Top Christmas Markets on Lake Geneva in Switzerland

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Montreux, Lausanne, and Geneva have the best Christmas markets (Marché de Noël / Weihnachtsmarkt), decorations, and Xmas lights to visit in 2024 in the Lac Léman region of Switzerland.

Christmas Market in Montreux on Lake Geneva will open again in 2024.

The advent season before Christmas brings some color and holiday cheer to the Lake Geneva region. Many towns see an increase in cultural events – not all music is necessarily religious in nature – and Christmas lights brighten many streets and town squares for the festive season. Often, shops have the best Christmas decorations, while the odd Christmas market invites visitors to eat, drink, and be merry. Snow in towns on Lake Geneva is possible but in no way common in the Christmas season. Large Christmas markets in the Lake Geneva region are generally open from around November 21 to Christmas 24 but the market in Lausanne and some ski resorts continue until December 31. Markets (and shops) close early on Christmas Eve.

Hotels in Geneva and Lausanne often have good deals in December while accommodation in Montreux and ski resorts such as Zermatt and Leukerbad come at a premium during the Christmas holidays.

2024 Christmas Market Dates: The larger Christmas markets (Marché de Noël) in the Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) region of Switzerland are open from Thursday, November 21 to December 24, 2024.

Montreux Marché de Noël – Best Christmas Market on Lake Geneva

The Marché de Noël à Montreux is the best Christmas market in the Lac Léman region. The Montreux Christmas market is a relatively new event and three decades of history cannot really compete with the centuries-old traditions of the best German Christmas markets. Germany, however, is more than a three-hour drive away.

The Montreux Marché de Noël is spread over several distinct areas. The main market is on the banks of Lake Geneva with wonderful views not only of the lake but also of the snow-covered Alps. Around 150 open-air stands here sell various trinkets, local crafts, real candles, Christmas tree decorations, holiday foods, winter clothing, and hand-made gifts, but also Swarovski crystals and jewelry.

The food stalls and restaurants — often in rustic wooden chalets — serve traditional Swiss foods and drinks in a festive atmosphere. Popular foods that also make good gifts include gingerbread cookies, preserves, drinks, and gourmet food. A few rides are available too with the Ferris wheel popular for a birds-eye view of Montreux, the festivities, and Lake Geneva.

Nearby, in the market hall, is the covered Marché de Noël with a Santa’s workshop. Each year, Montreux Noël invites a country to do special events and Christmas presentations. 

→ In 2024: The Montreux Christmas market is open from November 21 to December 24, 2024. Opening hours are generally 11 am to 8 pm (10 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and opening at 10 am on weekends. Admission is free.

Transportation to Montreux by train, especially over weekends, is highly advisable — the train station is just a short walk (or escalator ride) away from the beautiful markets. Parking is a premium and many visitors have to park and ride.

A special Santa’s House on Rochers-de-Naye and a Christmas village in Caux require reservations for the novelty train ride and admission fees to Santa Claus. The special medieval Christmas market at Chateau de Chillon also has an admission fee but reservations are not required.

See Also for More on Christmas Time in Montreux:

Geneva’s International Christmas Markets

The main Christmas market in Geneva is on the Quay Mont Blanc and the Jardin Anglais on the shores of Lake Geneva just below the old town. The current name of this market is Noël au Quay but Noël au Jardin is also often used.

The Geneva Christmas market combines some entertainment, a few market stalls, a Christmas pub, and a fondue chalet. Many of the stalls at the Genève Marché International de Noel sell clothes or accessories.

→ In 2024: The Christmas Market in Geneva is open from November 21 to December 24, 2024.

Unfortunately, the Geneva Christmas market often lacks atmosphere, and visitors with high expectations of a traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt are likely going to be disappointed. Many Genevois travel to Montreux for a far superior Christmas market experience. In Geneva, the celebrations surrounding L’Escalade celebrations in early December are often more interesting and fun.

More positively, the city center of Geneva often sports some of the best Christmas decorations in the region. Rue du Marché usually has the largest displays while the high-end shops in Rue de Rive often have very classy Christmas windows too. Many public spaces are also tastefully decorated.

Lausanne’s Marché de Noël (Weihnachtsfeier / Christmas Celebrations)

Lausanne has an active events program during Advent. The main Marché de Noël (Christmas market) is on Place St Francois where just over 50 stalls sell decorations and food. Several further festive markets are spread throughout the center of the city but visitors should keep in mind that Lausanne is very hilly and walking more challenging than in many other cities on Lac Léman.

The Village des Enfants (Village for Children) is at Lausanne Cathedral — the finest Gothic building in French-speaking Switzerland. It is also worth going up here for the fantastic panoramic views of Lausanne, Lake Geneva, and the Swiss and French Alps. It is also the perfect place for midnight mass, nativity scenes, Christmas music, Christmas carols, and a singing Christmas tree.

Children (and adults) may also enjoy the luge at Place Central.

→ In 2024: Christmas markets in Lausanne are scheduled for November 19 to December 31, 2024. (Closed on December 25.)

Further Traditional Christmas Markets in the Lake Geneva Region

Many ski resorts in the Swiss Alps also have their own colorful Christmas markets that are often open on Christmas day as well. Many towns near the lake will have handicraft markets on a few weekends during Advent.

Towns with castles have good backdrops with the market on some weekends at Morges Castle very picturesque. Romantic Gruyeres with its medieval architecture, castle, and beautiful old town is a pleasure to visit in any season but particularly beautiful when experiencing a White Christmas. La Maison de Gruyère is famous for fondue cheese and local specialties in the museum’s traditional restaurant. Nearby Broc is also popular any season to visit the Maison Cailler chocolate factory (limitless sampling!).

Further small markets are often held in villages or neighborhoods of Geneva (e.g. Paquis and Carouge) but only for one or two weekends — more likely late November than in mid-December. Such village Christmas markets are mostly aimed at the locals and are a bit hit and miss but worth visiting if staying nearby.

Many smaller towns on Lac Léman have ice rinks set up for much of the holiday season and the first few months of the year. These are mostly aimed at locals and schools but anybody may use the ice rink — often for free with skates for rent at moderate prices.

The best Swiss Christmas markets are arguably in the German-speaking parts of the country with the Basler Weihnachtsmark (Basel Christmas Market) often considered the biggest and best in Switzerland.

Other Christmas Activities near Lake Geneva

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