Floating candles light up Christmas in Zurich

People crowd onto the bridges over the Limmat to watch the procession of light Keystone Archive

Hundreds of floating candles - hand-crafted by children - will light up Zurich's Limmat River on December 20.

At precisely 6pm, about 800 candles will be launched from the Rathaus Bridge in the middle of the old town into the river.

The “floating lights” festival lends a warm seasonal atmosphere to Zurich. Hot punch and ginger bread will be served in the Weinplatz square for the occasion, to warm hands and fill stomachs.

The festival compliments the thousands of lanterns shedding Christmas glow along Zurich’s famous shopping mile, the Bahnhofstrasse. Most shops on Bahnhofstrasse and in the inner city are open longer throughout the Christmas season.

Shoppers have until 8pm on weekdays to find that special something and until 6pm on Saturdays. The shops are also open on Sundays in December from 11am to 5pm.

Christkindl market

The Zurich train station is also decked out for the season. It’s home to the city’s own Christkindl market. Christmas trinkets and countless other crafts will be offered from more than 100 market stalls arranged around a giant Christmas tree in the station main hall.

Zurich’s fairy tale tram is just the antidote for parents with kids who need a break from traipsing through the markets and shops.

It runs from Bellevueplatz and is driven by St Nick himself.

swissinfo