Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man – Pope Francis
Advent season is here. The traditions and symbolic gestures that are celebrated throughout the season include both traditional and fun activities to be enjoyed as the days dim and pass into darkness earlier.
Some of the traditions have already begun with the large Christmas tree at Europaplatz illuminated on Saturday, as well as Geisslechlöpfe, evening Advent concerts and Luzern ice magic already underway but there is still time to enjoy all of them.
Advent, adventus in Latin, is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and his second coming. The traditional advent starts four Sundays before Christmas and this year it begins on 30 November and is the time to light the first candle in your Advent wreath.
Roman Catholic Church of Holy Cross – Parsons Green Facebook
Another version is to add a fifth candle called the Christ candle that is typically white, placed in the centre of the wreath, and lit on Christmas eve to signify the arrival of Jesus.
If you have heard cracking sounds, then it has been the Geisslechlöpfe, a typical Swiss tradition that brings joy to those who love whip cracking and not so much joy to those who don’t (and their pets). Whip cracking is allowed between 3 November and 8 December.
It dates back to pre-Christian times and the whip crack is meant to drive away the evil winter spirits and demons. This original pagan tradition was Christianised and leads up to the announcement of Samichlaus. See below for Samichlaus and his intrepid mate Schmutzli on Saint Nicholas Day, 6 December.
For more information on the tradition, dos and don’ts and where to buy the Geissle (the bit that cracks) see: Geisslechlöpfe or the art of scaring winter away. If you haven’t already it’s time to get cracking as there are two weeks left.
During the Advent season there are concerts at Europaplatz, in front of the KKL (Culture and Congress Centre), with the following evening program: Fyrobig-Adväntskonzert & Kultur- und Sportprogramm until New Year’s day.
Ice skating can be fun zipping around the ice but you can also enjoy just shuffling around the rink if you are not so confident. Most kids love it as they don’t yet fear falling on hard ice and if they do they seem to bounce back up with astonishing alacrity. Part of the charm is the view of the lake and mountain panorama. If you don’t want to brave the ice there is a chalet and various food and drink stands and musicians to while away the time as your kids skate. The skating is free and skates can be hired if you don’t have any. Here is a link to a PDF with all the prices: MICE-Angebote_Eisfeld Eiszauber_EN.pdf. More information can be found on the Eiszauber Luzern website in German.
Opening hours: ice rink
Monday to Saturday: 11:30 am to 10 pm
Sunday: from 10 am to 10 pm
Opening hours: Zauber Chalet
Monday to Friday: 5:30 pm – until closing time
Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 am – until closing time
Opening hours: bars
Monday-Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm
Sunday from 10 am – 11 pm
Opening hours: food
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 4 pm to – 10 pm
Wednesday and Saturday 11:30 am to 10 pm
Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The Christmas train travels throughout the city centre, through the Christmas huts and the twinkling lights with live storytelling about Luzern’s Christmas past. The ride is over 60 minutes long. Group reservations and single guests are available.
- Dates and times: Mo, Tu, We, Fr, Sa, Su: 6 pm
- Duration: 1¼ hour
- Language: German / English
Christmas Train Luzern, Luzern.com
Said to be the most famous of the celebrations of Klausjagen (Klaus short for Niklaus, translates as ‘chasing of St Nicholas’) and is celebrated on the eve of St Nicholas Day (6 December) at exactly 8:15 pm in Küssnacht am Rigi. It begins with the loud bang of a firecracker, lights go out and the revellers cheer. The parade is viewed by up to 30, 000 spectators along the dark streets of Küssnacht with over 1,500 participants in the procession. St Nicholas, accompanied by Schmutzli, are illuminated by torchbearers and are followed by musicians ending with the horns and their eerie call.
And as parades and processions go in Switzerland, when the Swiss really let their hair down, this one also goes until the early hours of the next morning.
Information and preview video: Klausjagen Küssnacht am Rigi
and the route that is followed:
Samichlaus and Schmutzli – 6 December
Who is Samichlaus? If you have not yet spent a Christmas in Switzerland you may think Samichlaus is Santa Claus but they are not one and the same. Samichlaus is a version of Santa Claus without, let’s say, the jolliness.
The mysterious old man with the white beard brings Grittibänz (like a gingerbread man), nuts, chocolate and mandarins for children every year on 6 December. He is based on the historical figure of Nicholas of Myra, a bishop with a red cap, red and gold robe and white beard who was known for his secret gift giving. He uses a golden book to review the children’s behaviour during the year and will often ask them to recite a poem.
Schmutzli, his dark robed assistant, carries a broom, and is a figure of playful fear for the children. Schmutzli is no longer portrayed as the sinister character he was in the past – naughty children were supposedly put in his sack and carried away into the forest: How Swiss festive bad boy cleaned up his act.
Other Samichlaus & Schmutzli events in and around Luzern
Here is a great list for Samichlaus and Schmützli events in and around Luzern in German: Samichlaus-Anlässe in und um Luzern – 2025 by Little Dreamers – a platform for parents in Luzern.
