NOTE: This Montreux Christmas Market guide was written after my visit in 2017, but has been updated with the most recent info and dates I could find online. Do note that some details/locations may differ year to year though, so let me know in the comments if you notice anything inaccurate.

The Montreux Christmas Market in Switzerland, known locally as Montreux Noël, is hands down one of the most magical Christmas markets you can visit in Switzerland, and Europe in general.

Located along the shores of Lake Geneva, this market combines Christmas magic with a glittering blue lake, Canadian maple syrup, and a statue of Freddie Mercury. Literally a cookbook recipe for Christina enthusiasm!

The craziest part? I fell in love with this market despite missing like, 90% of the cool things it has to offer.

I mean for instance, did you know that the Montreux Christmas Market has a special ‘guest of honour’ country every year with own pavilion at the market?

Or, that they have an actual Santa dude glide across the sky every night?

Or that you can visit Santa’s secret cave hideout in the mountains, accessible only by a badass cogwheel train?

OR that there is literally a medieval themed Christmas market a bus ride away, at a real life Disney castle?!?!

… I certainly didn’t. I was actually just excited to see all the pretty stalls along the water…

SO, to ensure you don’t miss out as much as I did, here is a lengthy guide to the wonders of Montreux Noël, AKA the Montreux Christmas Market, definitely one of the most underrated and surprising of all the Swiss Christmas Markets I’ve visited.

Montreux Christmas Market (Montreux Noël): Important Must-Knows

If you’re contemplating your own trip to see the all-too-underrated Montreux Christmas Market, here is some basic information to get you started.

Where is Montreux?

Montreux is an idyllic little town in Northwestern Switzerland located along Lake Geneva.

Long known as a preferred escape for the affluent and artistic alike, Montreux is the epitome of picturesque perfection, from its mountainous backdrop (usually tinted with fresh snow) to its glittery blue waters.

It’s little wonder why this town has acted as a muse for many of the world’s greatest artists, including Lord Byron and Freddie Mercury, who came to Montreux to record the Queen album ‘Jazz’, and decided to stay because he loved it so much.

Today, Montreux is known for its famous music festival, and of course, its perfect lakeside Christmas market.

How to Get to Montreux

The nearest airport to Montreux is the Geneva Cointrin Airport, which is about an hour away by car/train and services many international routes.

Those looking to make a quick escape to Montreux needn’t worry though – this town is extremely well-connected to the rest of the country’s major transport hubs by train, and the markets aren’t far from the train station either, making the commute sufficiently less painful than you might imagine.

If coming from within Europe, be sure to use Omio to compare/book transport options. It’s a free tool that shows you the different ways to get from Point A to Point B and lets you sort based on price, times and convenience. It’s super simple and I’d highly recommend it to find the best deal!

Montreux Christmas Market (Montreux Noël) Dates

The official dates for the Montreux Christmas Market this year are from November 23 to December 24, 2023, so make sure to organize your visit before Christmas!

Montreux Christmas Market (Montreux Noël) Hours

For your trip, it’s important that you take note of the fact that hours for Montreux Noël vary for the different activities and especially for artisans/traders vs. food and beverage vendors.

Hours for the Montreux Lakeside Christmas Market and Lumberjack Village

Artisans and traders opening hours:

Monday: 11am – 8pm
Tuesday: 11am – 8pm
Wednesday: 11am – 9pm
Thursday: 11am – 9pm
Friday: 11am – 10pm
Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Sunday: 10am – 8pm

***24 December: 11 am – 5 pm

Food and beverage opening hours:

Monday: 11am – 10pm
Tuesday: 11am – 10pm
Wednesday: 11am – 11pm
Thursday: 11am – 11pm
Friday: 11am – 11pm
Saturday: 10am – 11pm
Sunday: 10am – 10pm

***24 December: 11 am – 5 pm

Bar des Étoiles Opening Hours

Monday: 5pm – 12pm
Tuesday: 5pm – 12pm
Wednesday: 5pm – 12pm
Thursday: 5pm – 12pm
Friday: 5pm – 1am
Saturday: 12am – 1am
Sunday: 12am – 12pm

*** CLOSED ON DECEMBER 24 ***

Hotels near Montreux Christmas Market

Looking for the perfect hotel to complete your Montreux Xmas market adventure? Here are some suggestions for you, all within close distance to the Christmas magic.

