Swiss ActivitiesSwiss Activities

Schaffhausen Christmas Market 2026

20 November – 13 December 2026 · 2 markets

Vordergasse by the church of St. Johann in Advent at night, with fairy lights in the tree and above the lane (2018)
Photo: Lidija und Plutowiki, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sky of lights above Vordergasse in the evening, passers-by with umbrellas (Advent 2018)
Photo: Matti und Plutowiki, CC BY-SA 4.0

In 2026 the Schaffhausen Christmas market lasts one weekend: Saturday 12 December, 11:00–19:00, and Sunday 13 December, 11:00–18:00. More than 100 stalls stretch from Vordergasse via Münstergasse into the cloister at Allerheiligen, which is over 800 years old and, according to the organiser, the largest cloister in Switzerland. From 20 to 22 November a medieval Christmas market also takes place at the Rhine Falls, for the first time on Schloss Laufen and in the Schlössli Wörth, with free admission.

At a glance

Dates
20 Nov – 13 Dec
Markets
Schaffhauser Weihnachtsmarkt, Mittelalter Weihnachtsmarkt am Rheinfall
Official website

What to expect

  • Wooden stalls in the cloister

    In the cloister and the Pfalzhof there are only matching wooden stalls, with more stalls in front of the Minster and on Münstergasse.

  • Crafts as gifts

    The 2026 exhibitors include a glassblowing workshop, woodturners, candle and soap makers, and silversmiths and goldsmiths.

  • Middle Ages at the Rhine Falls

    Archery, a hand-cranked carousel, jugglers and a storyteller at Schloss Laufen and in the Schlössli Wörth, 20 to 22 November.

  • By ferry below the Rhine Falls

    During the medieval market the Rhine ferry links the two castles, and adults pay CHF 3 per trip.

Dates and opening hours 2026

  • Schaffhauser Weihnachtsmarkt

    Cloister and monastery precinct of Allerheiligen, Münstergasse, Vordergasse · over 100 stalls

    12–13 December 2026

    In the cloister of the Allerheiligen monastery, which is over 800 years old, there are matching wooden stalls, with more in the Pfalzhof, in front of the Minster and along Münstergasse as far as Vordergasse. The 2026 exhibitor list names over 100 stalls, many with crafts such as glassblowing, turned wood goods or candles.

    Opening hours

    • Saturday11:00–19:00
    • Sunday11:00–18:00

    Source: Schaffhauser Weihnachtsmarkt, checked on 18 October 2026

  • Mittelalter Weihnachtsmarkt am RheinfallNew on two castles

    Schloss Laufen (Dachsen ZH) and Schlössli Wörth (Neuhausen am Rheinfall)

    20–22 November 2026

    Traders and craftspeople sell stones and jewellery, leather goods, garments and mead, and there is mulled wine, hot mead, Baumstriezel and Chäsfüess. The market is now spread over Schloss Laufen and the Schlössli Wörth, linked by the Rhine ferry below the waterfall. Admission is free.

    Opening hours

    • Friday17:00–22:00
    • Saturday10:00–22:00
    • Sunday10:00–17:00

    Market outdoors in all weathers · Rhine ferry between the castles during market hours: adults CHF 3, children aged 6–15 CHF 2 (single trip)

    Source: Turnei, Mittelalter Weihnachtsmarkt am Rheinfall 2026, checked on 20 October 2026

Good to know

  • Only two market days

    The Christmas market in the old town runs only from 12 to 13 December. On Sunday it closes as early as 18:00.

  • Without a car

    According to the organiser, it is under 5 minutes' walk from Schaffhausen station. The whole site is car-free during market hours.

  • To the market at the Rhine Falls

    By S12 or S33 to «Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall»; from the station a lift takes visitors straight to the market in the castle.

  • Steps at the ferry

    The landing stage at Schloss Laufen can only be reached by natural stone steps, which is not possible with a pushchair or wheelchair.

How to get there

  • Schaffhauser WeihnachtsmarktAccording to the organiser, under 5 minutes on foot from Schaffhausen station; for drivers, the Herrenacker, Herrenacker Süd and Stricki car parks.
  • Mittelalter Weihnachtsmarkt am RheinfallBy S12 or S33 to «Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall», from the station by lift directly into the castle; to the Schlössli Wörth it is about 8 minutes' walk from Neuhausen Rheinfall station. Between the castles, take the Rhine ferry or walk across the SBB bridge.

Questions and answers

When is the Schaffhausen Christmas market 2026?
Schaffhauser Weihnachtsmarkt: 12–13 December 2026. Mittelalter Weihnachtsmarkt am Rheinfall: 20–22 November 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Schaffhausen Christmas market?
Schaffhauser Weihnachtsmarkt is open Saturday 11:00–19:00, Sunday 11:00–18:00.
How do I get to the Schaffhausen Christmas market?
According to the organiser, under 5 minutes on foot from Schaffhausen station; for drivers, the Herrenacker, Herrenacker Süd and Stricki car parks.
How do I get from one castle to the other at the Rhine Falls?
During market hours the Rhine ferry runs between Schlössli Wörth and Schloss Laufen: adults CHF 3 single or CHF 6 return, children aged 6 to 15 CHF 2 or 4, younger children free. On foot the route leads across the SBB bridge, which according to the organiser takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your pace.

More Christmas markets nearby

More Christmas markets in the canton of Schaffhausen

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

Schaffhausen2 markets

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