Christmas markets in Switzerland

Heidi Kreis sells her dolls at the Pilatus and Lucerne Christmas markets swissinfo.ch

For anyone wishing to do their Christmas shopping in Switzerland, the choice of markets is large.

However, those wishing to purchase their unique gifts on top of Mount Pilatus will have to wait another year.

Even though, Europe’s highest Christmas event opened and closed in mid-November, most other Swiss markets are just opening.

Basel’s stretches for three kilometres from Aeschenplatz to Messeplatz, intersecting the old town and crossing bridges. Every Christmas gift imaginable – and unimaginable – can be had from the sellers at the more than 140 stalls.

It runs from the end of November until December 23.

The covered Christmas market in Montreux begins its three-week run on December 6. It is the largest on Lake Geneva with about 100 stands – and true to Montreux’s reputation as a city of music – includes performances by jazz combos and street performers.

Crystal decorations adorn the 15-metre-high “Tannenbaum” that will tower over the stands in the great hall of Zurich’s main railway station until December 24. It is Switzerland’s largest indoor “Christkindlimarkt”.

The event in Bern is content with being small but cosy. Arts and crafts can be bought up to Christmas Eve from stalls lining the squares and narrow lanes around the cathedral and parliament buildings.

swissinfo/Dale Bechtel