5 Bernese Highlights in December

Does it smell like mulled wine here? Mmh, December doesn‘t just take you to culinary heights: There are many new things to discover. For example, a hike through the wintry landscape on the Christmas Trail. So, put on your winter boots and trudge off to the December highlights.

Discover Creative Winter Pop Ups

Christmas in Bern is not just a time of reflection, but also one of colour, creativity, and lightheartedness, with all kinds of inviting winter pop ups. Be it in the lovingly styled courtyard of the Berner Generationenhaus (Bern House of Generations), at Øscår Elch in Ringgenpark, or with a dash of alpine romance at Chalet Alpenland on Kornhausplatz square: you can go by on any day of the week to find hot mules, mulled beer, punch, raclette, and many other winter treats. Enjoy! Oh, and if you prefer a more sophisticated version: visit the restaurant “Vierte Wand” between 4 and 11 December 2022 to indulge on oysters and champagne.

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    Grumbling stomach at the after work mulled wine and having vegans in the group? Gustavs Wintergarten also offers plant-based raclette!

Fondue Fun in Bern

Is there anything cozier than enjoying a fondue with friends or family on a cold winter evening? This Christmas season, Bern’s restaurants invite you to enjoy a festive fondue! If you’re in the city of Bern but in the mood for that alpine feeling, you can dine in cute, decorative “Gondeli” (cable cars) in front of the restaurants Marzilibrücke or Lötschberg, among others. Adventurous foodies can try the gin fondue from the Matte neighbourhood or the Fondükscha, a fondue experience on four wheels. And if you’re longing for spectacular scenery and romantic winter landscapes, you can book a fondue on the rooftop terrace of the Kursaal Bern, on top of Mount Stockhorn, or in the idyllic Emmental valley.

Overview of the best fondue experiences

Bern’s Christmas Markets

Browsing for Christmas presents, drinking mulled wine, strolling among the stalls – the different Christmas markets in the destination Bern are a must for all Christmas fans! In the city, the traditional Christmas markets on Minster terrace and Waisenhausplatz square as well as the trendy Sternenmarkt (Star Market) on Kleine Schanze invite you to linger and discover. The best thing about them? All three have their own unique touch and specialities and are within walking distance from each other. We also highly recommend a trip to Huttwil, where you’ll find one of the largest, prettiest, and most romantic Christmas markets in all of Switzerland. And in the Emmental town of Trubschachen, the Kambly Experience enchants visitors of all ages with its lovingly decorated chalets.

Overview of all Christmas markets

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    Feeling cold after drinking mulled wine at the Christmas market but don’t want to go home just yet? Here are the best bars to enjoy a legendary evening inside.

Christmas Shopping under the Arcades

When looking for gifts, don’t forget to stop by the shops in Bern’s Old City after browsing the Christmas markets. The six kilometres of arcades and characteristic vaulted cellars make Christmas shopping here extra special. We especially recommend the lower part of the Old City – from the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) downwards – with its many charming boutiques, ateliers, and local shops. By the way: on 27 November 2022, the shops in the lower part of the Old City are open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the context of the 1st of Advent event, with many festive surprises in store (no pun intended).

Shopping Tips for Bern

Ochlenberger Christmas trail

If you fancy an atmospheric walk far away from all the hustle and bustle, stroll along the Ochlenberg Christmas Trail. The 1.5 Kilometer long circular path tells the Christmas story with eight subjects made of woolen figures. Visitors are captivated by the lovingly designed stations. The one hour Christmas experience is particularly impressive in the evening, when the little houses are illuminated. The "Hof-Beizli" on the Jordihof, the starting and finishing point of this Christmas experience, provides warm feet and something delicious for the stomach.

Start walking

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    There are plenty more events in Bern – take a look at our event calendar.

Christmas is just around the corner

Bern’s Christmas Markets

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