Zurich events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Uetliberg, Lake Zürich and Burkliplatz boats, plus Bahnhofstrasse. December in Zurich averages 4°C / 39°F highs, 0°C / 31°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 4°C/39°F days and about 11 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Uetliberg★ 4.8 · 2.6k reviewsZürich's local mountain rises west of the city with forest trails, a lookout tower, ridge walks, and views over the lake and Alps.
- Lake Zürich and Burkliplatz boats★ 4.5 · 813 reviewsLake boats leave from Burkliplatz for short loops and longer trips toward Rapperswil, with mountain views on clear days.
- Delinquent HabitsDec 1Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Zurich in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
39°F / 31°F
4°C / -0.5°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
3.3in · 85mm
LightDaylight
8.3h
December is cold with Christmas markets, Bahnhofstrasse lights, and fondue evenings shaping the visit.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Zurich Christmas Market at Sechseläutenplatz
One of Zurich's largest and most popular Christmas markets, featuring festive stalls, crafts, food, and seasonal entertainment in the city center.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Wienachtsdorf Christmas Market at Bellevue
A charming Christmas village with artisan stalls, ice skating rink, and seasonal treats located at Bellevue square.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Zurich Opera House: December Season Performances
A series of opera and ballet performances held throughout December at the Zurich Opera House.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 23 events for December
- Dec 2
- Dec 2
- Dec 3
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 5
- Dec 5 – Dec 27
Kunsthaus Zurich: Special Winter Exhibition
A special exhibition featuring contemporary Swiss artists, running through December at Kunsthaus Zurich.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 7
- Dec 8
- Dec 10
- Dec 11
- Dec 12
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
Lichterschwimmen (Floating Lantern Festival)
An annual event where participants release floating lanterns on the Limmat river, creating a magical light spectacle.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 18
- Dec 19
Zurich Christmas Parade
A festive parade through Zurich's old town featuring music, costumes, and holiday cheer.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About Zurich
City overview
Zürich sits where Lake Zürich drains into the Limmat, with Altstadt, Niederdorf, Lindenhof, Enge, Kreis 4, Kreis 5, and Zürich-West mixing medieval lanes, banking streets, lake boats, art museums, nightlife, rail hubs, and Swiss day trips. The city is compact and expensive, but trams, lake ferries, river swimming, and fast trains make it a precise base rather than only a finance center.
Food & drink
Zürich food is Swiss-German and lake-city specific: Zuercher Geschnetzeltes cooks sliced veal in cream and mushroom sauce beside roesti, fondue and raclette cover the melted-cheese lane, birchermuesli is the local breakfast classic, and lake fish appears on Seefeld and waterfront menus. Niederdorf, Bahnhofstrasse confectioners, Viadukt Market Hall, Kronenhalle, Spruengli, Seefeld, and Langstrasse add sausages, Luxemburgerli, chocolate, and wine bars.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Bahnhofstrasse
- 2Kunsthaus Zürich
- 3Swiss National Museum
- 4Grossmünster
- 5Fraumünster
- 6St Peter Church
- 7Zürich-West and Viadukt
- 8Lindenhof
1Bahnhofstrasse
4.7★ · 1,073mixedThe shopping street runs from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to the lake, passing Paradeplatz, banks, department stores, luxury shops, and tram lines. Side lanes lead quickly into the old town.
Wikipedia
2Kunsthaus Zürich
4.7★ · 9,042indoorClosed MonThe art museum holds Swiss art, Giacometti, Hodler, Impressionists, modern works, and newer exhibition spaces near Heimplatz. It is walkable from Niederdorf and the university quarter.
Wikipedia
3Swiss National Museum
4.6★ · 9,881indoorClosed MonThe castle-like museum beside Hauptbahnhof covers Swiss cultural history, archaeology, crafts, weapons, textiles, and design. Its location makes it an easy arrival-day stop.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Grossmünster
- 5Fraumünster
- 6St Peter Church
Neighborhoods
1Altstadt and Niederdorf
Altstadt and Niederdorf are medieval and river-facing, with Grossmünster, cafes, guild houses, narrow lanes, bars, and Limmat bridges.
2Lindenhof and Bahnhofstrasse
Lindenhof and Bahnhofstrasse combine hilltop quiet, luxury shopping, Paradeplatz, St Peter, side lanes, and the main station approach.
3Seefeld and Bellevue
Seefeld and Bellevue are lake-oriented, with opera house, promenades, restaurants, parks, bathing areas, and tram links along the shore.
Day trips
55km / 45-50min by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof
Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, old town, lake boats, Swiss Museum of Transport, and Pilatus or Rigi links make the easiest full day.
50km / 50-60min by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or Neuhausen
Rhine Falls
Europe's largest waterfall has viewing platforms, boats, castles, and paths around the river basin.
40km / 35-45min by train or longer by lake boat from Burkliplatz
Rapperswil
Castle hill, rose gardens, lakefront, old town lanes, and boat returns make a lighter lake day.
Getting around
ZVV tickets cover trams, buses, S-Bahn, boats, funiculars, and regional trains by zone, with Zürich HB as the main rail hub. Use trams for the old town and lakefront, S-Bahn for Uetliberg and airport, and trains for Lucerne or Rhine Falls.
Planning a Zurich trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Zurich in December
- What to pack for Zurich in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Zurich checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 4°C / 39°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 0°C / 31°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Zurich
- 4 days covers the main Zurich highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Zurich worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Zurich averages 4°C / 39°F highs, 0°C / 31°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan Zurich?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Zurich plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.