Christmas in Switzerland is one of the most atmospheric times to see the country: snow on the mountains, old towns lit up, Christmas markets full of mulled wine and raclette, and a quiet, family-focused celebration on Christmas Eve. I grew up with it in Solothurn, but this year I got to experience it fresh again, through the eyes of my Chinese girlfriend on her first ever Christmas in Europe.
Curious how the other side of my Christmases looks? Read how Japan celebrates Christmas, with KFC, illuminations and markets.
This is both a guide to Swiss Christmas traditions and the story of how we actually spent the holidays, from cutting our own tree in the forest and melting cheese for fondue to a white Christmas, candlelit valleys and a few day trips around the country. If you want to know what a Swiss Christmas really feels like, here is the honest version.
Swiss Christmas Traditions: What to Expect
The Swiss Christmas season really begins with Advent in early December. Towns fill with WeihnachtsmĂ€rkte (Christmas markets), the biggest in Basel, Zurich, Bern, Lucerne and lakeside Montreux, where you wander between wooden stalls with a cup of GlĂŒhwein (mulled wine), roasted chestnuts and handmade gifts.
On 6 December, Samichlaus (the Swiss Saint Nicholas) visits children with his helper Schmutzli, handing out peanuts, mandarins and chocolate, often with a GrittibÀnz, a sweet bread shaped like a little man. It is separate from Christmas itself and a childhood highlight for most Swiss people.
The main celebration is Heiligabend, Christmas Eve on 24 December. Families gather at home around a real tree, traditionally decorated and lit only that evening, exchange presents and share a special meal. Fondue chinoise, thin slices of meat cooked in hot broth, is one of the most popular Christmas Eve dishes, alongside cheese fondue and raclette on the colder days around it.
In the weeks before, Swiss kitchens fill with Guetzli, Christmas biscuits like MailÀnderli, Brunsli and Zimtsterne. A white Christmas is almost guaranteed in the mountains, while in the lower towns snow is a lucky bonus. Here is how all of that played out over our own Christmas in Switzerland.
Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree: A Swiss Tradition
The first day of our Christmas in Switzerland adventure began with a tradition that feels deeply rooted in my childhood. We headed straight into the forest to pick out our Christmas tree. And yes, it was completely legal, since many Swiss regions allow families to cut a designated tree during the holiday season. Walking into the quiet forest felt like entering a winter storybook. The air was crisp, the ground covered with soft leaves and patches of frost, and the tall trees created a natural cathedral of calm.
For my girlfriend, this was something entirely new. She had never picked a Christmas tree directly from the forest before, and watching her look around with curiosity and excitement made the moment even more special. She touched the branches, examined the needles, and kept saying how peaceful and beautiful the forest felt. It was one of those simple experiences that become unforgettable because of the person you share it with.
Finding the right tree was a small adventure on its own. We walked through the woods comparing shapes and sizes until we finally agreed on the perfect one. Cutting it down together felt symbolic, like creating our first shared Christmas memory in Switzerland. Carrying the fresh tree back out of the forest, surrounded by silence and the smell of pine, set the tone for the entire holiday. It was the perfect beginning to her first European Christmas and a moment I will always treasure.
Fondue and Raclette: Swiss Christmas Comfort Food
Later that evening, we introduced her to Swiss fondue. I was genuinely surprised that she liked it. We dipped pieces of bread into rich, melted cheese from a local shop, and it was clear she enjoyed the warmth and flavor. It was a completely new culinary experience for her, which made it even more fun to share.
Since I live in Japan, I sometimes miss Switzerland, so I cook Swiss dishes for her at home. We often make raclette together, and recently I even prepared Einback, a Swiss take on French toast. Sharing these meals has become a small way to bring a bit of Switzerland into our everyday life.
Swiss Cats: Love Them or Face Them
Switzerland is a country that absolutely adores cats, and they seem to be everywhere! My girlfriend, however, was a little apprehensive around cats, especially after her experience at the Halloween Cat Festival (as I mentioned in my previous blog). But there was no escaping it, she had to feed our cat, Caramel. Caramel is a cat with a personality, and she reminds me of Crookshanks from Harry Potter, only cuter and, dare I say, a bit like Garfield. My girlfriend was nervous at first, but by the end of her stay, she warmed up to her and even enjoyed Caramelâs company (not really).
