Christmas Markets on Lake Geneva in Switzerland

Geneva is a lovely city to visit at any time of year, but it’s positively magical come Christmas time. The city is brimming with opportunities for you to immerse yourself in Yuletide cheer and to enjoy the Christmas market and festivities. If you are, here are the Christmas markets and things to do that really bring the season to life and things to do that really bring the season to life.

1. Noël du Jardin at Jardin Anglais

Noël au Jardin, the main Christmas market in Geneva, and is not to be missed, especially if you’re visiting the city with your family. You can find the Christmas market stalls at the Jardin Anglais, where you’ll also find the market’s accompanying attractions, like its Christmas Pub, Fondue Chalet, Ferris Wheel, Carousel, and Children’s Yurt.

In addition to cute wooden stalls selling an incredible variety of gifts, ornaments, toys, seasonal foods and beverages, apparel, handcrafts, and more, you’ll also find funfair rides and a plethora of children’s and family-friendly activities.

Date: 16^th of November to 24^th of December, 2023

Location: Jardin Anglais in front of Geneva’s famous Flower Clock

2. Mont Blanc Christmas Market

Mont Blanc Christmas Market on Rue du Mont Blanc is one of the most traditional market in Geneva. Located near to the city's main train station, Gare Cornavin, it attracts visitors from other Swiss cities thanks to its convenient public transportation access.

This market boasts an array of stalls selling handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and ornaments, beautiful trinkets and locally crafted specialties, making it a popular spot for Christmas shopping and locally crafted specialties, making it a distinctive feature for Christmas shopping.

Date: 25^th of November to 28^th of December, 2023

Location: Rue du Mont Blanc

3. Carouge Christmas Market

The Carouge Christmas Market in Geneva, spans across many streets in the Carouge municipality, including Rue Saint-Joseph, Place du Marché, Place de l’Octroi, Place du Temple, and Rue Ancienne. Visitors can enjoy ice skating at Patinoire Carouge as well as the alluring stalls selling gorgeous crafts and delicious food and also experience the enchanting art installations throughout the area.

Date: TBC

Location: Carouge in the Canton of Geneva

4. Christmas Market at Marché de la Fusterie in Geneva 

Place de la Fusterie hosts various markets year-round, and it is also home to a popular festive market each year leading up to Christmas. From the 12^th of December to the 24^th this year, the Geneva Christmas Market at Marché de la Fusterie (Marché de Noël à la Fusterie) kickstarts the holiday spirit as visitors browse the many amazing festive stalls.

Date: 12-24 December, 2023

Location: Marché de la Fusterie

Other great Geneva Christmas markets to visit include Noël aux Bastions in Parc des Bastions, the market at Quai Général-Guisan, the market at Chillon Castle on the shore of Lake Geneva just south of Veytaux, about an hour from Geneva, and the Marché de Noël à Montreux in Montreux, about 40 minutes away by train.

3. Take a Geneva Chocolate Tour

Winter and chocolate are a match made in heaven, making this the perfect time of year to take a chocolate tour of the city famous for one of the world’s favourite confections. There are plenty of chocolate tours running in Geneva in winter, and most of them are walking tours which take in most of the city’s best chocolatiers as well as a few hidden gems.

4. Enjoy Dinner and a Concert

Enjoy an evening out while in Geneva in winter by wining and dining at one of the many excellent restaurants in the city centre before taking in a concert at the exquisite Victoria Hall. This historic three-storey concert hall with refined Renaissance-style detailing is best known for hosting classical music and jazz concerts.

5. Visit the Lausanne Festival of Lights

A picturesque 30-minute train ride takes you to Lausanne, a city on the upper end of the lake, northeast of Geneva. This charming city is perfectly located for a short visit in the afternoon and early evening, when you’ll be able to see the Lausanne Festival of Lights in all its glory. The festival runs until the 25^th of December.

6. Induldge in Winter comfort Food

The dairy-based Swiss specialities are delicious all year round, but they’re particularly comforting in winter. If you’re going to be enjoying a Geneva Christmas this year, make sure you indulge in one of the city’s (and country’s) most famous dishes – yes, we’re talking about fondue!

There are two ways you can approach this. First, you can pop down to a nearby delicatessen or grocery store and pick up a pre-grated fondue cheese mix and the other required ingredients before whipping up a delicious fondue in your kitchen at Fraser Suites Geneva. Second, head to one of the city’s finest fondue restaurants and let the chefs do all the hard work. A few of our favourite fondue restaurants include Café du Soleil near the UN headquarters, Café-Bonvin in the Eaux-Vives neighbourhood, and Le Gruyérien on Rue de Chêne-Bougeries.

7. Soak in a Thermal Bath

There’s nothing quite like taking a tip in the thermal bath in the middle of winter, and there’s no shortage of them in Geneva. The baths around the city are filled with water that bubbles up from hot springs, which many people believe to be beneficial and therapeutic.

Where to stay in Geneva in Winter for the best Christmas break

From Geneva’s Christmas markets to festive events and activities, this beautiful city offers an array of wonderful seasonal experiences. Plan your unforgettable Christmas break this year with our family serviced hotel apartment in the central of Geneva. Equipped with pet-friendly facilities, it becomes your ideal home away from home for the holiday season.