Christmas in the Big Apple
New York
New York is a magical place during the festive season. As soon as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is over, the city is transformed into a true winter wonderland. Twinkling lights, decorated shop windows and the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree make the Big Apple the Christmas city par excellence. Swiss flies daily to New York.
Lovingly decorated shop windows
At Christmas time, New York becomes a festival of lights. The shop windows of Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Bloomingdales are lavishly decorated and compete with the street lights. The Christmas market in Bryant Park invites you to stroll around, while Hudson Yards shines with over two million lights.
Ice skating in New York
Ice skating is simply part of the pre-Christmas season in New York. Whether in front of the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, in the picturesque Wollman Rink in Central Park or on the rink in Bryant Park Winter Village – the big city ambience and the white backdrop make ice skating a fun way to get in the mood for the festive season.
Broadway
A visit to a Christmas or Broadway show is also a must. A highlight for the whole family is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, one of the oldest and best-known musicals in the city. Another classic is «Elf the Muscial». For family-friendly evenings, there is «Aladdin» and «The Lion King». But popular Broadway plays such as «The Great Gatsby» are also a big draw.
Christmas markets
If you are looking for souvenirs or mulled wine, the Christmas markets are the place to go. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market delights with handmade gifts and delicious treats, while the Union Square Holiday Market in the heart of Manhattan invites you to browse with around 200 stalls. Over 125 boutiques and an ice rink await in Bryant Park Winter Village. Finally, the Christmas Market in Grand Central Terminal attracts over 70 traders and is ideal for warming up and finding presents for the whole family.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Pier 15 delights young and old alike with a charming backdrop. With General Admission, visitors can enjoy the colourful installation with a hot chocolate, and for a more complete experience, a festive menu is offered in heated and illuminated glass houses. The combination of contemplative atmosphere, delicious food and numerous activities makes this place an unforgettable part of the Christmas season in New York.
Dining
There are many places to enjoy a festive meal in New York, such as Rolf’s German Restaurant, the traditional steakhouse Gallaghers or the French classics Le Jardin Bistro and La Grande Boucherie. For Italian specialities, we recommend the Piccola Cucina Estiatorio. The Peak Restaurant & Bar offers a breathtaking view of Hudson Yards and the city, while Oscar Wilde entices diners with its fantastic decor. Oyster fans can visit the romantic Maison Premiere in Williamsburg.
Silent nights
To be close to the action and be enchanted while you sleep, there are various hotels in the city centre. The Moxy NYC Lower East Side reflects the vibrant culture of the Lower East Side, but the Best Western Plus Soho, the Hotel 50 Bowery and the Hotel Mimosa New York are also great options. We particularly recommend the Mandarin Oriental New York on Columbus Circle, which boasts luxurious interiors, first-class service and is just a two-minute walk from Central Park.
British Christmas tradition
London
The British Christmas tradition is characterised by spectacular strings of lights made up of stars and angels that bathe the streets in a warm glow. This is particularly splendid in London. Visitors from all over the world gather here in December to stroll through the charming markets, savour traditional delicacies, go Christmas shopping and take part in the numerous cultural events. Swiss flies to London several times a day.
Festive activities for young and old
After dark, the «Christmas at Kew» event transforms the Royal Botanic Gardens into a wonderland with elaborate light projections and invites visitors to take a tour. Windsor Castle, on the other hand, brings Victorian Christmas traditions to life: in a reverent atmosphere, visitors can let off steam creatively and make their own tree decorations, wreaths and angels.
On runners across the ice
Ice skating is also part of the Advent season in London. The ice rink at Hampton Court Palace, directly in front of the imposing Henry VIII Palace, or Glide at Battersea Power Station are particularly enjoyable. The Queen’s House Ice Rink, located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounded by impressive architecture, offers some of the best views in London. Also popular are the rinks at Somerset House and Canary Wharf, which guarantee winter fun for the whole family in a cheerful atmosphere.
Christmas Spirit
In winter, London blossoms and attracts visitors with its many famous Advent markets. Greenwich Market offers seasonal treats, twinkling lights and concerts. In Covent Garden, pretty bells and baubles adorn the Market Building. The Southbank Centre Winter Market along the Thames invites you to linger with alpine chalets, pop-up bars and arts and crafts. The Leicester Square Christmas Market also delights with traditional market delights and unique entertainment, including the award-winning show La Clique in the «Spiegeltent» pop-up location.
