Aarau Christmas Market 2026

3–20 December 2026 · Northern Graben and Schlossplatz, Aarau old town · Free entry

Advent i de Altstadt takes place on three weekends in 2026: 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20 December, in each case Thursday to Sunday. More than 20 huts stand on the northern Graben, and food and drink are available there and on Schlossplatz. The market is open Thu and Fri from 16:00 to 21:00, Sat from 10:00 to 21:00 and Sun from 10:00 to 19:00. The WunderBar with the fondue gondolas already opens on the two weekends before.

At a glance

Dates
3–20 Dec
Location
Northern Graben and Schlossplatz, Aarau old town
Entry
free
Official website

What to expect

  • Fondue in a gondola

    Heated, decorated gondolas for 6 to 8 people at the WunderBar of the Stadtwächter brewery on Schlossplatz.

  • Huts on the Graben

    More than 20 huts with regional crafts, gifts and treats. The offering changes daily and weekly.

  • Candle dipping in the market hall

    For the 50th time, young and old dip beeswax candles, from 27 November to 13 December in the Färbergässli.

  • Chlausauszug on 3 December

    The procession starts at 17:00 at the town church. On Schlossplatz St Nicholas hands out nuts, tangerines and chocolates.

Dates and opening hours 2026

  • Advent i de Altstadt

    Northern Graben and Schlossplatz, Aarau old town · over 20 huts

    3–20 December 2026

    A small Advent market on the northern Graben with more than 20 huts selling regional crafts, gifts and treats. On Schlossplatz there are the WunderBar with fondue gondolas and food stalls with bratwurst, Kaiserschmarrn and mulled wine, plus a children's carousel.

    Opening hours

    • Thursday, Friday16:00–21:00
    • Saturday10:00–21:00
    • Sunday10:00–19:00

    Only on three weekends, each Thu–Sun: 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20 December · Food and drink Thu/Fri until 22:00, Sat until 23:00, Sun until 21:00 · WunderBar with fondue gondolas also on 19–22 and 26–29 November

    Source: Advent i de Altstadt, checked on 20 October 2026

Good to know

  • Thursday to Sunday only

    The market is closed Monday to Wednesday. It is open on 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20 December.

  • Food and drink open later

    The food and drink venues are open until 22:00 Thu and Fri, until 23:00 Sat and until 21:00 Sun, so longer than the market stalls.

  • Gondolas already in November

    The WunderBar with the fondue gondolas already opens on 19–22 and 26–29 November. Places can be reserved online.

  • Night Shopping on 4 December

    The shops in the city centre are open until 21:00 that Friday.

How to get there

  • Advent i de AltstadtAbout 10 minutes' walk from Aarau station along Bahnhofstrasse to the Graben. The association recommends travelling by public transport.

Questions and answers

When is the Aarau Christmas market 2026?
Advent i de Altstadt: 3–20 December 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Aarau Christmas market?
Advent i de Altstadt is open Thursday, Friday 16:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–21:00, Sunday 10:00–19:00.
Is there an entry fee for the Aarau Christmas market?
No, entry is free.
How do I get to the Aarau Christmas market?
About 10 minutes' walk from Aarau station along Bahnhofstrasse to the Graben. The association recommends travelling by public transport.
Can you reserve a place in a fondue gondola?
Yes, via the reservation form on advent-aarau.ch. Depending on the group, the heated gondolas on Schlossplatz offer 6 to 8 seats, and they can also be hired for private events.
Where does the candle dipping take place?
In the market hall in the Färbergässli, from 27 November to 13 December 2026. It is the 50th Aarau candle dipping by insieme Aarau-Lenzburg. 100 g of beeswax costs CHF 4.50.

Give experiences for Christmas

A voucher for experiences all over Switzerland – straight to your inbox as a PDF.

Christmas vouchers