Top 10 Christmas Activities for Families in Zurich

Here is our top 10 Christmas activities for families in Zürich list. It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Zürich is an absolutely magical place. With so many family friendly things to see and do, here is our top 10 list of what we are looking forward to this Christmas season.

1. Christmas Markets

We love the Wienachtsdorf, in Sechseläutenplatz in front of the Opera House. It’s open from November 23rd-December 23rd. I call it the Bellevue Christmas market as it’s right at the Bellevue tram stop.

The Zürich main train station also has a wonderful Christkindlimarkt market including a 50 foot tall Swarovski crystal tree and cute little shops with crafts and food. It’s one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. It’s great if the weather is terrible. The market is open November 23rd-December 24th.

2. Ice Skating

Our three favorite places to ice skate in Zürich are the Wienachtsdorf Christmas Market, ETH, and Dolder. These are all very different places. My favorite is the Wienachtsdorf ice rink. We skate, eat, and wander the Christmas market. It’s a one stop shop for all things Christmas. ETH is the very best view of Zürich. It’s located at the university, up on the hill, so we can see all the rooftops of Zürich. And the snack bar there is really cute. Dolder is a large and very well laid out facility with enough room to skate as well as lockers for all your stuff.

3. Marlitram

The Marlitram is a Christmas themed old-fashioned tram for children with Santa at the wheel and angels handing out cookies. This is an absolute must with kids in Zurich. Buy tickets at Jelmoli. Tickets go on sale November 21st for the first Marlitram ride on November 28th.

4. Candle Making

My favorite place for candle dipping is at the Burkliplatz. We love to make candles, take a break in their cute cafe, then resume candle making. I love the therapeutic meditative state we get into while making candles. And I love the shorter kid size candle dipping they have there. This candle making hut in the middle of the Burkliplatz is open November 10th-December 22nd.

5. Send A Letter To Santa

How cute is it that the Swiss Post sends a letter and a tiny toy to every child who writes Santa a letter?! I’m going to have my girls write Santa a little letter and see what they get back in the post. Last year the Swiss Post team wrote back to 18,699 children.

6. Lighting of the Lucy Lights on the Bahnhofstrasse

November 23rd is the day we have all been waiting for! It’s finally time for all the Christmas activity to start. The official lighting begins at 6pm sharp, when the Lucy lights are lit and we can all start enjoying the Christmas festivities. Shops stay open until 10pm which is super late by Zürich standards. There will also be a lot of yummy food and the first sips of gluhwein.

7. Santa Boat

Join Santa on a cruise around Lake Zürich Sunday December 4th starting at the Burkliplatz Schiff Station at either 2:10pm or 3:35pm. The cruise is just over an hour and will be a favorite with the kids. Buy tickets onboard, any ZVV, or at the Burkliplatz ticket counter.

8. Fondue

There are so many places to have a fun fondue experience in Zürich. We love the Fondue Chalet in the Wienachtsdorf and will definitely make a reservation again this year. There is a fondue tram in Bellevue from November 2nd-February 25th. And the fondue boat is a gorgeous way to see Lake Zürich.

9. Hot Chocolate

My favorite Christmas decor in all of Zürich is at Cafe Schober. This is the very best place to sit and enjoy the gorgeous decorations and a cup of their famous hot chocolate. But my #1 favorite hot chocolate in Zürich is at Sprüngli. Plus, they give the kids syrup, colors, coloring paper, and a macaron.

10. Singing Christmas Tree

The Singing Christmas Tree is fun for the family from November 23rd-December 23rd. With a fondue restaurant and other food and snack huts, the family can enjoy this little spot right off the Bahnhofstrasse and listen to the singers standing in the tree.