Bengaluru, December 2018: – What’s Christmas without snow-capped mountains, an open fire place in a cozy wooden chalet, buzzing Christmas markets, sipping the traditional mulled wine, the chill of winter bringing out the warmth in festivities and merry-making? Well, if you’re living in a city that offers you none of the above and you’re a big on Christmas celebrations, head to Switzerland. Its stunning landscapes transform into a lush, carpet of white sprinkled with the warmth of Christmas celebrations that have its own traditions and customs, adding a unique charm to the season. Christmas celebrations start in Switzerland on First Sunday of Advent (this year on 2nd December) and last till Boxing Day on December 26th. One of the biggest attractions of this country that sees enthusiastic travellers from all across the world, are the different, vibrant and colourful Christmas markets that pop up in almost every town and village. These popular markets represent the best of Switzerland’s traditional culture, whether it is in their decorations, other Christmas knick-knacks or food!
Here are the most famous Christmas Markets in the country to indulge in this winter:
- Montreux With its complete fairy-tale ambience, Montreux is home to one of Switzerland’s most beautiful markets. Nestled between steep hills and the lakeside, the town of Montreux sets up over 160 chalets across the promenade to sell a wide variety of handmade Christmas souvenirs and delicacies. Activities at the Chillon Castle take visitors back to the medieval times whereas a special cog-wheel MOB train can give them a ride up to Rochers-de-Naye, located at the peak of the snow-capped Alps to visit the Santa’s House. The main attraction to watch out for is the sound and light show in the Magical Garden and the Village of Elves – a children’s paradise.
- Zurich With quaint Christmas markets, traditional advent concerts and impressive Christmas shows, Switzerland’s largest city – Zurich transforms from a financial hub into an enchanting winter wonderland. From the old town of Niederdörfl and the Opera house in the city, to nearby romantic Rappersvil, every market emanates a wonderful festive mood in the city.
But the one that attracts visitors the most is the Popular Christkindlimart in the central railway station, deemed to be one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. A glittering feature of this market is the 16-metre high Christmas tree which is adorned with more than 7,000 Swarovski crystal ornaments. Additionally Circus Conelly, Switzerland’s first Christmas Circus, and the Singing Christmas Tree make sure you don’t run out of ways to celebrate the season in Zurich.
- Lucerne The Lucerne Christmas Market is a charming affair with a canopy of twinkling Christmas stars and the fragrance of gingerbread, toffees, spices, punch and mulled wine. Every year several talented craftsmen, performers and chefs do a great job by entertaining and feeding visitors from around the world. A dozen of Christmas stalls offer all types of handmade Christmas gifts right from traditional wooden toys and nativity scenes, to cosy knitted hats and scarves and also unique jewellery to delightful candles. To make this an even more festive ambience, a huge advent wreath is placed across the in Franziskanerplatz, at the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town which serves as a striking centrepiece, with hundreds of pretty lights and candles.
While the grown-ups savour a wealth of food and drink offerings, the children make a beeline for the Christmas carousel to the appropriately seasonal music of brass ensembles and choirs.
- Bern Bern offers a cozy and charming festive setting far from all the hustle and bustle. Local artisans offer their unique wares at the the Münsterplatz in front of the Bern Minster, the church with the highest steeple in Switzerland. Serving the best of mulled wine, visitors can take a stroll through the wide collection of collections of arts and crafts and Christmas delicacies.
Walking a few minutes from Bern, families and friends can head to Waisenhausplatz where they can immerse in a make-your-own fondue workshop. The most favourite attraction is in Trubschachen, a 40 minute train ride from Bern where one can savour over 100 different types of Biscuits, at the Kambly experience.
- Basel Basel, arguably has the best and largest Christmas market in all of Switzerland. Running for the whole of the advent period, the quaint markets can be found on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, right in the centre of the city.
Over 180 traders and artisans offer their goods for sale in small, rustic wooden chalets alongside an array of culinary delights featuring waffles, sausages and the typical Basel Läckerli (a kind of gingerbread). A warm glass of the Glühwein mulled wine and raclette (melted cheese) make a great addition to the festive atmosphere. Basel also offers a variety of interesting events and activities for everyone including the Christmas fairy-tale forest, CIRQUE NOËL DE BÂLE Christmas Circus and a musical Advent door opened each day at the Basel theatre.
- Lausanne
Festival of Lights
The Festival Lausanne Lumières is back with its seventh edition. Running all through the town, artists from Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands use the theme of light to showcase their bold and poetic artworks works through different projections and sculptures, giving visitors a chance to discover Lausanne under a different light. The best part? Entry to the festival is totally free.
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-in/events/event-575487902.html
Bô Noël Christmas Market
Adding a unique festive air to every part of Lausanne, the Bô Noël Christmas market runs through the four Advent weeks. Close to its traditions but resolutely modern, designers, winegrowers and terroir producers enliven the three distinct venues surrounding the market. On Place St-Francois, people can browse through the large covered market and unwind to occasional concerts in the evening. At Place Pépinet, they can experiment with winter fashion exhibited by the town’s local designers. Under the arcs of Grand-Pont, at the Bô Caveau, families and friends can interact with winegrowers from different regions, helping them choose the perfect wine to accompany their New Year’s eve. Children can also indulge in Christmas magic through fairy tales and games at the Children’s Village followed by a visit to Bo-Father Christmas.
