Swiss ActivitiesSwiss Activities

Rapperswil Christmas Market 2026

3–20 December 2026 · Old town

Row of market stalls under string lights on Hauptplatz, seen from above, in the evening (2010)
Photo: Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0
Illuminated stall with wooden toys on Hauptplatz at night, with the castle tower behind it (2010)
Photo: Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nativity scene with wooden figures and a Christmas tree on Fischmarktplatz in front of the Bürgerspital, in the evening with snow (2010)
Photo: Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Christkindlimärt Rapperswil-Jona takes place in 2026 on 13 days between 3 and 20 December, each time from Thursday to Sunday. The large market now lasts five days, from 9 to 13 December: over 200 stalls then stretch from the lakeshore along Marktgasse to Hauptplatz, according to Zürich Tourismus, one of the largest Christmas markets in Switzerland. On the weekends before and after there are around 100 vendors at the harbour and on Fischmarktplatz. It is open from 14:00 on weekdays and from 11:00 at the weekend, two minutes' walk from the station.

At a glance

Dates
3–20 Dec
Location
Old town
Official website

What to expect

  • Large market as far as Hauptplatz

    From 9 to 13 December, over 200 stalls stand in the old town, from the lakeshore along Marktgasse to the foot of the castle.

  • Fondue in the Hüttenzauber

    The chalet on Fischmarktplatz serves cheese fondue and mulled wine, until 24:00 on market days and until 22:00 on Sundays.

  • Fairy tales and candle dipping

    In the Bühlerallee, the Märchenkoffer tells stories in the fairy-tale tent (Märlizelt); next door, the Pfadi General Dufour scouts dip candles.

  • Plenty of handmade goods

    Wooden items, jewellery, soaps, knitwear and preserves, plus mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, raclette, crêpes and Magenbrot.

Dates and opening hours 2026

  • Row of market stalls under string lights on Hauptplatz, seen from above, in the evening (2010)
    Photo: Roland zh, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Christkindlimärt Rapperswil-JonaLarge market now lasts 5 days

    Old town: harbour and Fischmarktplatz; at the large market (9–13 December) from the lakeshore along Marktgasse to Hauptplatz · over 200 stalls at the large market, around 100 otherwise

    3–20 December 2026

    In the old town between Lake Zurich and the castle hill, many vendors sell handmade goods, from wooden items and jewellery to knitwear. There are also mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, raclette and fondue in the chalet on Fischmarktplatz. Children listen to fairy tales in the Märlizelt or dip candles in the Bühlerallee.

    Opening hours

    • Wednesday14:00–21:00
    • Thursday, Friday14:00–21:00
    • Saturday11:00–21:00
    • Sunday11:00–19:30

    Days off without a market: 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 December · Wednesday open on 9 December only · Hüttenzauber chalet until 24:00 on market days, Sun until 22:00

    Source: Rapperswil Zürichsee Tourismus, checked on 20 October 2026

Good to know

  • Note the days off

    There is no market on 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 December. On Wednesdays the market is open only on 9 December.

  • With children

    Fairy tales in the Märlizelt Sat/Sun and on 9 December at 14:30, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30. Candle dipping Fri 17:30–20:30, Sat/Sun from 11:00.

  • Last market day, 20 December

    From 18:00 the star singers walk in procession through the old town, and there is a nativity play beneath the castle steps. The organiser advises against coming by car.

  • Without a car

    Fischmarktplatz and the lake promenade are a two-minute walk from Rapperswil station, Hauptplatz about 5 minutes. Parking spaces are scarce.

How to get there

  • Christkindlimärt Rapperswil-JonaFischmarktplatz and the lake promenade are a two-minute walk from Rapperswil station (according to the organiser), Hauptplatz about 5 minutes. Parking spaces are scarce and chargeable; on 20 December the organiser advises against coming by car.

Questions and answers

When is the Rapperswil Christmas market 2026?
Christkindlimärt Rapperswil-Jona: 3–20 December 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Rapperswil Christmas market?
Christkindlimärt Rapperswil-Jona is open Wednesday 14:00–21:00, Thursday, Friday 14:00–21:00, Saturday 11:00–21:00, Sunday 11:00–19:30.
How do I get to the Rapperswil Christmas market?
Fischmarktplatz and the lake promenade are a two-minute walk from Rapperswil station (according to the organiser), Hauptplatz about 5 minutes. Parking spaces are scarce and chargeable; on 20 December the organiser advises against coming by car.
How does the large market differ from the weekends?
From 9 to 13 December the large market, with over 200 stalls, runs from the lakeshore along Marktgasse to Hauptplatz. On the weekends before (3–6 December) and after (17–20 December) there is a smaller edition with around 100 vendors at the harbour and on Fischmarktplatz.
What is star singing?
A custom in Rapperswil's old town: on Sunday 20 December 2026, from 18:00, the procession of star singers moves through the lanes, and a nativity play is performed beneath the castle steps on Hauptplatz.

More Christmas markets nearby

More Christmas markets in the canton of St. Gallen

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

St. Gallen21 markets
Raiffeisen Weihnachtsmarkt21 November 2026Goldach · 21–22 NovemberAdventsmarkt Neu St. Johann21 November 2026Neu St. Johann · 21–22 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt21 November 2026Sevelen · 21 NovemberRaiffeisen Weihnachtsmarkt21 November 2026Tübach · 21 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt Wittenbach24 November 2026Wittenbach · 24 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt26 November 2026Schänis · 26 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt Kunsthandwerk Ostschweiz27 November 2026Bazenheid · 27–29 NovemberChristkindlimarkt28 November 2026Sargans · 28–29 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt Schmerikon28 November 2026Schmerikon · 28–29 NovemberAdventsmarkt28 November 2026Vättis · 28 NovemberBalger Weihnachtsmarkt29 November 2026Balgach · 29 NovemberAdventsmarkt Goldingen29 November 2026Eschenbach · 29 NovemberWeihnachtsmarkt29 November 2026Pfäfers · 29 November – 6 DecemberWeihnachtsmarkt4 December 2026Untereggen · 4 DecemberWerdenberger Weihnachtsmarkt5 December 2026Grabs · 5 DecemberKlaus- und Weihnachtsmarkt5 December 2026Lichtensteig · 5–6 DecemberWeihnachtsmärtli5 December 2026Oberriet · 5 DecemberKlausmarkt5 December 2026Widnau · 5 DecemberWeihnachtsmarkt18 December 2026Altstätten · 18–20 DecemberChristbaumverkauf mit kleinem Weihnachtsmarkt19 December 2026Wangs · 19 DecemberWattwiler Weihnachtsmarkt19 December 2026Wattwil · 19–20 December

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