Zurich transforms into a veritable wonderland during the Christmas season. In addition to its classic decorations and light installations, the city boasts a number of Christmas markets, cozy fondue chalets, traditional events such as candle dipping at rkliplatz, and the “rlitram” fairy tale tram. This year, the city will also welcome a number of pop-up experiences for the Christmas season, including temporary chalets serving fondue and mulled wine, as well as a new unique hotel experience called Hotel Noel. 360 Magazine is getting in the spirit for the best time of the year.
A new creative pop-up hotel experience running between November 26 and December 26, 2021, Hotel Noel features 10 rooms in 10 hotels individually designed by different artists, reflecting creative contemporary interpretations of the Christmas season. Participating hotels include the renowned Hotel Storchen and the trendy 25hours Hotel, with rooms transformed by contemporary artists, illustrators, and video designers, all of whom have a connection to Zurich. International story collector Sebastian Utzni is transforming a room at Glockenhof Zurich into an oasis of calm during the Advent season, creating a space called “Sky is the Limit.” At the pop-up Hotel Krone, sculptor Martina von Meyenburg will present “The Broken Angels of the Krone,” featuring 28 ephemeral angels in varied artistic forms.
Other pop-up experiences include Christmas Island, taking place from November 18 to December 23, 2021, serving up the best-mulled wine in town, as well as open-air dinners with specialties such as raclette and fondue made with Prosecco. Hotel Sedaris is hosting a pop-up Winterlounge from November 11 to December 23, a chalet offering spicy mulled wine and a hearty Swiss barley broth.
Other highlights of the Christmas season include the Christkindlimarkt at Zurich Main Station, one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe, featuring a 32-foot Christmas tree decorated with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. Another Christmas market favorite is the Christmas Market Dorfli in the Niederdorf, an open-air winter village offering fondue and raclette, artisanal crafts, and a magical, old-world ambiance. Additional attractions include ice skating rinks (including one at the Dolder Grand hotel), fondue experiences (served under the stars or in an Tuk Tuk), and Toboggan runs.
For more details on Christmas in Zurich, visit www.zuerich.com/christmas.
