Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
When winter comes to Zürich, the city sheds its everyday suit and wraps itself in lanterns, wool-wrapped shoppers and mulled wine.
When winter comes to Zürich, the city sheds its everyday suit and wraps itself in lanterns, wool-wrapped shoppers and mulled wine.
- Stay close to the gay bars and the city’s busiest Christmas Markets at the Marktgasse Hotel, a “Travel Proud” certified hotel rated “Excellent” by guests, set in a restored 15th-century building, 39 unique rooms blending historic character and modern design.
The Event
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates – Typically late November to 31st December.
- Christmas in Zurich is a unique experience. Enjoy lakeside markets, mulled wine and winter lights across the old town.
- Take a break for the cold in the big indoor station market with giant Christmas tree.
- Enjoy flirtatious cocktails in the cosy gay bars steps from the markets in Niederdorf and Langstrasse.
- Celebrate the arrival of the new year with fireworks by the lake and midnight grapes on New Year’s Eve.
- And partake in seasonal traditions including fondue nights, ice skating and choir shows through December.
- Average daytime highs in December hover around 3-5 °C (37-41 °F), nights dropping to around 0 °C or below.
- Snow is possible on ~5 days and daylight is brief. Pack layers, especially for walks, ice-skating at market rinks and cosy café breaks by the Limmat or Zürichsee.
Wienachtsdorf – Sechseläutenplatz (by the Opera House)
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates.
- Zürcher Wienachtsdorf : Featuring food stalls selling a wide range of local and international gourmet dishes and artisan gifts in a relaxed lakeside setting just beyond the old town.
- Great for an evening wander after bars in the city centre – perfect to start a gay-friendly night out.
- Check out the latest prices and hotels close to the Market.
Christkindlimarkt – Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Main Station)
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates.
- Zürich Hauptbahnhof : Large and popular Christmas market held within Zurich’s main station concourse.
- Features over 100 stalls and a towering Christmas tree studded with lights – ideal for a drop-in between hotels and bars.
Dörfli Market – Niederdorf / Old Town
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates.
- Dorfli Market: Charming and authentic Christmas Market stretching between Central and Bellevue.
- More local feel, around 70 stalls, ice-rink for children in Rosenhof – ideal for a relaxed afternoon before the night begins.
- Enjoy a unique festival atmosphere in the Old Town with a stay at the Hotel Felix, rated “Excellent” by guests with spacious modern rooms and superb location.
Gay Christmas in Zurich
- The heart of the gay scene lives around the Old Town (Niederdorf), Langstrasse and the quarter around Spitalgasse.
- Bars & clubs worth noting: Cranberry Bar (Spitalgasse 3 – downtown), Predigerhof Bistro Bar (Mühlegasse 15 – friendly men’s pub).
- Mix your market strolls with a pre-drink in Cranberry , then head out for a late-evening DJ or drag-show night in Langstrasse. The scene remains lively in winter and is welcoming for visitors.
- For a gay-friendly stay, book the 25hours Hotel Zürich Langstrasse, a design-forward, busy boutique hotel in the Langstrasse district (which overlaps with Zürich’s gay nightlife hub), and host of many themed gay nights.
Popular Gay Christmas events
- The Queer Christmas Cruise (Lake Zürich) – A three-hour DJ + drag + karaoke party aboard a boat leaving from Bürkliplatz, followed by free access to after-parties at major gay clubs.
- BOYAHKASHA! QUEER CHRISTMAS – Hosted at the club Mascotte near Bellevue, drag-show and two-floor party on, typically held on or around the 25th December with DJs and boylesque.
Other Festive things to see and do
- Look out for the “Singende Weihnachtsbaum” (Singing Christmas Tree) located at Hauptbahnhof.
- Enjoy Swiss seasonal dishes: raclette, fondue, warm waffles with chocolate, mulled wine (“Glühwein”) and special Christmas pastries.
- Take the tram to Uetliberg for “Winterzauber https://utokulm.ch/winterzauber” high above the city, with candle-making and snow-tipped views.
New Years Eve
- Big fireworks over Lake Zürich and the Quay around Bellevue and Bürkliplatz at midnight.
- Many bars in the gay district stay open late – a slow walk from market lights to cocktail lounges then to dancing.
- Traditions: Swiss love outdoor drinks, fireworks, and the atmosphere on lakeside promenades.
- From a gay perspective: Wrap your market day early, have dinner near Niederdorf, then flow into the bars around Langstrasse until late.
- KIKi x Klaus: New Year’s Ride – New Year’s Eve party (31st Dec into 1 Jan) at club Klaus, hard techno/queer venue; expect late-hours and strong local crowd.
Zurich Hotels
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action:
Hotel Storchen, Marktgasse Hotel, Hotel St. Josef, Sorell Hotel Rütli.
The Old town is close to the gay bars
Book now and pay on arrival
The Hotel Storchen, is our editors
choice in the Old town right on the lake
For further information and advice on
Gay Christmas Zurich visit Website
Most of the gay bars in Zurich are in the old Town, we have chosen Hotels close to all the bars that have high reviews on booking.com our hotel partner
Address: Weinplatz 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Niederdorfstrasse 10, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Hirschengraben 64, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Zähringerstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich
Address: Zähringerstrasse 43, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Brauerstrasse 16, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Seilergraben 41, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Mühlegasse 11, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Metzgergasse 3, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Limmatquai 61, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Spitalgasse 14, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Mühlegasse 15, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Seilergraben 13, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Zollstrasse 121, 8005 Zürich, Zollhaus Haus A, 1.OG
Address: Spitalgasse 5, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Hohlstrasse 48, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
Address: Sihlquai 240, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
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We have chosen hotels in Zurich that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Highlights of the best Zurich Christmas Markets.