break in one of the city’s charming cafés or chocolateries—or for true foodies, a hearty fondue in Frau Gerolds’ winterstube.
Wienachtsdorf Market
Visiting the “Wienachtsdorf” Market on Sechseläutenplatz, in front of the Opera House, feels like stepping into Santa Claus’s living room. Countless inviting stalls and an ice skating rink bring joy to both kids and adults.
Münsterhof Christmas Market
Just steps away, the Münsterhof Christmas Market is set between the Fraumünster Church and charming Old Town buildings—a beautiful setting. Under the motto “from Zurich for Zurich”, locals and visitors find quality regional products from city boutiques.
Christmas Markets Train Deals with Eurocity
Zurich welcomes anyone who loves Christmas magic with special offers like the PROMO MERCATINI fare (available from November), valid for travel between November 22 and December 20, 2018 on 1st and 2nd class Eurocity trains.
The PROMO MERCATINI fare is €25 per leg for 2nd class and €45 for 1st class. Seats are limited, non-refundable, non-changeable, and available up to 3 days before departure at station ticket offices, on www.trenitalia.com (select “Promo Mercatini”) and participating travel agencies.
Zurich’s Christmas by the Numbers
- 7,000 to 10,000 children ride the Märlitram (Fairy Tale Tram) each Christmas season
- 000 LED crystal lights sparkle along Bahnhofstrasse during the holidays
- 1 is the number of the largest indoor market in Europe—the Christmas market at Zurich Main Station
- 000 Swarovski crystals embellish the iconic Christmas tree at the Christkindlimarkt
- 15 metres is the tree’s height
- 5 holiday ice skating rinks across Zurich
- 5 degrees Celsius—the water temperature during the annual Samichlausschwimmen swim
- 6 pm on December 22—when hundreds of colorful candles float down the Limmat
- 80 children perform with the Singing Christmas Tree