Budget Option: For a budget-friendly stay in Montreux, the Hotel Parc & Lac is located right by the train station, within easy walking distance to the lake (and its Christmas market). With many room options under 100 euros, this is a total bargain here in Switzerland. Click here to check reviews and availability.

Mid-Range Option: For a taste of luxury in Montreux without the price tag, check out the Eurotel Montreux, which offers glittering lake views for less than 150 euros a night. Due to its lakeside location, it’s very very close to the main Montreux Christmas market, and offers that luxurious lake feel without breaking the bank. Click here to check reviews and availability.

Luxury Option: I’m a big fan of Fairmont properties and their timeless elegance, and the lakeside Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is no exception. This grand hotel is located right along the lake, and are so close to the Christmas market, they’re practically part of them. Last year (and likely this year too), they even had a special nighttime light projection show right on the hotel. This is definitely a special place to stay for your Montreux Xmas market trip if budget allows. Click here to check reviews and availability.

Montreux Christmas Market (Montreux Noël) Map + Locations Overview

There are numerous attractions and areas that group together to form the Montreux Christmas Market, and if you don’t come prepared, you might easily miss some key spots (just as I did!)

So, to help prepare you for your magical day of sightseeing, here are all the different locations and hotspots of the Montreux Christmas Market this year:

1. The Lakeside Promenade Montreux Christmas Market

Spanning 1km along the shores of Lake Geneva is the primary location of the Montreux Christmas Market, with over 170 chalet stalls selling everything you can imagine, from handmade crafts and gifts to food from all over the world.

This is THE #1 spot to check out if you’re visiting Montreux for Christmas because all of the main Yuletide festivities are clustered around here anyway… plus the lakeside location is just too stunning to pass up. I mean… just look!

2. The Esplanade on the Lake

In 2019, they introduced a new special light installation at the Montreux Christmas Market, right in front of the famous Freddie Mercury statue.

Basically, it’s an interactive attraction that allows you light up the world around you (literally) by burning some calories on a bike! The more you pedal, the more the trees and reindeer around you light up. Hopefully this is a cool attraction that will stay for the coming year.

… Seems like a pretty genius way to trick holidaymakers into exercising, so I’ll allow it (if only to make more space for chocolate).

3. The Elves’ Square, AKA the Children’s Kingdom

Opening Monday to Friday: 2pm – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 8pm

For those who will be visiting the Montreux Christmas Market with kids, a visit to the Elves’ Square is a must. This village can be found underneath the iconic market Ferris Wheel, offering a myriad of kid-friendly workshops for the fee of 10CHF each.

From candle-making and chocolate decorating, there are plenty of fun activities to keep you (and the kiddos) occupied. Wondering how to find this magical kid-friendly haven? Just look for Freddie Mercury, whose fist sorta points you in the right direction.

3. The Lumberjack Village

Known as the cozy meeting point of choice for most market visitors, the Lumberjack village is a scenic little part of the Montreux Christmas Market organized around a rustic log cabin serving up hot drinks and delicious treats like pizza and flammkuchen.

Need I say more? If you want a place to grab a casual bite to eat while soaking in the festive atmosphere, this would be it!

4. Santa’s Grotto

From Wednesday to Sunday throughout Montreux Noël, you can go visit Santa’s secret cave lair 2000m above ground at the Rochers-de-Naye. The only way up (without ice axes) is by cogwheel train, a fun experience in itself which will transport you straight to Santa.

PLUS, as a special for this year, apparently Santa’s Russian counterpart Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) will be in town too, so it’s like a two for one special.

NOTE: Booking is required, so click here for more details.

5. La Redoute House of Wishes

Wishing for something special this year? Well, Montreux Christmas Market has an entire HOUSE dedicated to wishes, so be sure to stop by La Redoute House of Wishes during your visit.