A Swiss Christmas Party in Zurich
The second day was equally filled with joy and new experiences. My brother and cousin organized an “Abschaumig” Christmas celebration in Zurich, which included an art course where we had to draw our partners. Iâm not great at art, but it was a fun experience nonetheless. We laughed, shared stories, and created some truly hilarious artwork. See my artist skill by yourself:
Here you can book this amazing Art Expirience:
In the evening, we dined at Restaurant Linde in Zurich. The staff was young and lively, and the atmosphere was both fancy and welcoming. We had Cordon Bleu for our main course, and for the first time, my girlfriend tried French-style tartare as a starter. She was hesitant at first, but ended up enjoying it!
A White Christmas in Solothurn
The next day, we woke up to a beautiful white Christmas in Switzerland, something that rarely happens in my hometown of Solothurn (it only snows on Christmas about three to five times in my lifetime). My girlfriend was absolutely thrilled, and we took advantage of the snow by heading to Restaurant Sternen in Solothurn, where we enjoyed the famous “pizza” (which is more like a cake), and it was incredibly affordable.
Urs and Viktor (Story of St. Ursen Cathedral)
The story of Urs and Viktor is a tragic legend from Solothurn. According to the tale, they were part of the Theban Legion and fled from the massacre in Agaunum (today Saint-Maurice) to Solothurn. There, they were captured and sentenced to death by the governor. During their execution, they were beheaded, and their bodies and heads fell into the Aare River.
The story of Urs and Viktor is a tragic legend from Solothurn. According to the tale, they were part of the Theban Legion and fled from the massacre in Agaunum (today Saint-Maurice) to Solothurn. There, they were captured and sentenced to death by the governor. During their execution, they were beheaded, and their bodies and heads fell into the Aare River.
Legend has it that the bodies, carrying their heads under their arms, swam to the shore, where they walked onto land and were buried there. This tale is deeply embedded in the history and culture of Solothurn and is still honored in the city today. The St. Ursen Cathedral in Solothurn is dedicated to Saint Ursus and supposedly houses his relics.
The European Döner Experience
We then went on to try a classic European döner, specifically the German-style döner. Japan has its own version of the döner, but itâs more of a cabbage and meat combo. European döner is loaded with fresh veggies, a better sauce, and a bit more spice, and my girlfriend couldnât believe the difference!
Building a Snowman
On one of the evenings, we decided to make the most of the snow and built a snowman in our garden. It felt like a scene out of a Christmas movie, and I couldnât help but think how lucky we were to have snow during the holidays in Switzerland.
Cooking Mapo Tofu and Christmas Preparations
One of the highlights of our stay was when we cooked Mapo Tofu together. My father, in his usual fashion, bought Italian rice to go with the dish, which didnât quite pair well, but we had a good laugh about it.
We also took the time to prepare the Christmas tree, a moment that was especially meaningful for my girlfriend, as she is Christian. The experience of setting up the tree together felt like a beautiful blend of our cultures and traditions.
Sledging and a Secret Candlelit Christmas Eve Tradition
We spent a day in Balmberg sledging, my girlfriendâs first time, and she absolutely loved it. We even took a quick trip to Solothurn, where thereâs a secret Christmas tradition. On Christmas Eve, people gather in a valley, lighting candles, creating a spiritual and peaceful atmosphere. While the name of the location is kept secret for tourism reasons, I can assure you itâs an experience worth seeking if you ever find it.
“My treasure? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. I left everything I own in one place. Now you just have to find it. I left the worldâs greatest treasure. I left it all in one place. Now you just have to find it. The great Pirate Kingâs treasure. Go and find it! I dare you to!” – Gol D. Roger
Day Trip to Bern
We also visited Bern, where my girlfriend wanted to see the famous Einstein Haus. Unfortunately, it was closed for construction, but we were able to visit the Einstein Closet at ETH, a small but iconic place, especially popular among Chinese tourists on the Red Note app (with the Chinese name noted there).
