YOUR GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN AND AROUND GENEVA
By Alexandra Osváth
It’s Christmastime in the city! After most holiday events were cancelled last year, we’re all really excited about this year’s festivities. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Christmas markets in Geneva and beyond!
Please note a COVID certificate is required in many Christmas markets.
NOEL AU JARDIN
FROM 18 NOVEMBER TO 26 DECEMBER 2021 head to Geneva’s Jardin Anglais for the city’s traditional Christmas market.
Admire the Christmas lights, meet your friends at the Fondue Chalet, and soak in the atmosphere.
This is the perfect opportunity to buy locally made gifts, try the different food stands, sip on mulled wine and entertain the kids with a variety of activities.
OPENING TIMES
Mon-Wed: 11am to 9pm
Thurs-Sat: 11am to 10pm
Sun: 11am to 8pm
(The Christmas Pub and Fondue Chalet stay open for 2 hours after the market closing times listed above)
Exceptions:
Opening day on 18 Nov: 5pm to 10pm
24 Dec: 11am – 4pm
25 Dec: closed
WHERE
Jardin Anglais, 1204 Geneva
MORE INFO
CAROUGE CHRISTMAS MARKET & EVENTS
FROM 10-12 DECEMBER 2021 quaint Carouge’s Christmas market is finally back.
See the Christmas lights, shop for handmade gifts and enjoy all the food on offer!
From 12 November, mail a letter to Santa at the big red Christmas mailbox on Place de Sardaigne! You have until 14 December to ‘mail’ your letter and get a reply from Santa Claus. Don’t forget to include a first name, last name, age and street address on each letter!
From 1 December, visit the Wishing Tree on Place des Charmettes and leave your bright wishes for the new year.
The Carouge ice skating rink is back from 13 November 2021 to 20 February 2022.
On Sunday 5 December there will be an Advent Concert at the Temple de Carouge performed by the Musique Municipale de Carouge.
The Musique Municipale de Carouge will parade around Place du Marché on Saturday 11 December.
CAROUGE CHRISTMAS MARKET: OPENING TIMES
Fri 10 Dec: 2-8pm
Sat 11 Dec: 10am to 8pm
Sun 12 Dec: 10am to 6pm
CAROUGE CHRISTMAS MARKET: WHERE
Carouge: la rue St-Joseph, la place du Temple, along la place du Marché and in front of city hall.
MORE INFO
Read more about the Christmas market and events in Carouge.
PLACE DE FUSTERIE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Right in the heart of Geneva’s shopping streets you’ll find the perfect hand-made gifts at the Christmas market at Place de Fusterie.
OPENING TIMES
12-24 December 2021
Saturday 16 Dec: 9am to 6pm
Sundays: 10am to 5pm
Mon, Tues, Wed: 9am to 7pm
Thurs: 9am to 8pm
WHERE
Place de la Fusterie
1204 Geneva
FERME DE BUDE CHRISTMAS MARKET & EVENTS
Organic and local is the theme for Christmas at the Ferme de Budé in Geneva’s Petit Saconnex neighbourhood, just a stone’s throw from the UN.
Every Saturday from 13 November to 18 December 2021 taste beverages, cuisine, and more from different local vendors, with two featured each day.
The Ferme de Budé Christmas Market will take place on Saturday, 11 December. Browse for the perfect Christmas gift made by local artisans, from jewelry to textiles, fine soaps, handmade notebooks, and more. Warm up with a coffee and baked goodie from Le Fix’s mobile café – we love their café near Maison de la Paix.
FERME DE BUDE CHRISTMAS MARKET: OPENING TIMES
Sat 11 Dec: 9am to 4pm
FERME DE BUDE SATURDAY EVENTS:
Every Sat from 13 Nov to 18 Dec: 9am to 4pm
WHERE
Ferme de Budé
Moïse-Duboule 2
1209 Genève
Tel: +41 22 777 17 00
contact@ferme-de-bude.ch
MORE INFO
Read more on their website.
MONT-BLANC CHRISTMAS MARKET
Just outside Geneva’s main train station, Gare Cornavin, you’ll find plenty of Christmas spirit and artisanal gifts. It’s a great stop on your way into town or heading home from work. There are also fun Christmas lights above the outdoor market.
OPENING TIMES
Fri 26 Nov to Sunday 26 Dec: 10am to 8pm
WHERE
Marché de Noël du Mont-Blanc
Rue du Mont-Blanc 22
1201 Geneva
MORE INFO
PLAINPALAIS CHRISTMAS MARKET
Artists and artisans will come together at the Maison de quartier de Plainpalais the last weekend in November. You’ll enjoy browsing the different stands and chatting with the artisans – and finding great gifts.
