Bern’s Christmas Markets and more highlights

Ready, set, Christmas markets – you can find all relevant information on Bern’s Christmas markets here. Let’s enjoy this magical run-up to Christmas.

  • Opening hours
    Highlight Opening hours
    Berner Sternenmarkt (Star Market)
    Kleine Schanze    		 23 November (from 5 p.m.) to 29 December 2023
    Mon–Sat 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Sun 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

    Closed on 25 December
    Till 10:00 p.m. on 29 December
    Waisenhausplatz square
    Christmas Market    		 1 December to 23 December 2023
    Mon–Sat 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
    Sun 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

    Altjahresmarkt (Boxing Week Market)
    27 December to 30 January 2023
    Mon–Fri 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Neujahresmarkt (New Year Market)
    3 January to 6 January 2024
    Mon–Fri 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Münsterplatz (Minster Square)
    Christmas Market    		 1 December (from 5:00 p.m.) to 23 December 2023

    Mon–Thu 11:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
    Fri 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
    Sat/Sun 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Sat 23 December 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Minster terrace
    Artisan’s Market    		 Sat–Sun 2-3 December 2023
    Sat–Sun 16-17 December 2023

    Sat 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Chalet Alpenland
    Kornhausplatz square    		 10 November to 10 December 2023

    Outdoor terrace from 2:00 p.m.
    Mon–Thu 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
    Fri 11:00 a.m.–00:00 a.m.
    Sat 11:00 a.m.–00:00 a.m.
    Sun 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Øscår Elch
    Ringgenpärkli park    		 18 November to 23 December 2023

    Mon–Wed 12:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Thu 12:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
    Fri–Sat 12:00 a.m.–00:30 a.m.
    Sun 12:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Generationenhaus
    (House of Generations)    		 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024

    Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Sat 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Gustavs Wintergarten From 20 November 2023
    Thu–Fri 4:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
    Sat 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
    Bim Portier Freibank From November 2023 to February 2024
    Christmas Market Laupen 2-3 December 2023

    Sat 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
    Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m
    Kambly Christmas Market 1-3 December 2023
    8-10 December 2023

    Fri–Sat 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
    Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Christmas Market Huttwil 29 November to 3 December 2023

    Wed–Fri 1:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Sat 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Sun 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Castle Market Schwarzenburg 1-2 December 2023

    Fri 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
    Sat 2:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

#1 Berner Sternenmarkt (Star Market Bern)

The trendy Christmas market on the Kleine Schanze: this festively decorated Christmas village houses numerous huts with wintery delicacies, hot drinks and designer products, making it the perfect place to shop and dwell for a while. The market also offers a big fondue chalet, weatherproof lounges, a children’s area with a carousel and a fabulous view of the parliament.

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#2 Christmas Market on the Waisen­haus­platz

The Christmas market with a decade-long tradition: on the Waisenhausplatz, festively decorated stalls sell caramelised almonds, star-shaped Christmas baubles, cookie cutters and many other gift ideas and souvenirs. Visitors can really get into the Christmas spirit while snacking and strolling through the market. Stalls like «Platzhirsch», «Morewurster» as well as many Bernese breweries make sure you don’t go hungry and are perfect for all bon vivants.

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#3 Christmas market in front of Bern’s Minster

Christmassy atmosphere far away from the mad rush of the city. This year, the Christmas market here will be even more festive than usual because it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary. At 100,6 m, the minster has the highest church tower in Switzerland. Set against its impressive backdrop, craftspeople from the city and region of Bern will be putting their unique products on offer. Everything is made with great care in their own studios and showcased by the producers themselves. Also: rumour has it that the white mulled wine in the «Märitbeizli» (market pub) is the best in town.

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#4 Crafts Market on the Minster Terrace

Perfect if you love craftsmanship: at the Christmas edition of the crafts market on the Minster Terrace, local craftspeople and designers show off their lovingly and passionately crafted products. You’ll surely find gifts for your godfather, mother or sister here. If you need a break from your Christmas stroll, you can enjoy the fantastic view of Europe’s second greenest capital and gaze out over the beautifully green Aare and Bern’s local mountain, the Gurten.

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#5 Chalet Alpenland

A dreamy winter scene in the middle of Kornhausplatz (Granary Square): In the traditional chalet, up to 100 guests can enjoy delicious food and warming drinks in an alpine atmosphere. There’s tartes flambées, and different variations of fondue and raclette, as well as charcuterie boards and desserts for when you just need a little bite to eat. Accompanied, of course, by steaming hot, homemade mulled wine. By the way: all the products sold here come from the city or region of Bern.

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#6 Øscår Elch

At Øscår Elch, the ambiance is as colourful and cheerful as always: The popular winter bar is popping up at Ringgenpärkli, transforming the quaint spot into a little winter wonderland in the heart of the city. It serves hot Gløgg (Scandinavian mulled wine made from red wine, korn or vodka, and spices) made from an original recipe, homemade hot mules and tarte flambée – exactly what we need on a cold winter’s day!

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#7 Winter at the Berner Generationen­haus

The Berner Generationenhaus is a cosy place, even during the colder seasons. Go and spend some time there and enjoy the games tournaments, clothes swaps, pony rides, tasty treats from the café bar and much more. They have something for everyone. They now also have pots for candle making in the three wooden huts in the inner courtyard, and a theatrical Advent calendar will open one door every day until Christmas. The association «Bühnen der Hauptstadt» («The Capital’s Stages») puts on 30-minute long funny, contemplative, curious and magical stories, and a bicycle carousel will make your children’s eyes light up and shape up your calves.

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  • Tipp

    From Monday to Saturday from 1 to 22 December 2023, you can make your own candles in the Berner Generationenhaus.

#8 Christmas Market Laupen

A magical advent atmosphere has returned to the historical town of Laupen. Strolling through the old town and taking in the cosy atmosphere will surely get you into the Christmas spirit. Partake in the activities prepared by the town’s associations and enjoy plenty of punch, mulled wine and whatever else your foodie heart may desire at the stalls from regional businesses, while Christmas music is playing in the background. And if you’re lucky, you’ll even meet Santa (or «Samichlous» as the Bernese people say).

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#9 Kambly Christmas Market

Small but exquisite, and a real insider tip: the Kambly Christmas World in the idyllic village of Trubschachen in the Emmental, only 40 minutes by train from Bern, where festively decorated chalets create a dreamy atmosphere for the Kambly Experience. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the market to discover the range of regional culinary delicacies and artisanal products or follow the romantic light path along the Ilfis and take a break by the campfire in a pensive winter atmosphere.

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#10 Christmas Market in Huttwil

One of Switzerland’s biggest, most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets is taking place in the historic centre of Huttwil – only 60 minutes by train from Bern. There you can experience candlelight, music, fairytales, culinary specialities, craftsmanship and conviviality in closest proximity, and the lovingly decorated wooden huts and a carol-singing choir create a very idyllic scene.

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#11 Castle Market Schwarzen­burg

Have you ever dreamed of the perfect Christmas fairytale? And is there a better place to make this dream come true than a real, historic castle? The Castle Market Schwarzenburg is only 45 minutes by train from Bern. You can buy delicious-smelling gingerbread, local handicrafts and tasty mulled wine at the stalls, listen to the live music in the background and enjoy the magnificent medieval backdrop. This Christmas market makes sure to engage all your sense in the Christmas magic.

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