Guides · Zurich
Zurich in December: Lake Walks, Alpine Trips & Swiss Treats
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Zurich in December is cold, often foggy and lit up for the holidays. Daytime highs hover around 3-5°C, and the city can sit under a grey layer of fog for days while the mountains nearby bask in sunshine. This guide covers 5 things to do in Zurich in December beyond the usual city sights: a lakeside day trip, a choir-filled Christmas tree, open-air skating, a winter day in the Alps and a stop for Swiss chocolate.
Each entry includes the exact address, the nearest tram stop or train connection from Zürich HB, its distance from the city centre, and a practical Pro Tip. Prices are given in Swiss francs (CHF) with euro equivalents, at roughly CHF 1 to €1.05. Every journey in this guide is covered by the ZVV transit network or Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
Two entries are in the city and make a good evening pairing, Lindt Home of Chocolate is a short train ride along the lake, and Rapperswil and Rigi each need half a day or more. Keep Rigi for the clearest day of your trip, since the views depend on the weather. Daylight ends around 16:40, so start day trips early.
Check dates for Zurich
See what is available on your dates.
1Rapperswil - Lakeside Old Town and a Wooden Pilgrims' Bridge
Rapperswil sits on a small peninsula on the upper part of Lake Zurich and is known as the Rosenstadt, the town of roses, for its many rose gardens. Its car-free old town climbs up to a 13th-century castle that looks out over the lake to the Alps. In December the arcaded lanes are decorated for the season, and the lakefront promenade is quiet and peaceful.
From the town, a wooden footbridge stretches about 840 metres across the lake to Hurden. It was rebuilt in 2001 along the line of a medieval bridge used by pilgrims on their way to the monastery of Einsiedeln, and walking it at dusk, with water on both sides, is one of the best lake walks in the region. Trains back to Zurich run every 15-30 minutes.
2Singing Christmas Tree - Carols on Werdmühleplatz
Every Advent, a tree-shaped stage on Werdmühleplatz becomes the Singing Christmas Tree, with school, church and community choirs standing on its tiers to sing carols to the crowd below. Several short performances usually take place each day, especially in the evenings and at weekends, and they are free to watch. With the singers lit up against the dark, it is one of Zurich's most charming December traditions.
December also brings Zurich's own festive customs. On 6 December, Samichlaus (Saint Nicholas) visits children, and bakeries sell Grittibänz, sweet bread shaped like little men, and Tirggel, thin honey biscuits pressed with pictures, a Zurich speciality for centuries. Both make good edible souvenirs to pick up on the way to the square.
3Dolder Ice Rink - Open-Air Skating Above the City
The Dolder ice rink sits in the wooded hills above the city and is one of the largest open-air rinks in Europe. It usually opens from late October to early March, and skating here under the evening lights, with the forest around you, is a favourite Zurich winter outing. Skates can be rented on site, and entry usually costs around CHF 8-10 (about €8-10).
Getting there is part of the fun. The Dolderbahn, a short rack railway, climbs from Römerhof to the Dolder area in a few minutes. On clear days, the slopes above the rink have views over the city to the lake and the Alps, and walking trails lead into the Adlisberg forest.
Check dates for Zurich
See what is available on your dates.
4Rigi - A Winter Day on the Queen of the Mountains
Known as the Queen of the Mountains, Rigi stands at 1,797 metres between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, with views over 13 lakes and a long line of Alpine peaks. Its Vitznau-Rigi railway, opened in 1871, was the first mountain railway in Europe. In December, Rigi offers sledging runs, winter hiking paths, snowshoe trails and frequent sunshine above the lowland fog.
From Zurich, take the train to Arth-Goldau and switch to the cogwheel railway up to Rigi Kulm. A return trip costs roughly CHF 80-100 (about €85-105) without a discount card, and is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. At Rigi Kaltbad, a mineral bath designed by the architect Mario Botta lets you swim outdoors with mountain views.
5Lindt Home of Chocolate - Swiss Chocolate and Winter Treats
Lindt Home of Chocolate opened in 2020 next to the Lindt & Sprüngli factory on the shore of Lake Zurich. Its interactive museum tells the story of cocoa and Swiss chocolate-making, and ends with a tasting. The entrance hall holds a chocolate fountain about 9 metres tall, and the shop is one of the largest Lindt stores in the world. Museum tickets usually cost about CHF 15-20 (around €16-21).
Back in the city, December is the time for Swiss treats. Confiserie Sprüngli on Paradeplatz is known for Luxemburgerli, small airy macarons, and Old Town restaurants serve cheese fondue and raclette, which taste best on a cold night. Chocolate shops across Zurich sell seasonal Advent calendars and festive figures.
Take this guide with you
Get every place in this guide, with addresses and map links, in your inbox — easy to open on your phone during the trip.
One email to the address on your account. No newsletter.
Zurich in December: Lake Walks, Alpine Trips & Swiss Treats - FAQ
No - plan two or three days. The Singing Christmas Tree and the Dolder ice rink fit into one evening, and Lindt Home of Chocolate into a morning. Rapperswil needs half a day, and Rigi takes most of a day on its own.
Visit Lindt Home of Chocolate in the morning, take the train on to Rapperswil for the afternoon and the wooden bridge at sunset, then return for the Singing Christmas Tree in the evening. Skate at the Dolder on another evening, and keep the clearest day for Rigi.
Lindt Home of Chocolate sells timed tickets that often sell out on weekends and holidays, so book ahead. Rigi trains and the Dolder ice rink can be paid on the day. Rapperswil and the Singing Christmas Tree need nothing more than a train or tram ticket.
Expect about CHF 130-180 (roughly €135-190) per person. The Rigi trip is the biggest cost at around CHF 80-100, followed by Lindt Home of Chocolate at about CHF 15-20, the train to Rapperswil and the Dolder rink at around CHF 8-10. The Singing Christmas Tree is free.
The Old Town, the Lake Zurich promenade, the Bahnhofstrasse lights and Uetliberg, which often rises above the winter fog, are the classic additions. The Kunsthaus, the Swiss National Museum and the Chagall windows at the Fraumünster suit grey days, and New Year's Eve brings fireworks over the lake.
Zurich in December is cold and often grey. Highs are around 3-5°C and nights near freezing, with frequent fog over the city and some snow. Higher up on Uetliberg or Rigi, skies are often clearer and sunnier than in town.