Christmas decorations as far as the eye can see
In winter, London’s streets and department stores are transformed into a sea of lights. Regent Street with its huge angel decorations and the colourfully decorated façade of Annabel’s Mayfair are particularly striking. Those looking for nostalgic tree decorations will find what they are looking for at the iconic Fortnum & Mason department stores’ or at Liberty and Selfridges – there is something for everyone here.
Santa in the City
Santa in the City combines sporting fun with a festive atmosphere in London. Participants in Santa costumes run a 3.5km route that starts near St Paul’s Cathedral, leads to the Thames Path and from there runs along the North Embankment. The route crosses the City of London towards the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, before returning to the magnificently lit St Paul’s Cathedral via Cannon Street. This year, the popular run will take place on 4 and 5 December 2024.
Restaurants for feasting
After a long stroll, the Brasserie of Light in the Selfridges department stores’ awaits with a mix of British and international cuisine. The Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is ideal for enjoying the breathtaking view of the London skyline. For Indian cuisine, the Benares Restaurant in Mayfair is recommended, while the Indigo Restaurant in Covent Garden is ideal for an uncomplicated dinner date. The modern Cecconi’s Mayfair, the American- inspired Chiltern Firehouse and the hip wine bar Lulu’s are particularly popular at the moment. If you don’t want to miss out on entertainment during your meal, visit the Phoenix Arts Club with its cabaret and events.
Luxurious nights in London
The elegant Claridge’s and the timeless Hotel Ritz promise pure luxury and a stay in a class of its own. The NoMad London is trendy, while the luxurious lifestyle hotel Nobu Portman Square combines Japanese minimalism with London’s cosmopolitan culture. At The Ned, guests can expect 1920s glamour and one of the best buffets in the city. The renowned Langham, on the other hand, combines British heritage with modern elegance in the heart of the West End.
Advent in the city of love
Paris
Although Paris delights all year round, the Christmas period gives the «City of Light» a particularly magical touch. The lights are switched on from 5 pm, where they twinkle merrily until midnight. The charming streets, elaborately decorated shop windows and lively department stores make Paris a favourite destination in winter, transporting visitors into an almost fairytale atmosphere. The easiest way to reach Paris is by TGV, which takes just 4 hours from Zurich.
Galeries Lafayette
One of the Advent classics is the lavish decoration of the traditional department stores’ chain Galeries Lafayette. Since 1976, the department stores’ has presented its façade with elaborately designed windows that delight young and old alike. In addition to the ornate shop windows, the huge Christmas tree under the majestic dome, which lights up every 30 minutes in a light and sound show, is a fascinating sight. The roof terrace offers a 360° view of the illuminated rooftops of Paris.
Christmas markets and ice skating
From mid-November to the beginning of January, the most beautiful markets in Paris beckon. The Marché de Noël des Tuileries offers a Ferris wheel, ice skating and numerous stalls. The Trocadéro Christmas market at the foot of the Eiffel Tower also delights with an ice rink, and the charming Marché de Noël de Montmartre awaits with original gift ideas in the artists’ quarter. A special highlight this year is the Notre-Dame Christmas Market, as the cathedral reopens at the beginning of December after a long period of restoration.
Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Christmas magic
From 9 November, Disneyland Paris will be transformed into a cheerful, glittering winter wonderland. Festively decorated streets, illuminated Christmas trees and magical parades make the park an unforgettable experience for the whole family. From special shows to encounters with Disney characters in Christmas costumes, the magical atmosphere creates anticipation for the best days of the year. The lighting of the giant Christmas tree, which bathes the park in a bright glow, is particularly beautiful.
Enjoy the atmosphere to the full
Paris also shows its most beautiful side between the sights at the end of the year: whether it’s a stroll along the Champs-Élysées with its many lights or a visit to the Ralph Lauren store on Boulevard Saint-Germain, whose Ralph’s restaurant delights with its winter charm. On Place Vendôme, the most luxurious jewellery shops invite you to (window) shop. A cocktail in the elegant Ritz bar around the corner rounds off the day.
