Christmas in Zurich and Zug
Winter night in Zurich
While it does feel a bit early to be writing about Christmas, we are now half -way through November, most of the ski resorts have opened and we can see snow on the mountains and I can definitely feel the Christmas spirit coming alive, so perhaps it’s time to divulge a few Zurich and Zug Christmas secrets.
Zurich and Zug are beautiful during the Christmas period with Christmas markets, concerts, sunday sales and night shopping as well as events like santa swimming and advent concerts so I thought I would give you a little run down.
ZURICH
Christmas Markets
Christmas market in the Niederdorf : The oldest Christmas market in Zurich is held every year in the “lower village” in old town. The market stalls are located next to central Niederdorfstrasse. The Christmas market during advent season is a must in this picture perfect location of cobbled streets, even if it’s just a stroll to see all the market stands and to taste the mulled wine.
Opening times: 24th November – 23rd December.
Monday to Saturday: 11.00 to 21.00
Sunday: 11.00 to 19.00
Address: Niederdorfstrasse, 8001 Zurich
Christkindlimarkt in Central Station: This is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. Over 150 stalls, mulled wine and a 15-meter-high Christmas tree decorated in Swarovski crystals transform Zurich main station to a winter wonderland.
Opening times: 23rd November – 24th December
Sunday to Wednesday: 10.30 to 21.00
Thursday to Saturday: 10.30 to 22.00
Address: Hauptbahnhof Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Christmas Carols Tree and Market: The market at Werdmuhleplatz is the youngest market in the city. On a beautifully decorated stage in the form of a Christmas tree daily evening concerts from choirs from the region make it feel like Christmas every day. Again this is a market not to be missed.
Opening times: 24th November – 23rd December
Christmas market
Monday to Thursday 4.00pm – 9.00pm
Friday 4.00pm – 10.00pm
Saturday 1.00pm – 10.00pm
Sunday 1.00pm – 9.00pm
Choir performances
Monday to Friday 5.30pm / 6.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm / 3.30pm / 5.30pm / 6.30pm
Address: Werdmuhleplatz, 8001 Zurich
Zurich Christmas Market Bellevue –This fabulous Christmas market has over 100 stalls and is located right in front of the Opera House in Bellevue. What makes this market so special is the ice skating rink in front of the Opera house and the fondue Stübli in the Chalet by the Christmas tree.
Opening times: 24th November – 23rd December 2015
Monday to Saturday 11am – 10pm
Sunday 11am – 8pm
Address: Sechselaeutenplatz in front of the Opera House
Christmas Shopping
Christmas lights and Night Shopping: On the 24th November the pre-Christmas shopping starts with the switching on of the Christmas lights at Bahnhofstrasse at 18.00 and then night shopping till 22.00. Night shopping should not be missed on the 24th as many shops have festive events either inside or outside which include free mulled wine, concerts and other festive events.
Sunday sales in Advent: On 3 Sundays many shops in the centre of Zurich are open. The dates for these are:
Sunday, 27 November, 2016: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday, 4 December, 2016: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday, 18 December, 2016: 11.00am – 6.00pm.
New Year Shopping: Even though the 2nd of January is a holiday in Zurich many of the shops are open in the city. The shops will close at 20.00 on the 2nd.
Events
Unique events make Christmas magical in Zurich. There are Christmas events on almost every day from the 17th November till the New Year.
Christmas Circus Conelli: 17th November – 31st December
Top acrobatics, poetry, comedy and musical delights make this a must visit event with the family, friends and loved ones.
Christmas Procession: 27th November at 17.00
The procession travels from Werdmuhleplatz to Buerkliplatz. The parade celebrates the arrival of “Santa Claus”. The parade is led by a bishop with many children dressed up as Santa’s helpers.
Musical Advent Calendar: December 1st – December 23rd
At the Zurich Opera house, there is a free concert every day at 17.30 for 15 minutes. Its free to watch and they sing both well and lesser known music to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Santa Claus swim: 4th December –Zurich Schiffslande
This is the 2nd largest winter swim in Switzerland and is limited to 350 entries so book early to get your place. hallo@limmatschwimmen.ch
Zurich Silvesterlauf: 11th December at 12.00
For those who like to keep fit (and stave off the effects of the mince pies) before the festive season really starts this is the perfect event. A traditional fun run though the old town of Zurich. Various distances ranging from 1.4 to 8.6 km are available.
Lichterschwimmen: 22nd December at 18.00
Floating candles are sent from Stadthausquai on a Christmas journey. At Weinplatz, Zurich tourism offers guests warm punch and something sweet between 17.00 and 19.00.
Christmas Nativity: 25th November to 8th January.
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – 10.00 to 17.00
Thursday – 10.00 to 19.00
The national museum in Zurich presents a selection of nativity scenes. This is very popular with parents as its great entertainment for the kids. The event happens at the Swiss National Museum, Museum Street 2, 8001 Zurich.
I hope that gives you a good insight into the goings on in Zurich during the Christmas break, particularly if you have friends and family to entertain.
Zug
Christmas Market
Klausmarkt mit Kinderattraktion: With over 70 stands and entertainment for the kids this is a great market to visit in Zug. Its on for 1 day on the 27th of November from 09.00 to 18.00 at Landsgemeindeplatz, Zug.
Einsiedein Market: Even though it’s not in Zug, this market is the biggest in central Switzerland. Its located right by the monastery and with amazing decorations, Christmas carols, market stands and so much more, this is best authentic market in Switzerland and is set in such a stunning location.
Opening times: 26th November – 4th December
Sunday to Thursday: 11.00 to 19.30
Friday and Saturday: 11.00 to 21.00
Events
Fairy Tale Sunday in Zug: 4th December 14.00 – 18.00
This is an enchanting Christmas event for all ages in Zug. Zug’s old town is turned into a wonderland for a day with fairies, storytellers, magicians, witches and Gnomes.
There are pony rides, refreshments, delightful food treats, fair ground rides, live music and much much more.
The event comes to a climax at 17.30pm when the St. Nicholases convene with the cowbell ringers, whip crackers, jesters, magicians and fairy tale figures at the Landesgemeindeplatz to bring Fairy tale Sunday to a close with a spectacular fireworks display.
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