Swiss ActivitiesSwiss Activities

Einsiedeln Christmas Market 2026

27 November – 6 December 2026 · Klosterplatz and Hauptstrasse

Klosterplatz at night: illuminated abbey, Christmas tree, Marienbrunnen and market stalls with stars of light (2019)
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0
Illuminated stalls with Christmas decorations on Hauptstrasse at dusk
Photo: Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt
Illuminated market huts on the Hauptplatz at dusk, wet ground and remnants of snow (2017)
Photo: Chris.urs-o, CC BY-SA 3.0

In 2026 the Einsiedeln Christmas market lasts ten days, from 27 November to 6 December. More than 145 stalls stand along Hauptstrasse and on Klosterplatz in front of the abbey church. It is open Sun–Thu from 11:00 to 19:30, Fri and Sat until 21:00, and on the opening Friday only from 17:00. According to the organiser, the market is held on the second-largest church forecourt in Europe. The lower market entrance is two to three minutes' walk from the station.

At a glance

Dates
27 Nov – 6 Dec
Location
Klosterplatz and Hauptstrasse
Official website

What to expect

  • St Nicholas send-off

    On 28 November St Nicholas receives a blessing during the service and leaves the abbey church at 18:30.

  • Sea of lights on Klosterplatz

    On 5 December from 16:00, hundreds of candles burn for the Caritas campaign «Eine Million Sterne» (A Million Stars).

  • Lantern parade of the kindergartens

    On 1 December at 18:15 over 300 children sing their way through the market with lanterns and then sing in front of the abbey.

  • Nativity scene, panorama, gingerbread

    A diorama with 470 nativity figures, the Panorama Jerusalem and the gingerbread museum of the Schafbockbäckerei «Goldapfel».

Dates and opening hours 2026

  • Klosterplatz at night: illuminated abbey, Christmas tree, Marienbrunnen and market stalls with stars of light (2019)
    Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt

    Klosterplatz and Hauptstrasse · over 145 stalls

    27 November – 6 December 2026

    The stalls stretch up Hauptstrasse to Klosterplatz, where the big Christmas tree stands in front of the Baroque abbey church. Besides gifts, candles and gingerbread, there is a fairy-tale arena near Klosterplatz, candle dipping and a concert programme in the abbey and the Jugendkirche.

    Opening hours

    • Monday – Thursday11:00–19:30
    • Friday, Saturday11:00–21:00
    • Sunday11:00–19:30

    Opening day, Friday 27 November: open from 17:00 only

    Source: Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt, checked on 20 October 2026

Christmas in Einsiedeln

Good to know

  • Opening only in the evening

    On Friday 27 November the market does not open until 17:00. On all other days it starts at 11:00.

  • Travelling by train

    The organiser recommends going by train. On selected days the ZVV offers a direct connection from Zurich HB. Parking is not allowed on the Hauptplatz.

  • In bad weather

    The indoor Christmas market in the parish centre at Eisenbahnstrasse 24 is open daily during the market hours, with handmade goods.

  • Abbey tours

    Mon–Sat at 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 16:00. Tickets and meeting point at the Tourist Office Einsiedeln.

How to get there

  • Einsiedler WeihnachtsmarktThe lower market entrance is 2 to 3 minutes' walk from Einsiedeln station (according to the organiser), and it is about 10 minutes up Hauptstrasse to Klosterplatz. The organiser recommends travelling by train.

The coming years

YearOpensCloses
2027Fri, 26 NovemberSun, 5 December
2028Fri, 1 DecemberSun, 10 December
Source: Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt, Marktdaten

Questions and answers

When is the Einsiedeln Christmas market 2026?
Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt: 27 November – 6 December 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Einsiedeln Christmas market?
Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt is open Monday – Thursday 11:00–19:30, Friday, Saturday 11:00–21:00, Sunday 11:00–19:30.
How do I get to the Einsiedeln Christmas market?
The lower market entrance is 2 to 3 minutes' walk from Einsiedeln station (according to the organiser), and it is about 10 minutes up Hauptstrasse to Klosterplatz. The organiser recommends travelling by train.
When is the Einsiedeln Christmas market 2027?
26 November – 5 December 2027, as published by Einsiedler Weihnachtsmarkt, Marktdaten.
What is the St Nicholas send-off?
A service in the abbey church on Saturday 28 November at 17:30. During it St Nicholas receives the blessing, and at 18:30 he leaves the church. He listens to the children's little verses and hands out St Nicholas bags with a golden nut. According to the organiser, the church is full to the last seat each year.
Are there concerts during the market?
Yes, among others an anniversary church concert by the Jodlerklub Alpenrösli in the Jugendkirche on 29 November at 17:00 and, on 6 December at 15:00, Haydn's Theresienmesse with the Zürcher Sängerknaben in the abbey church. The full programme is in the organiser's brochure.

More Christmas markets nearby

More Christmas markets in the canton of Schwyz

2 more markets from the event calendars of municipalities, tourist offices and organisers, as of 18 October 2026

Schwyz2 markets

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