Geneva Christmas Market: The Complete Guide
Spend time at a Geneva Christmas market that will put you in the Christmas spirit. These markets, found throughout the city, are filled with amazing gift ideas. Bring your festive enthusiasm and a few empty shopping bags to stow all the goodies you are going to find at any Christmas market in Geneva.
Christmastime in Geneva is magical, but spending a day at a Christmas market with live music, festive food, and wonderful vendors will make the experience so much better. The city is turned into a winter wonderland complete with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and crisp weather. Wrap your chilled hands around a cup of hot chocolate or hot mulled wine and meander through the crowds.
Find a Bounce luggage locker in Geneva to drop your bags off so you are not fighting the crowds while loaded down with holiday purchases. Keeping your belongings and any gifts you have bought safe is important. Enjoy the most beautiful Christmas markets burden free.
Noël au Jardin
Better known as Geneva’s Christmas Market or Christmas in the Garden, this fabulous market will be held from mid-November to just before Christmas Eve. Small wooden chalets house vendors offering just about everything under the sun. You can easily visit each weekend and discover something new every time to find the best Christmas gifts.
Kids will love the old-fashioned carousel and Ferris wheel. Stop by the children’s yurt to enjoy Christmas programs, activities, games, crafts, face painting, and storytelling. There are plenty of stations where your kiddos can create their own Christmas decorations. Adults will enjoy the Christmas Pub and Fondue Chalet.
This festive season is not complete without a trip to Noël au Jardin. The vendors change weekly and there are over 30 food vendors offering fabulous street food making this one of the most popular Geneva Christmas markets. Head to Geneva’s English Garden for a fun-filled day at the oldest Christmas market in Geneva.
What to do near Noël au Jardin
Before leaving the English Garden stop by the Geneva Fountain which is about 459 feet tall. It is one of the top tourist attractions in not just Geneva, but all of Switzerland. The Geneva Fountain is one of the best-known fountains in the world. The United Nations headquarters is also located near the Jardin Anglais or English Garden and is an interesting place to visit.
Christmas Market in Parc des Bastion
This magical market is open throughout December at Bastions Park. The park comes alive with breathtaking Christmas lights and festive music. You will find some of the most beautiful Christmas gifts that have been created by local artisans. Some say this is the best Christmas market in the city.
Also, a winter street food village, the Christmas Market in Parc des Bastion offers mulled wine bars where you can warm up from spending time in the cold. Stop by the Chalet of Fondue where you will sample some of the best cheeses Switzerland has to offer. The Christmas festivities will keep your spirits high all day long.
One of the best Christmas markets in Geneva for families, you can enjoy ice skating at the ice rink or watch as your little ones discover the magic of a carousel ride at Christmastime. There really are so many fabulous activities and festive stalls for the entire family to enjoy.
What to do near Noël aux Bastions
Parc des Bastions is not far from Lake Geneva, the biggest lake in Central Europe. Jet d’Eau or the Geneva Fountain is just a stone's throw away and can also be seen from the park and is a great place for photos. Drop by the St. Pierre Cathedral and check out the historic architecture.
Christmas Market at Marché de la Fusterie
Marché de Noël à la Fusterie is the place to get into the Swiss holiday spirit and showcases artisans from across the region. It is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the city and is filled with charming decorations, twinkling lights, and handmade crafts from jewelry and handbags to art and independent designer clothing.
Located in Place de la Fusterie near Place du Marché, you will want to explore this market and meet up with old friends while making new friends. Enjoy the street food and maybe even finish your Christmas shopping. You may find the perfect gift for that one person on your list who is impossible to shop for. Christmas magic will surround you here.
What to do near Marché de la Fusterie
You don’t even have to leave the square, Place de la Fusterie, to check out some of the best restaurants in the city. Espace Fusterie, Wine & Beef Fusterie, and Caviar House & Prunier are just a few wonderful eateries. Bulgari is also located here, as is the Piaget Time Gallery.
Christmas at Chillion Castle
Spend the day at Chillon Castle, on the shore of Lake Geneva located just south of Veytaux in the canton of Vaud, about an hour from Geneva. This fairy-tale Christmas market transforms the medieval castle into a red and green Christmas wonderland.
Christmas lights create a festive and magical atmosphere while visitors make their way through the different booths where they can learn about candle-making, cookery, calligraphy, and so much more. Be enthralled as storytellers weave their holiday tales, and enjoy arts and crafts with the whole family.
Most of the other Christmas markets in Geneva are free, but the Christmas at Chillion Castle market does charge a nominal fee. However, you do get access to certain areas of the castle with your admission to the market. The market generally runs for the first three weekends in December.
What to do near Christmas at Chillion Castle
When you are visiting Chillion Castle, you have to make time to explore Fort de Chillion as well. Then head over and check out the statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, you can even take a selfie with the statue. Round out your day with a trip to the Corniche Lavaux Vineyards for a wine tasting.
The Magic of a Geneva Christmas Market
The magical setting of Geneva, Switzerland is the perfect backdrop for a beautifully decorated Swiss Christmas market. There are many more magical places and Christmas markets including Mount Pilatus, Place Pépinet, the Montreux Christmas market, the Basel Christmas market, and the Lucerne Christmas market.
Step out and enjoy a one-of-a-kind singing Christmas tree, explore the best Christmas markets in Geneva, and for food lovers, spend time sampling all the wonderful treats that seem to only make an appearance at Christmastime. To see Geneva in all its beauty any time of year but especially in the festive season, Geneva Station is an excellent starting point.