All wishes will be forwarded to Santa himself, who is too busy greeting guests in his mysterious mountain grotto to meet you in person, but I’m sure he (and his army and elf secretaries) are on it.

PS: Don’t miss the Flying Santa of Montreux’s Lakeside Promenade. This may be primarily for kids but even the most jaded of adults can’t deny the magic of a literal guy gliding across the sky in a Santa’s outfit right? Well, this enchanting display is on three times a day (5pm, 6pm & 7pm, plus 4pm on Saturdays), so make sure you don’t miss it. You’ll see him between the Lumberjack Village and the Place du Marché.

6. Medieval Christmas at the Château Chillon

And just an easy bus ride away from Montreux, you’ll find the fairytale Château Chillon which (as Disney fans will notice) is the real life version of Prince Eric’s castle from the Little Mermaid!

Besides its fairytale location, this Christmas market is also special because it’s medieval themed, with characters, artisans, entertainment and even cooking demos all available to zap you back in time.

What to Eat and Drink at Montreux Christmas Market: Must-Haves

One of the best parts of visiting any Christmas market is the food, and Montreux is no exception! Here are a few must-tries:

1. Food from the Guest of Honour Country

One of the most unique features of the Montreux Christmas Market is that they have a different Guest of Honour country every year that they spotlight with their own special section of the market!

Portugal was the guest country in 2017, Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2018, and the guest of honour in 2019 was none other than Russia.

2. Fondue

It’s a Swiss classic that can’t be missed – a delicious pot of melted cheese that you dunk bread and other goodies into.

This is primarily a sit-down food, but the perfect way to warm your soul from the inside out after a chilly day of Christmas explorations.

There will be plenty of places scattered around Montreux Christmas Market offering fondue, but La Poya and Heidi are two restaurants you can keep an eye out for. Click here for a list of restaurants at the Montreux Christmas Market.

3. Flammkuchen

Flammkuchen is one of my favourite Christmas market snacks.

Think of it as a crispy flatbread topped with creme fraiche, fried onions and bacon. It’s like a fancy little pizza that is every bit as addictive as it is comforting.

Just typing this, I’m salivating.

Make sure you indulge in some flammkuchen during your time in Montreux!

4. Vin Chaud (AKA Mulled Wine or Glühwein)

Of course, it should be no surprise that the official Christmas market drink – mulled wine, is a must have.

In French-speaking Montreux, you’ll find stalls selling it as “Vin Chaud”. I genuinely cannot imagine strolling through the markets without one of these bad boys in hand.

They truly make everything infinitely more delightful (and only partially because of the alcohol). Of course, there are non-alcoholic variations as well if you prefer!

5. Rösti

Also known as Kartoffelpuffers or Reibekuchen, Rösti are crispy golden hashbrowns which are amazing eaten plain or with a side of applesauce.

These are hands down one of my favourite Christmas market eats, and are perfect for a quick snack while walking around.

What to Buy at Montreux Christmas Market

Alright, hoping to do some shopping? Here are some cool gift ideas that are available at the Montreux Christmas Market:

Unique Glass Baubles

Of all the many, many, many goodies you can pick up at the Montreux Christmas Market, none is more photogenic than these hand-blown glass baubles, which you can see being created before your own eyes.

Badass Metallic Bookmarks

Another great, unique gift that caught my eye while exploring the Montreux Christmas Market were these special metallic bookmarks.

Coming in a variety of designs from fluffy feathers to badass dragons, skulls and the like, this is definitely the perfect gift for the avid reader in your life… or for yourself. Just look at them:

Local Products from the Vaud Region

And for the most authentically local gift possible, consider stocking up on local products from the Vaud Region.

From jams and wines to delicious spreads and honey, this would be the perfect foodie souvenir to bring home for yourself or for the hungry hordes of people waiting for you at home.

Any more questions about the Montreux Christmas Market?

I hope you enjoyed this Montreux Christmas Market review! It’s a big market with a lot of overwhelming options, so I hope this broke everything down nice and clearly for you. Have a magical trip!