Travel
10 reasons to be in Zurich during the holidays
Bürkliplatz market
Visit this veggetable and flower outdoor market and you won’t know where to turn your head.
You will find everything you need to decorate your house, your table or Christmas tree. You can decide if you want a finished product or a do-it yourself. They sell branches, dried flowers, candles, sculpted wood, pinecones and everything you can think of.
It is located just at the intersection of the Bahnofstrasse and the Zurich lake. Be sure to be there before 11:00 a.m. as it closes punctually on the hour.
When: only opened on Tuesdays and Fridays
Crédit Suisse Christmas tree on Paradeplatz
The Crédit Suisse bank on this famous square has its own Christmas tree. The enormous tree is decorated with many colorful lights mainly in red, white, beige and silver tones. It is quite fascinating, especially at night when the surroundings are lit up.
When: from November 17th through the end of the holiday season
Passage at Paradeplatz
Stroll through the Passage during the months of November and December. It is beautifully decorated with small Christmas trees and red and silver balls. You can enter from the Bahnofstrasse or Paradeplatz, at the Crédit Suisse building.
Jemoli Märlitram and Saint Nikolaus Parade
Kids from age 4 to 10 can take the Santa red tram in the city for a ride. Reserve and buy your tickets at Jemoli ticket counter.
What is it? Märli means fairytale in Swiss German.
In this tram, angels read Christmas stories to the children.
The tram has been bringing the children on short rides for more than 40 years.
When: the Märlitram goes every day from 2p.m. to 7p.m. and from Dec 1st to the 23rd.
On November 29th, children can enjoy the well-known St. Nikolaus Parade dowtown Zurich on the Bahnhofstrasse. It starts at 5p.m. so come early to find a spot. Bring a bag for the candies you will receive from Nikolaus and his helpers!
Sunday shopping in downtown shops and city malls
If you are up to shopping for Christmas gifts on the weekend, it will be possible on Dec 6th and Dec 20th from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Undercover Christmas market at the Zurich train station
Stroll through this wonderful market without having to worry about rain and snow. The main attraction is of course the 49 feet (15m) tall Swarovski tree, holding many lights and crystals. It is best to go there early and during the week as it can be quite crowded. About 15,000 people visit it daily.
When: opened from Nov 27th to Dec 24th in the main hall.
Christmas market in the Old Town
Zürich’s oldest Christmas market is held in the Old Town in Niederdorf
(Hirschenplatz, in Niederdorfstrasse and at Rosenhof)
When: opened from Dec 8 – Dec 23rd
Singing Christmas Tree
There is a platform in shape of a tree near the Bahnofstrasse on Werdmühleplatz. There, every day from Nov 28th through Dec 23rd you can listen to Christmas carols, gospel music and various school and church choirs. More than 1,200 singers will perform.
Hot Marronis (chestnuts) in town
Even if you have been able to find chestnuts huts in town since the middle of October, you wil now see even more of them. And expect longer queues! They are quite popular and nice place to stop to warm up after shopping or a long walk along the lake.
City shop windows and café decorations
It does not matter where you go during this time; you will love the lights and hanging decorations.
Chocolate stores like Sprüngli and cafés like Teuscher have also wonderdully colored shop windows. I can’t stop looking at them when I go downtown.