OPENING TIMES
Fri 26 Nov: 6pm-10pm
Sat 27 Nov: 4pm-8pm
Sun 28 Nov: 2pm-6pm
WHERE
Maison de quartier de Plainpalais
Rue de la Tour 1
1205 Genève
Tel: +41 22 331 45 20
mq.plainpalais@fase.ch
MORE INFO
CHRISTMAS MARKETS JUST OUTSIDE GENEVA
THE LEGENDARY MONTREUX CHRISTMAS MARKET
If you’re looking for a huge Christmas market AND the chance to meet Santa, nothing beats the Montreux Christmas market!
You’ll find over 150 chalets extending for more than a kilometer along the lakeside promenade. If you look overhead, you’ll spot Santa flying on his sleigh, too (every day at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm; weekends at 4 pm).
With 8 restaurants serving local cuisine and many take-away stalls, you won’t go hungry either.
Adults and children alike will love the “Light on Ice” experience, where you’ll skate a pathway of ice through an enchanted forest to… an ice bar. Yes please! Check on their website for more information, opening times and to book tickets.
Kids will love the chance to meet Santa in a magical setting high above Montreux on the Rochers de Naye. Take a cogwheel train from the city up into the mountains, where a snowy winter wonderland – and Santa – await. Get all the dates and times and book your tickets on their website.
Experience medieval Christmas at the Château de Chillon on the weekend of 4-5 December from 10am until 6pm. The castle is beautifully decorated for the occasion and artisans in medieval dress are ready to take you back in time. Find out more on their website.
Got a wish for the new year? Send your wish directly to Santa here, and visit La Redoute House of Wishes at the Christmas Market.
CHRISTMAS MARKET OPENING TIMES
19 Nov to 24 Dec
Mon-Tues: 11am to 8pm
Wed-Thurs: 11am to 9pm
Fri: 11am to 10pm
Sat: 10am to 10pm
Sun: 10am to 8pm
(Food and beverage stands close 1-2 hours later)
WHERE
Montreux, Switzerland
MORE INFO
FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ANNECY
We can’t get enough of the medieval old town in nearby Annecy, nicknamed “Venice of the Alps” and just a 45-min or so drive from Geneva or an easy bus ride. It’s perfect any time of year, and Christmas is extra special. As the town’s Christmas market was cancelled last year due to COVID, expect extra cheer this year!
You’ll find 150 chalets in 9 locations across Annecy, and there’s an outdoor ice skating rink, too! They’re organizing tons of activities and events including light shows in emblematic spots around the city.
The Christmas market in Annecy is on until 2 January – longer than the Geneva Christmas markets.
OPENING TIMES
22 Nov 2021 to 2 Jan 2022
Mon-Thurs: 11am to 9pm
Fri-Sun: 11am to 9:30pm (markets outside the city centre close at 9pm)
WHERE
Annecy, France
MORE INFO
LAUSANNE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Just under an hour from Geneva, Lausanne is brimming with Christmas festivities this year. The city’s “Bo Christmas” has 5 markets, a children’s village, and two lively squares.
Hop on the ferris wheel or try an escape game in a chalet, horse-drawn carriage rides, local wines, children’s workshops, and much more.
Looking for New Year’s plans? Try the silent disco at the Lausanne Christmas market on 31 Dec!
And don’t miss the impressive Lausanne Festival of Lights from 24 Nov to 24 Dec!
OPENING DATES
18 Nov to 31 Dec
WHERE
Place Pépinet, Lausanne, Switzerland
MORE INFO
POSTCARD-PERFECT GRUYERES CHRISTMAS MARKET
This picture-perfect medieval Swiss village is beautiful throughout the year, but at Christmas it is even more magical.
Warm drink in hand, stroll along the main street and find the perfect handmade Christmas gift at the 40 chalet market stalls. It’s a fairytale setting.
OPENING DATES AND TIMES
10-12 Dec; and 17-19 Dec
Fri: 5pm-9pm
Sat: 11am-9pm
Sun: 11am-6pm
WHERE
Rue du Bourg
Gruyères, Switzerland
MORE INFO
CHRISTMAS MARKET AT THE CHATEAU DE MORGES
Just 30-45 minutes from Geneva by car or train, Morges is a beautiful little lakeside town that deserves a stop at any season (check out our article about taking a day trip to Morges, too).
With over 90 traditional chalet market stalls, local cuisine, and free access to the castle and its exhibit during the market opening hours, it’s the perfect outing for the whole family.
OPENING TIMES
From 1-5 December; and from 8-12 December
Wed-Fri: 4pm-9pm
Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 10am-7pm
WHERE
Morges Castle
Rue du Château 1, 1110 Morges, Switzerland