The Montreux Christmas Market — Marché de Noël de Montreux — runs along the lakeside promenade from 20 November to 24 December 2026,[1] with more than 150 decorated chalets facing Lake Geneva and the Alps.[1] It is one of Europe's most atmospheric winter markets, and the 2026 edition adds a new signature attraction on the water.
Market at a glance — 2026
- Dates
- 20 November – 24 December 2026
- Location
- Lakeside promenade (Quais), Montreux centre
- Duration
- ~35 days
- Entry
- Free
- Attractions
- Santa's Flying Cruise, Flying Santa, Ferris Wheel, Santa's House
- Busiest
- Weekends and evenings, 24 December
What's new in 2026: the new Santa's Flying Cruise, a Belle Époque boat dressed in holiday decorations, joins the daily Flying Santa crossing over the lake, the Ferris Wheel on the Market Square and Santa's House at the summit of Rochers-de-Naye.[1]
Short answer: Montreux Christmas Market 2026 runs 20 November – 24 December 2026 along the lakeside promenade — free to enter, with 150+ chalets, the Flying Santa, a Ferris Wheel and a Santa's House on Rochers-de-Naye.[1]
Photo: EconAmbiente, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In this guide
Montreux Christmas Market 2026: dates & opening hours
The 2026 edition is confirmed from 20 November 2026 to 24 December 2026.[1] The market is open daily, and stalls stay open later from Thursday to Saturday, with a shorter day on 24 December. Restaurants on site generally keep serving until midnight.
| Day | Artisans & merchants | Restaurants |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Wednesday | 11:00 – 21:00 | 11:00 – 24:00 |
| Thursday – Friday | 11:00 – 22:00 | 11:00 – 24:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 22:00 | 11:00 – 24:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 20:00 | 11:00 – 24:00 |
| 24 December | 11:00 – 17:00 | 11:00 – 17:00 |
What's new in 2026: attractions
Montreux Noël keeps expanding the experience beyond the stalls. Two on-the-lake attractions now headline the season:
- Santa's Flying Cruise: climb aboard a legendary Belle Époque boat, decked out in sparkling holiday decorations, to watch the Flying Santa spectacle from the water on Lake Geneva.[1]
- Flying Santa: Santa Claus crosses the sky over Montreux — the market's signature flying moment, best seen from the promenade between the CGN landing stage and the Market Square.[1]
On land, the Ferris Wheel on the Market Square offers a magical moment suspended between the sky and the lake,[1] and Santa's House takes you to meet the real Santa Claus at the summit of Rochers-de-Naye.[1]
Photo: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Quays: more than 150 chalets
The heart of the market is the lakeside promenade — the Quais — where more than 150 chalets offer a magical stroll along the lake.[1] Expect local crafts, decorations, gifts and Swiss specialities in a setting that is hard to beat: Christmas lights reflecting on Lake Geneva with the Alps behind.
Because the market is a short lakefront walk from central Montreux, Territet and Clarens, it is easy to visit later on a December evening and drift between stalls without a car.
Photo: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Food & drink: fondue, raclette and vin chaud
Swiss winter food is the point of a Montreux Christmas visit: cheese fondue, raclette, rösti, réstis and grilled specialities, washed down with vin chaud (mulled wine). Food-and-beverage takeaway stalls close an hour after the artisans, and on-site restaurants take last orders about half an hour before closing.[1] For a warm winter dinner with a lake view, the market's own restaurants and the grande terrasse at Le Safran are firm local favourites.
Tips: arrive early evening for a table, and budget CHF 15–30 for a fondue or raclette plate and CHF 6–9 for a cup of mulled wine.
Getting to the Christmas Market
The official advice is to leave the car behind: the market is only about 200 m from Montreux train station.[1]
- Train: Montreux station is a short flat walk from the Quais. An SBB RailAway offer gives a 50% discount on the rail journey, plus a voucher for 50% off a cup of mulled wine or Christmas tea and a pretzel.[1]
- VMCV bus: lines 201 and 204 run free at weekends from 1 p.m. until the end of service — a convenient way to reach Montreux Noël from along the Riviera.[1]
- Car: the official Park & Ride lots (Chailly and Saussaz) offer event parking for about CHF 8; expect the town centre itself to be closed to traffic during the market.
Guests staying in the area can also use the Montreux Riviera Card for free travel on the local public-transport network — a handy way to reach the market from nearby resorts.
Where to stay for the Christmas Market
The market runs along the promenade between the Casino and the Montreux Palace, so the closer you are, the easier it is to wander over on a December evening without relying on transport.
- Montreux Centre (lakefront): the most convenient — within five minutes' walk of the stalls, at the highest nightly rates of the season.
- Clarens: a 20–25 minute lakefront walk or short bus ride; better value, and the lit-up promenade is a pleasant approach.
- Territet: 10–15 minutes on foot or one train stop, slightly calmer than the Casino-side entrance in peak hours.
Whatever you choose, book early: the Christmas period is Montreux's second-busiest moment of the year after the Jazz Festival, and lakeside apartments sell out well in advance.
Book a lakeside apartment for the Christmas Market
RivieraHost manages luxury apartments in Montreux and Clarens — all within walking distance of the Christmas Market promenade. Direct booking, no platform fees.
Book a Lakeside Apartment →Related reading: The Montreux Riviera Card: free transport & discounts · 12 best places to visit in Montreux and Vevey · Luxury travel guide to Montreux & the Swiss Riviera · Montreux winter rental guide · Montreux Jazz Festival visitor guide
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Montreux Christmas Market in 2026?
The 2026 market runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026 along the Montreux lakeside promenade, open daily.
What are the opening hours of the Montreux Christmas Market?
Artisans & merchants are open roughly 11:00–21:00 (to 22:00 on Thursday–Friday, 10:00–22:00 on Saturday and 10:00–20:00 on Sunday); restaurants generally stay open to 24:00. On 24 December both close at 17:00.
Is the Montreux Christmas Market free?
Yes — entry to the lakeside promenade and its 150+ chalets is free. Some individual activities (such as the Ferris Wheel) have their own fees.
What's new at the Montreux Christmas Market in 2026?
The new Santa's Flying Cruise on a Belle Époque boat joins the daily Flying Santa over the lake, alongside the Ferris Wheel on the Market Square and Santa's House on Rochers-de-Naye.
How do I get to the Montreux Christmas Market?
The market is about 200 m from Montreux train station. Lines 201 and 204 of the VMCV bus run free on weekends from 1 p.m., and an SBB RailAway offer provides 50% off the train plus a mulled-wine voucher. Park & Ride lots are available for about CHF 8.
Where should I stay for the Montreux Christmas Market?
Montreux centre gives you the closest walk to the stalls; Clarens and Territet are slightly further but quieter and often better value. The Christmas period is Montreux's second-busiest of the year, so book early.
Sources
- Montreux Noël (Marché de Noël Montreux SA), official homepage, English edition — montreuxnoel.com/en
- Montreux Noël, official Transportation page, English edition — montreuxnoel.com/en/transport
Base yourself in Montreux
RivieraHost’s apartments sit steps from the lake — with kitchens, more space and better value than a hotel for families and groups. Every one is right on this guide’s doorstep.