End of the year in the city

Christmas and New Year in the city

Beautiful old towns, Christmas markets ranging from dreamy to sophisticated, a diverse cultural offering and culinary delights of a very high standard; not to mention the many roasted chestnut stands. Swiss cities currently offer all this and much more. You can forget about Paris, London or New York. And because you can stay cheaply in our hostels, you'll have more money left over for shopping or mulled wine.

Christmas and New Year's Eve in Lucerne

Spend the most beautiful time of the year in the charming city on Lake Lucerne. Find out here what Lucerne has to offer in the run-up to Christmas and on New Year's Eve.

Reasons to visit Lucerne now

  • Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt

    The beautiful Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt, or Lucerne Christmas market, will again take place on Franziskanerplatz this year

    Let yourself be enchanted

  • Lucerne Christmas and Handicrafts Market (Luzerner Weihnachts- und Handwerksmarkt)

    Unique handmade products are lovingly displayed and sold at this Christmas market

    To the market

  • Rudolf’s Christmas Market

    In the midst of the idyllic scenery of the park and with a view of Lake Lucerne, you will find culinary diversity among the many chalets. And Christmas shopping with changing design and crafts exhibitors

    To the winter fun

  • Rudolf's Christmas Spectacle (Rudolfs Weihnachtsspektakel)

    Foodies beware – Christmas culture meets culinary delights from near and far at this Christmas market

    To Rudolf

  • Schweizerhof Christmas Market (Schweizerhof-Weihnachtsmarkt)

    The Hotel Schweizerhof hosts the traditional Christmas market on Advent Sundays – the ideal place for creative handicrafts from the region.

    Visit now

  • Bruchweihnachten

    This Christmas market is located a little outside the centre. Nevertheless, it has become a popular meeting place in the run-up to Christmas.

    Explore now

  • Christbaummarkt

    Find the perfect Christmas tree at the Christbaummarkt right on the shores of Lake Lucerne

    To the Christbaummarkt

Lucerne by train

Travel to Lucerne in comfort by public transport and benefit from a 30% discount on public transport and a 30% discount on a glass of mulled wine or punch at Lucerne’s Franziskanerplatz, including a cup and a slice of stollen. Stay overnight at our youth hostel in the wonderful city on Lake Lucerne and travel home just as relaxed.

To the RailAway offer

Outside area Lucerne Youth Hostel
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Reasons to visit Montreux now

  • Montreux Noël

    The Christmas market in Montreux offers events and activities for all ages around the traditional Christmas market, which stretches along the quay, magnificently illuminated and decorated.

    Montreux Noël

  • Santa Claus's House

    Santa Claus has had his home on the heights of Rochers-de-Naye at 2042 metres for 20 years. There he waits for his little visitors.

    Santa Claus's House

  • Christmas at Chillon Castle

    The forest of fir trees in the castle is a feast for the eyes at Christmas. You can prepare for the festive season together with the castle's inhabitants. Dances and workshops round off the experience.

    Christmas at Chillon Castle

Montreux by train

Travel in comfort by public transport to Montreux and benefit from 50% off public transport with the RailAway offer and receive a voucher to redeem at the Montreux Nöel. Spend the night in our youth hostel and travel back home just as chilled. Have fun on the marvellous Riviera.

To the RailAway offer

Restaurant Montreux Youth Hostel
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Basel Xmas and New Year's Eve

Basel has so many delights to offer all year round and becomes even more resplendent during Advent. Discover one of Switzerland’s most traditional Christmas markets. And speaking of tradition... our youth hostel is situated in the enchanting St. Alban district within the walls of a former silk mill. The hostel preserves the area's rich history while providing modern comfort and convenience.

Reasons to visit Basel now

  • Basel Christmas Market

    Basel's Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is considered one of the largest and most beautiful in Switzerland. See for yourself!

    To the Basel Christmas market

  • Advent alley in «Glaibasel»

    Are you looking for a Christmas market that celebrates cheerfulness, warming encounters and cosy get-togethers, but certainly doesn't sell junk? Then the Adventsgasse in Kleinbasel is the right place for you!

    Advent alley in Glaibasel (in German)

  • Christmas ferries

    For a little (calorie-free) time out, take a seat on one of the four Rhine ferries, which are transformed into atmospheric Christmas ferries during the festive season and ferry you from one bank of the Rhine to the other.

    To the Christmas ferries

Basel by train

Travel to Basel in comfort by public transport and benefit from the RailAway offer of 30% on public transport as well as a voucher for a Sternbiber filled with almonds. Enjoy the Christmas markets in this fantastic city on the bend of the Rhine, spend the night in our youth hostel and travel home just as chilled.

To the RailAway offer

Outside view and olt town Basel Youth Hostel
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Blog: Our tips for Xmas markets

We love the Christmas season! And we love strolling through the various Christmas markets, taking in the scent of mulled wine, spices and raclette, and dreaming about all the things on offer. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for you here.

To the blog post «Xmas markets in Switzerland»

Fondue & raclette by the lake

From mid-November to mid-December, enjoy a typical Swiss fondue or raclette with a view of Lake Zurich in the cosily furnished tent at Richterwil Youth Hostel.

All information about the fondue on the lake

Christmas and New Year's Eve in Zurich

In the run-up to Christmas, as well as at Christmas and New Year's Eve, the city of Zurich radiates its own very special magic. Find out here what you can experience and be inspired.

Great reasons to visit Zurich right now

  • Christmas markets

    Whether the oldest Zurich Christmas market, the "Wienachtsdorf" or the "Christkindlimarkt", Zurich's Christmas markets make everyone’s heart beat faster.

    To the Zurich Christmas markets

  • Iluminarum

    For once, a somewhat different Christmas experience in the Winter Wonderland at the Swiss National Museum.

    To the lights

  • Candle making

    The pre-Christmas tradition that should never be missed. The candle making event has been taking place on Bürkliplatz since 1969.

    To the candle making

  • Lucy

    The thousands of light crystals in the city centre are affectionately called "Lucy" in Zurich.

    Let yourself be enchanted

  • The singing Christmas tree

    A Christmas market for the ears. Get excited about the daily concerts here
    To the Christmas tree

    To the Christmas tree

  • Fairytale Tram (Märlitram)

    There's no better way for children to enjoy the magic of Advent than a festive tram ride on the Märlitram. As you journey around the city, you get to enjoy captivating Christmas stories told by charming angels – an experience that’s certain to delight people of all ages.

    To the Märlitram

  • Circus Conelli

    Since 1992, the Christmas circus has been welcoming its visitors to Zurich during advent.

    To the circus

Outside area and house Zurich Youth Hostel
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Lausanne Xmas and New Year

Lausanne is always worth a visit for the picturesque vineyards and the excellent wines that come from them, as well as the fantastic lake view. During the Christmas season, there are also many highlishgts.

Great reasons to visit Lausanne right now

  • Bô Noël - Christmas market in Lausanne

    Discover the dreamy side of Lausanne until 31 December. Markets, local delicacies and pop-up bars will make the time fly by.

    Bô Noël

  • Fondue in the giant caquelon

    The heated Belvedere tent of the Mondial de Fondue is an experience per se. And the giant fondue pot, a real eye-catcher.

    Belvédère du Mondial de fondue

  • Pferdekutschenfahrt

    Was entschleunigt mehr, als die Fahrt mit einer Pferdekutsche? Dazu kannst du einen Apéro oder ein Fondue geniessen. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis!

    Zu den Kutschenfahrten

Outside view and entrance Lausanne Youth Hostel
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