Montreux Christmas market 2026: dates and opening hours
Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December 2026. Free entry. On the lakeside quays, 200 m from Montreux station.
Opening hours
| Day | Chalets (artisans and merchants) | Restaurants |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 – 21:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 – 21:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 – 21:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00 – 22:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 – 22:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 22:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 20:00 | 11:00 – 23:00 |
| Thursday 24 December | 11:00 – 17:00 | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Takeaway food and drink stands close one hour after the chalets. Restaurants take last orders 30 minutes before closing. The market stays open in rain or snow.
Flying Santa: times
| Day | Flights |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 |
| 24 December | 16:00, 17:00 |
Santa takes off between the CGN boat landing stage and the Market Square. The organiser recommends standing on the quay between the Freddie Mercury statue and the Ferris wheel. The show is free and also runs in the rain.
What is free and what needs a ticket
- Free
- The quays, the chalets and the street entertainment, including the Flying Santa.
- Ferris wheel
- CHF 8, on the Market Square.
- Santa’s House
- At Rochers-de-Naye, 2,042 m. One package covers the cogwheel train from Montreux station (about 55 minutes each way) and the visit. Allow about 1.5 hours on site on weekdays and up to 3 hours at weekends, train not included. Not recommended under 3 years old because of the altitude. Tickets have been on sale since 15 September 2026.
- Santa’s Flying Cruise
- A 45-minute loop by boat from Montreux past Chillon Castle to Villeneuve and back, with a ticket.
Getting there
The station is 200 m from the market and the organiser recommends the train. By car, follow the signs to the park-and-ride car parks; free shuttles run at weekends. On 3 October 2026 the organiser had not yet published the 2026 details for cars and special trains. See also parking in Montreux.
Paying
The market is cashless: card or Twint. Cash is accepted only in the restaurants and at one mulled-wine stand. All cards are accepted except American Express. With cash only, you can load a prepaid QR card at the Info Point. Cups carry a CHF 2 deposit, returned at the dedicated stands.
When to go
The organiser names Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays as the quiet days. Weekends are very busy; on a Saturday, come in the morning. Strollers are fine on the flat quays, dogs are allowed on a short lead, and the quays are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Restaurants take reservations only for groups of 8 or more.
The market in figures
The organiser reports 31 editions, 176 chalets and 650,000 visitors.