Discovering Einstein’s Closet at ETH Zurich: An Inspiring Glimpse into Genius
Interlaken Adventures: A Bit of Trouble with the Car
Our trip to Interlaken took an unexpected turn when our car broke down, preventing us from heading to MĂŒrren. But we didnât let that stop us! The next day, we went sledging instead. My girlfriend had dreams of seeing the Jungfrau, but the cost of going up was a bit prohibitive (around $400 per person), so we decided it was better to enjoy the stunning view from MĂŒrren, where the perspective of the Jungfrau is just as spectacular without the need to go up. And speaking of MĂŒrren, thereâs now the worldâs steepest gondola in the area, truly an exciting addition to the region.
Travelling After Christmas: A Weekend in Budapest
The quiet days between Christmas and New Year are perfect for a short European getaway, and Switzerland sits right in the middle of the continent. We used the week after Christmas for a weekend in Budapest, an easy and affordable trip and a nice way to round off the holidays.
If you want to read about our weekend trip to Budapest, you can read more here.
Did you know that you can visit most countries in Europe with just one visa? The Schengen visa allows travel across 27 European countries with a single visa, making it easier to explore the continent!
Day Trip to Lucerne
We spent a day in Luzern and made time to see some of the cityâs most iconic landmarks, including the Lion Monument, the KKL, and the KapellbrĂŒcke. We also visited the Bourbaki Panorama, a 360 degree mural that depicts the âKampf von Frankreich.â The scale of the artwork was impressive and the history behind it was even more compelling. It ended up being one of the highlights of our visit and we captured some great moments there.
Christmas in Switzerland FAQ
What is Christmas like in Switzerland?
Swiss Christmas is cosy and family-focused rather than flashy. Towns fill with Christmas markets, lights and the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, snow often covers the mountains and sometimes the valleys, and the main celebration happens at home on Christmas Eve with a special meal and a real tree, traditionally lit the same evening.
What are traditional Swiss Christmas foods?
Festive meals often centre on fondue or raclette, and many families enjoy a fondue chinoise (thinly sliced meat cooked in broth) on Christmas Eve. The season is also full of baked treats, including Mailanderli, Brunsli and Zimtsterne biscuits, and plenty of Swiss chocolate and mulled wine at the markets.
When is Christmas celebrated in Switzerland?
The main celebration is on the evening of 24 December, Christmas Eve, when families gather for dinner and open presents. The 25th and 26th are also public holidays. Earlier in the season, Samichlaus (St Nicholas) visits children on 6 December, a separate and much-loved tradition.
Is Switzerland a good place to visit at Christmas?
Very much so. The combination of alpine scenery, snow, charming old towns and well-run Christmas markets makes it one of the most atmospheric places in Europe in December. It is not cheap, but for a classic snowy, storybook Christmas it is hard to beat.
Does it snow in Switzerland at Christmas?
In the mountains, almost certainly. A white Christmas is reliable in alpine resorts and higher villages, while the lower cities and valleys like Zurich, Bern and Solothurn get snow some years but not every year. For guaranteed snow, head for higher elevations.
What are the best Christmas markets in Switzerland?
Some of the best known are in Basel, Zurich, Montreux by the lake, Lucerne and Bern, each with stalls of crafts, food, mulled wine and lights. Smaller towns hold charming markets too, so you are rarely far from one during December.
A Christmas Full of Traditions and New Experiences
This Christmas in Switzerland was filled with joy, surprises, and moments of cultural exchange. From fondue and Christmas trees to snowman building and sledging, we shared countless beautiful memories. Whether it was experiencing Swiss food, traditions, or just enjoying the winter wonderland, it was an unforgettable time. For my girlfriend, it was her first European Christmas, and Iâm so glad she had the chance to experience it in Switzerland. If you ever find yourself here during the holidays, be sure to immerse yourself in the traditions and make some magical memories of your own.
Maybe you will enjoy your Christmas in Switzerland soon!
Planning more of Europe around your trip? If you want a city break with a very different energy, my Prague travel guide covers sightseeing, butcher-shop dinners, a medieval feast and nightlife.
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