In the U.S., the start of the Christmas advertising and selling season that used to start at Thanksgiving now seems to be geared for the day after Halloween, but it’s not the only early start going.
Some of Switzerland’s traditional outdoor Christmas markets are opening in November, too, with the earliest opening on November 8th in Zurich, which has two separate Christmas markets: The long-running Winterzauber Baden near Zurich is divided into two Christmas villages: s’Badener Wunderdorf and the Unterer Bahnhofplatz. While the former invites visitors to browse its many Gschänkli (gift) villages, filled with cozy market huts, bars, a lounge tent and more, at the Unterer Bahnhofplatz you can munch on fondue at Humbels Fonduehütte.
Most other Swiss markets will open at the beginning of December, coinciding with Advent. The markets were closed in 2020 for Covid and barely open, with masks and more, in 2021. This year will mark the first market season free of any Covid restrictions.
