Bern’s Christmas Markets and Other Highlights

Ready, set, Christmas market! You can find all the information on Bern’s Christmas markets here. ‘Tis the season to be jolly – enjoy the merry Advent season in Bern.

Go to the map for an overview.

Highlight	Opening hours
Berner Sternenmarkt (Star Market) Kleine Schanze	24 November (from 5 p.m.) to 30 December, 2022 Mon–Sat 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Sun 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Until 5 p.m. on 24 December Closed on 25 December
Christmas Market Waisenhausplatz	2 December to 24 December 2022 Altjahresmarkt (Boxing Week Market) 27–30 December 2022
Christmas market Berner Münster (Bern’s Minster)	2 December (from 5:00 p.m.) to 24 December 2022 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 24 December 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Minster terrace Artisan’s Market	Sun 27 November 2022 Sat–Sun 3-4 December 2022 Sat–Sun 17-18 December 2022 Sat 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sun 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Chalet Alpenland Kornhausplatz square	11 November to 23 December, 2022 Mon–Thu 2:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Fri–Sat 11:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. un 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Øscår Elch Ringgenpärkli park	26 November to 24 December 2022 Mon–Tue 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Thu–Sat 12:00 p.m.–00:30 a.m. Sun 12:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Generationenhaus (House of Generations)	1 December 2022 to 28 January 2023 Malso pop up Thu–Fri 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Sat 2:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Café Bar Mon–Sat 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Tipp

We recommend all Christmas fans to check our website Bern.com/weihnachten regularly to find all the latest information on Bern’s Christmas attractions.

#1 Berner Sternenmarkt (Star Market Bern)

The trendy Christmas market on Kleine Schanze: In the festively decorated Christmas village, numerous little chalet-style stalls offering winter treats, hot drinks, and designer products invite you to do some Christmas shopping and linger for a bit. You’ll also come across a large fondue chalet, weather-proof lounges, a children's area with a carousel, and a fabulous view of the Parliament Building.

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#2 Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market

The traditional Christmas market with several decades of history: On Waisenhausplatz (Orphanage Square), festively decorated stalls offer candied almonds, star-shaped tree ornaments, cookie cutters, and many other gift ideas and souvenirs. With all the strolling, marvelling, and nibbling, you’ll be in the Christmas spirit in no time! The “Platzhirsch”, the “Morewurster” and Bern's breweries make sure you’re well fed and hydrated – perfect for all epicureans.

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#3 Bern Minster Christmas Market

A festive atmosphere far away from the hustle and bustle: Against the impressive backdrop of the Bern Minster, which has Switzerland's highest steeple at 100.6 metres, artisans from Bern and the surrounding areas display their unique items – all lovingly handmade in their own ateliers and sold by the makers themselves. And it is rumoured that the white mulled wine in the “Märitbeizli” is the best in town!

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#4 Minster terrace Artisan’s Market

Perfect for everyone who loves handicrafts: At the Christmas edition of the artisan's market on Minster terrace, local artisans and designers present their beautiful, carefully handcrafted products. You’ll have no trouble at all finding a gift or two for your godfather, mom, or sister. If you need a break from all the Christmas shopping, stop to enjoy the fantastic view of Europe's second greenest capital with the beautiful Aare river and its 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 (House of Generations)

The courtyard of the Berner Generationenhaus (Bern House of Generations) is just as cozy in winter as it is in summer, with wooden huts with warm blankets and even a “Plauderhüsli”, a special chatting hut to meet new people. And we all remember the pop up Malso Pop up from Loryplatz square – it’s making a guest appearance to serve tasty food and drinks: soup, mulled wine, open-faced raclette grilled cheeses, hot chocolate, freshly roasted marshmallows, and many other delicacies await. And we can guarantee that you will love the diverse winter programme.

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There are magical Christmas experiences in the entire destination Bern. Our tip: spend a day in Bern's Old City, benefit from one of the exclusive hotel offers, and discover the wonderful Christmas experiences around the capital the next day!

Huttwil Christmas Market

In the historic centre of the town of Huttwil, 60 minutes by train from Bern, you’ll find one of the largest, prettiest, and most romantic Christmas markets of the country. Step into a world of candlelight, music, fairy tales, festive treats, traditional craftsmanship, and good company. Lovingly decorated wooden huts and a choir singing Christmas carols complete the holiday idyll. What’s less traditional about it: this Christmas market takes place in the month of November only – but that just means you’ll be able to do your Christmas shopping extra early!

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Kambly Christmas Market

The Kambly Christmas Market in the idyllic Emmental village of Trubschachen, 40 minutes by train from Bern, is a real insider tip, a quaint Christmas village with many festively decorated chalets gathered around the Kambly Experience. Take a look around and browse the different regional culinary treats and handicrafts, then take a walk on the romantic lantern trail along the river Ilfis and enjoy the cozy winter atmosphere by the campfire.

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Ochlenberger Weihnachtsweg

If you’re in the mood for a relaxed stroll away from the holiday hustle and bustle, visit the Ochlenberg Christmas Trail between 6 December 2022 and 6 January 2023: Over the course of eight stations and about one hour, this 1.5-kilometre loop tells the well-known Christmas story, captivating visitors with the lovingly designed stations. It is particularly splendid in the evening, when the little wooden houses are lit up. Make sure you stop by the bistro on the Jordihof farm, which is the starting and finishing point of this Christmas experience, to warm your feet and fill your stomach with festive treats.

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Berchtoldshof Nativity Scene

Every year, the facade of the Berchtoldhof in Bätterkinden is turned into a 16-metre nativity scene. The figurines, décor and props are all hand-made! Visitors of all ages flock to Bätterkinden from far and wide to see the installation, which tells the Christmas story from a different perspective each year. It can be visited every day from 1 December 2022 to 6 January 2023 with no admission fee. The nativity scene sits 50 centimetres above ground, so it is also suited for children and people in wheelchairs.

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