Are you spending the holiday period in Lucerne and looking for festive activities in and around the city to get you into the spirit? Look no further! We’ve listed below some fun ideas for you and the family to take part in over the coming weeks.
Festive Food
Most Christmas markets are running throughout December, so make sure to visit and soak up the atmosphere! You can find some local dishes to try or a warm drink to make the cold weather more bearable. If you’re looking for a classic Swiss dish then we recommend trying the Älplermagronen, Raclette, Fondue or Heisse Marroni (there’s also a lot of international dishes at the Rudolfs Weihnachmarkt). See here for a list of local markets running in December.
The KKL, close to Rudolfs Weihnachmarkt, is hosting a Winterzauber where you can get cosy on the terrace surrounded by Christmas trees and eat, drink, and be merry in a cosy atmosphere.
The Zum Pfistern restaurant has a winter wonderland under the restaurant’s stone arches which looks magical. There you can sit outdoors, wrapped in a warm blanket, and enjoy one of their versions of cheese fondue. They also offer lunch menus. For CHF 89.- per person you can enjoy a horse drawn carriage tour around the city whilst eating Käsefondue and end up back at the restaurant for a piece of Lebkuchen cake in the carriage (a bottle of wine, tea and Glühwein are included in the price).
The Seehotel Kastanienbaum (in Kastanienbaum) offers you your own winter magic in wooden mini chalets where you can enjoy your fondue, wrapped in fluffy blankets, while taking in the view of the lake. They also offer a New Year’s special.
The restaurant Moosmatt has a fondue chalet and is much closer to downtown.
The Seeburg hotel is renowned for its over-the-top Christmas light display. This year they are also offering a cosy evening at their Titlis-Hütte restaurant, serving fondue and other local Swiss dishes.
To take your Christmas adventure to a new high (quite literally) why not head up Pilatus and ride a Gondola whilst enjoying a Swiss fondue. Check their website for more information.
Festive Activities
Lucerne Tourism is hosting Christmas-themed city tours throughout December, sharing the stories of Samichlaus and admiring the festive lights at night. More information can be found here.
If you’re looking for something steeped in tradition then head to Küssnacht on 5th December for the annual Klausjagen. The parade attracts around 30,000 visitors and will promise to be a great spectacle!
If you’re looking to buy your Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) in December then there are plenty of options for you. The Christmas tree market is running from 16 to 23 December, or you can of course visit a local supermarket. If you prefer to support local producers then you can also find trees at Gartnerei Niederberger in Kriens, Ottiger Baumschule in Rothenburg and Willisauer Christbaum in Willisau.
