As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, and as the aroma of gingerbread fills the air and those first tentative snowflakes are falling, it’s the time for the Christmas markets to open.
In fact, the many such markets held in the canton of Bern are a special feature of the region and most of them have a long tradition behind them. They not only offer a shopping experience, but they also focus on the traditional crafts.
Bern Region
There are two locations in the Swiss Capital where you can enjoy a romantic stroll against a unique backdrop of historic buildings. While on Orphanage Square there are all manner of things on sale at the market, at the market on Cathedral Square it is the handicrafts that take centre stage. Here you will find the perfect Christmas gift - with everything from hand-blown Christmas tree balls to exquisite wood carvings to choose from. The latest Christmas market in the city of Bern, the "Bern Starsmarket", is situated in the idyllic park called Kleine Schanze. With as many as 50,000 visitors each year, the Christmas market in the Oberaargau "Flower Town" of Huttwil is by far the largest and most popular in the Mittelland. And in the Emmental, a visit to the Kambly Christmas market is sure to draw you into a contemplative and reflective mood.
The Interlaken holiday region is home to countless Christmas markets, all just waiting to be discovered. Of these, the largest and best known are the markets on the Waisenhausplatz in Thun and the Experience Christmas Market in Brienz. Here, at ninety market stalls in a historic, festively decorated part of the village, there are regional products, artistic Christmas decorations and fine wood carvings on sale. And, through their nativity figures, you can also gain an insight into the work of the world-famous local woodcarvers. And likewise, let the Christmas market in Interlaken next to the Top of Europe work its magic on you.
This year, at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, there will once again be Christmas markets where you can enjoy a reflective and relaxing time, for example in Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. Christmas market Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau Region
Gstaad
During the pre-Christmas period, the Christmas market Saanen is a delightful place to spend time and explore.
Kandertal
The Christmas market at the Blausee in the Kandertal is definitely worth a visit. Here, there are 50 exhibitors offering regional products in a fairy-tale setting where the focus is more on the romance than on the carnival atmosphere. Christmas market at the Blausee, Kandersteg
Lenk
A festive atmosphere is very much the order of the day at the Christmas market at Lenk - so much so that even Santa Claus makes his appearance on a donkey. Christmas market, Lenk