«Surréalisme» at the Centre Pompidou
Structured like a labyrinth, the «Surréalisme» exhibition at the Centre Pompidou provides an insight into the creative power of the surrealist movement. On display are works by famous artists such as Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst and Joan Miró, as well as the female surrealists Leonora Carrington, Ithell Colquhoun and Dora Maar. Organised thematically and chronologically, it highlights the literary and poetic principles of Surrealism. A special highlight is the original manuscript of the Surrealist Manifesto. The exhibition is on display until 13 January 2025.
Gourmet Christmas experiences
The traditional Christmas biscuit Bûche de Noël is the perfect treat for the festive season and should definitely be tried. On the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, restaurants such as Mūn tempt diners with Asian fusion and a stylish ambience. French haute cuisine is served at L’Arpège or the classic Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. The Moulin Rouge promises a special evening with dinner and a show. The charming Pétrelle serves market-fresh dishes in a romantic atmosphere, while Fouquet’s is a classic for elegant dinners.
Parisian elegance
The soft beds of the Parisian hotels ensure restful nights between the Christmas hustle and bustle. The iconic Le Bristol Paris impresses with its excellent location, attentive service and pampering moments in the spa. Those who appreciate the artistic energy around the Sacré-Coeur can stay at the charming Hotel Des Arts in Montmartre. A little closer to the Seine and located on the elegant Rue Saint-Honoré, the Mandarin Oriental promises luxurious comfort – ideal for exploring the surrounding boutiques and sights.
Hamburg traditions
Hamburg
As the days get shorter, the anticipation of the most beautiful days of the year grows in Hamburg. The Advent wreath was invented here, there is a crackling in the air and the Christmas markets entice visitors with their atmospheric ambience and fragrant promises. From the harbour to the city centre, Hamburg exudes a festive atmosphere. Day and night trains run daily from Zurich main station and Basel SBB directly to Hamburg main station; alternatively, Swiss offers several flights a day.
Advent stroll
Hamburg’s Christmas markets offer great variety: the «White Magic» on the Alster impresses with a historic Ferris wheel and a view of the glittering Alster fir tree. The Gänsemarkt around the Lessing Monument in Hamburg’s city centre is transformed into a picturesque gingerbread village with arts and crafts and all kinds of delicacies, from mulled wine to roasted almonds. At the historic Christmas market at the Rathausmarkt, Father Christmas in flight hovers over the heads of visitors three times a day.
Winterdome
The Heiligengeistfeld in St. Pauli is Hamburg’s largest event area and home to the Hamburger Dom, the largest funfair in northern Germany, which takes place three times a year. The Dom offers a variety of attractions, from romantic Ferris wheel rides and thrilling rollercoasters to fairground stalls and a wide selection of treats. The next event – the Winter Dome – will take place from 8 November to 8 December 2024 and promises plenty of fun and thrills for young and old alike.
Christmas parade
Reindeer, Father Christmas and elves: On all four Advent Saturdays, Hamburg’s Christmas parade makes its way through the city centre. While tourists and locals line the streets, Father Christmas waves cheerfully from his reindeer sleigh, accompanied by dressed-up gnomes, elves and angels – a wonderful experience for the whole family.
Home cooking, oysters and caviar
The Hobenköök («harbour kitchen») in HafenCity serves North German dishes with seasonal and regional ingredients. Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine in the immediate vicinity of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall offers a delicious selection. Beer fans can visit Überquell, which serves beer from its own brewery and Neapolitan pizza. Latin American-inspired tasting menus are available at the trendy Salt & Silver. Other highlights include the Cornelia Poletto restaurant, TV chef Tim Mälzer’s Bullerei and the famous Fischereihafen restaurant with classic fish dishes, oysters and caviar.
Hotels in Hamburg
Hamburg offers cosy accommodation that combines tradition and elegance. The Hotel Atlantic impresses with its Hanseatic charm and its location directly on the Alster – ideal for guests who appreciate the highest level of comfort. At the Grand Elysée Hamburg, centrally located between Dammtor and the Alster, guests can enjoy luxury in the heart of the city. The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on the Alster combines historical elegance with exquisite cuisine and a luxurious spa. The latter offers relaxation areas with a fireplace and a roof terrace with a view of the skyline.
