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Montreux Christmas Market 2026

20 November – 24 December 2026 · Quays of Montreux (between the CGN landing stage and Place du Marché) · Free entry

Illuminated market hall (Marché couvert) on Place du Marché at night, with chalets and visitors in front (2016)
Photo: Luca Florio, CC BY-SA 3.0
Rotating, illuminated Ferris wheel of the Christmas market at night, long exposure (2016)
Photo: Luca Florio, CC BY-SA 3.0

Montreux Noël runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026. More than 150 chalets stand on the quays between the CGN landing stage and Place du Marché, about 200 metres from the station. The stalls open at 11:00 Mon–Fri and at 10:00 Sat/Sun and close between 20:00 and 22:00 depending on the day, the restaurants at 23:00. Every evening Father Christmas flies over the market, and the MOB cog railway takes you to his house on the Rochers-de-Naye. The market has been held since 1995.

At a glance

Dates
20 Nov – 24 Dec
Location
Quays of Montreux (between the CGN landing stage and Place du Marché)
Entry
free
Official website

What to expect

  • Father Christmas in flight

    Mon–Fri at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00, and Sat/Sun also at 16:00, Father Christmas glides over the quays with his reindeer. Free.

  • Father Christmas's house

    By cog railway to 2042 metres in around 55 minutes. Children meet Father Christmas and receive a present.

  • Fondue and raclette by the lake

    The chalet restaurants serve fondue in several variations, Raclette du Valais AOP, rösti and cheese on toast.

  • Cruise to watch the flight

    The Belle Époque ship «Vevey» sails to Villeneuve and back in 45 minutes, with a view of the flying Father Christmas.

Dates and opening hours 2026

  • Illuminated market hall (Marché couvert) on Place du Marché at night, with chalets and visitors in front (2016)
    Photo: Luca Florio, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Montreux Noël

    Quays of Montreux (between the CGN landing stage and Place du Marché) · since 1995 · over 150 chalets

    20 November – 24 December 2026

    More than 150 chalets line Lake Geneva, with crafts, jewellery, candles and wooden goods, plus waffles, crêpes and mulled wine. The chalet restaurants serve fondue, raclette and rösti. In the evening Father Christmas flies over the crowd, and a Ferris wheel turns on Place du Marché.

    Opening hours

    • Monday – Wednesday11:00–21:00
    • Thursday, Friday11:00–22:00
    • Saturday10:00–22:00
    • Sunday10:00–20:00

    24 December: chalets and restaurants 11:00–17:00 · Restaurants otherwise daily 11:00–23:00 · Takeaway closes 1 hour after the chalets

    Source: Montreux Noël, checked on 20 October 2026

Christmas in Montreux

  • Croisière du Père Noël Volant

    New: 45-minute cruise on the decorated Belle Époque ship «Vevey» from Montreux via Chillon Castle to Villeneuve and back, with a view of the flying Father Christmas. Sailings on 21 and 28 November and on 5, 12 and 19 December 2026; ticket required.

    Source: Montreux Noël, checked on 18 October 2026

Good to know

  • Earlier closing on 24 December

    Chalets and restaurants close at 17:00. Father Christmas flies at 16:00 and 17:00 on that day.

  • Quietest days

    Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are the quietest. On Saturday it is worth going in the morning; at weekends the chalets open at 10:00.

  • Without cash

    Payment is by card or Twint, with cash only in the restaurants and at the mulled wine stand New Bretzel. Cups carry a deposit of CHF 2.

  • Book Father Christmas's house

    Places are limited, and tickets are available from the MOB. The organiser advises against it for children under 3 because of the altitude.

How to get there

  • Montreux NoëlAbout 200 m from Montreux station (according to the organiser), around 5 minutes' walk downhill to the quays. SBB RailAway offer: 50% off the rail journey, plus a souvenir mug with mulled wine or tea and a pretzel.

Questions and answers

When is the Montreux Christmas market 2026?
Montreux Noël: 20 November – 24 December 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Montreux Christmas market?
Montreux Noël is open Monday – Wednesday 11:00–21:00, Thursday, Friday 11:00–22:00, Saturday 10:00–22:00, Sunday 10:00–20:00.
Is there an entry fee for the Montreux Christmas market?
No, entry is free.
How do I get to the Montreux Christmas market?
About 200 m from Montreux station (according to the organiser), around 5 minutes' walk downhill to the quays. SBB RailAway offer: 50% off the rail journey, plus a souvenir mug with mulled wine or tea and a pretzel.
Where is the best place to see the flying Father Christmas?
According to the organiser, on the quays between the Freddie Mercury statue and the Ferris wheel. He starts between the CGN landing stage and Place du Marché. He flies in the rain; only a storm or strong wind leads to cancellation.
When does the boat to the flying Father Christmas sail?
The round trip on the Belle Époque ship «Vevey» starts at the Montreux landing stage and sails without a stop past Chillon Castle to Villeneuve and back. In 2026 it sails on 21 and 28 November, on 5, 12 and 19 December and from 21 to 23 December, each time at 15:45, 16:45, 17:45 and 18:45. Adults pay CHF 49 and children aged 6 to 15 CHF 29; reservation required.
Is there anything for Christmas at Chillon Castle too?
Yes, the castle celebrates «Noël médiéval» on three weekends: 28–29 November, 5–6 and 12–13 December 2026, 10:00–17:00 each day, with music, dance and crafts as in the Middle Ages. There is an admission charge for the castle.

More Christmas markets nearby

More Christmas markets in the canton of Vaud

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

Vaud3 markets

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