Swiss Christmas Markets

St. Nicholas poses with his donkey and sidekick. (In Switzerland, the saint--not to be confused with Santa Claus--makes his rounds on Dec. 6.)

In Switzerland, Christmas markets are as much a part of the holiday tradition as St. Nicholas pastries, holiday chocolates, butter cookies, and the Z�rich "fairy tale tram" that hauls children up and down the Bahnhofstrasse with St. Nick on board.

Markets vary in scope from the month-long indoor Christkindli Markt in Z�rich's main railroad station to weekend events in smaller towns. Yet all share the same basic themes: Christmas ornaments, gifts, tasty baked goods, hot refreshments like Bratwurst and spiced Gl�hwein, and plenty of traditional Swiss atmosphere.

Some of Switzerland's best-known Christmas markets are in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Montreux, and Z�rich. Most run from late November until Christmas Eve, although a few (such as Montreux and Yverdon-des-Bains) don't begin until early or mid-December.

A number of Swiss Christmas markets have Web pages, and you'll find links to these (along with more information on the markets themselves) on pages 2 and 3. For links to other articles on Christmas markets here at Switzerland & Austria for Visitors and elsewhere, see page 4.

Next Page > Christmas-market links

Swiss Christmas Markets

Introduction Geneva, Z�rich

Basel, Bern Christmas in Austria

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