Einsiedeln Christmas Market 2026: Dates, Hours & How to Get There
Einsiedeln is the Christmas market to choose if the big-city markets feel too busy. For ten days only, wooden chalets fill the square in front of an enormous baroque Benedictine abbey that has drawn pilgrims for more than a thousand years. It's small, traditional and very Swiss, and it's an easy day trip from Zurich or Lucerne.
Map: Einsiedeln Christmas market and the hotels around it
| Market | 2026 dates | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Einsiedeln Christmas Market (Abbey square) | Nov 27 – Dec 6 | Fri 17:00–21:00, Sat 11:00–21:00, Sun–Thu 11:00–19:30 |
Plan your visit
- Dates: November 27 to December 6, 2026. It's short, so plan around it.
- Hours: Friday 17:00–21:00, Saturday 11:00–21:00, Sunday to Thursday 11:00–19:30.
- Best time: arrive mid-afternoon, see the abbey church in daylight, then stay for the market lights. Saturday evening has the most atmosphere; weekdays have the most space.
- Getting there: about an hour by train from Zurich, usually with one change. The market is a short walk uphill from the station.
Don't miss
- The abbey church: one of the most ornate baroque interiors in Switzerland, home to the famous Black Madonna. Entry is free; be quiet during services.
- Einsiedler Schafböcke: the town's traditional gingerbread-like biscuits, stamped with pictures, a perfect edible souvenir.
- The abbey square at dusk: the chalets glow in front of the huge twin-towered façade. It's the photo of the trip.
Where to stay
Most visitors come for the day and sleep in Zurich or Lucerne. If you'd like to stay overnight and see the square once the day-trippers have gone, the map above shows live prices for the few hotels in town.
Warm up
Einsiedeln sits in the hills above Lake Zurich. For a spa night, the Lake Lucerne side of the canton of Schwyz is about an hour away:
Swiss Holiday Park
Morschach · Schwyz
Family resort above Lake Lucerne with a wellness area and indoor water park.
Check rates & availability →Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort
Bürgenstock · Nidwalden
Clifftop resort with a 10,000 m² Alpine Spa and an infinity pool over Lake Lucerne.
See rates nearby →FAQ
When is the Einsiedeln Christmas market in 2026?
November 27 to December 6, 2026: Friday 17:00–21:00, Saturday 11:00–21:00, and Sunday to Thursday 11:00–19:30.
How do I get to Einsiedeln from Zurich?
By train in about an hour, usually with a change in Wädenswil or Biberbrugg. The market is a short walk from the station.
Is the Einsiedeln Christmas market worth it?
Yes, if you want a traditional, less touristy market. The baroque abbey behind the chalets makes it one of the most beautiful settings in the country.