Christmas market for eleven days for the first time

The people of Zug have had to do without it for four years: the Zug Christmas Market (Zuger Weihnachtsmärkt). It is the largest in the canton of Zug, and the preparations for it are already in full swing.

It's autumnally cool outside and there's already the first snow in the mountains. Time to think about arranging gifts and pleasant hours for your loved ones at Christmas. You can also find inspiration at an atmospheric Christmas market. In only 16 days, on 23rd November, the largest Christmas market in the region will open its stalls in Zug's picturesque old town. This is being organised by Fredy Weller (concept), Natalie Ondrusch (culture) and Sebastian Ondrusch (sponsorship/sales), as well as Fabien Stirnimann (homepage/social media).

“We’re currently in the middle of the hectic preparation phase and are doing everything we can to make the Christmas market an unforgettable event,” says Sebastian Ondrusch.

From 23rd November to 3rd December, you can taste mulled wine, roasted almonds, and all the other Advent treats on the Postplatz, the Zeughausgasse and the Hirschenplatz in Zug.

But why is the Christmas market now taking place over eleven days? “Christmas markets lasting several weeks have already become firmly established in surrounding cities such as Lucerne, Einsiedeln and Zurich. It’s important to us that visitors have the opportunity to visit the market several times during the extended period and to enjoy the ambience there. This is a great way to get in the mood for the coming Christmas season, when people get together in good spirits," explains Sebastian Ondrusch, who, together with the other three organisers, has put his heart and soul into volunteering for the Christmas market.

42 Christmas-decorated cabins and a stage await visitors during the eleven market days. In addition to a cosy atmosphere and the Christmas market stalls, there will also be a wide range of goods and all kinds of culinary delicacies. Raclette, bratwurst (fried sausages) and crepes (pancakes) , among other things, will ensure your physical well-being.

Children can turn pine trees into Christmas trees
A wide range of cultural offerings should also get people into the mood for Christmas. “We were able to get local artists and choirs excited about this,” says Natalie Ondrusch. Among others, the Ägerital yodelling club, Kilian Jenny's horn students, the Christmas Band Schwyz and the singer, guitarist and songwriter Giovanni Bassano have confirmed one or more appearances at the Zug Christmas Market.

There is also something new waiting for visitors: the Christmas Tree Decoration competition. Children from daycare centres, playgroups and school classes can transform a fir tree (Tannenbaum) into a beautiful Christmas tree with self-made decorations. “The trees are sponsored by the Zug Corporation and will be placed in the Christmas Market area. Three of the Christmas trees will be selected and awarded by the jury. Anyone who is still interested in taking part is invited to register with us via email by November 6, 2023,” continued Natalie Ondrusch.

Urgently looking for sponsors
The organisers also support students and trainees with a free cabin at the Christmas market: “We support students from the YES project, students from the Zug city schools and a health specialist in training who would like to donate her proceeds to patients suffering from leukemia.” In order for this to be successful, however, the organisers are still looking for sponsors. Around 15,000 to 20,000 visitors are expected during the entire duration.

The Christmas market in Zug's old town is taking place for eleven days for the first time this year                  Photo: Stefan Kaiser

Christmas markets in the canton of Zug, with links to the websites

Baar:   Christchindli market, Saturday, 25 November 2023, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m
https://www.baar.ch/brauchtummaerkte/8058
Zuwebe Christmas market, 18-19 November 2023, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
https://www.zuwebe.ch/de/events/angabe/174/weihnachtsmarkt.html

Cham: Cham Christmas Market, Friday, 8 December 2023, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
https://cham-tourismus.ch/weihnachtsmarkt

Hünenberg: Hünenberg Christmas Market, Friday, 1 December 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/gemeinden/hunenberg/de/gemeinde/freizeit-und-kultur/Anlaesse-events/weihnachtsmarkt

Menzingen: Menzinger Christmas market, Saturday, 2 December 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/gemeinden/menzingen/de/freizeit/kultur/weihnachtsmarkt

Neuheim: Christmas market, Sunday, 26 November 2023, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
https://www.neuheim.ch/anlaesseaktuelles/5533613

Oberägeri: Christmas market, Saturday, 2 December 2023, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
https://www.oberaegeri.ch/anlaesseaktuelles/5540432

Risch-Rotkreuz: NEW: ‘Weihnachtszauber ide Suurstoffi’, Sunday, 3 December 2023, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. https://winterzauber-suurstoffi.ch/

Steinhausen: Christmas market, Friday, 1 December 2023, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. https://veranstaltungen.steinhausen.ch/event/weihnachtsmarkt-steinhausen-2023-12-01

City of Zug: Klausmarkt, Sunday, 3 December 2023, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-ch/erlebnisse/veranstaltungen/klausmarkt-mit-kinderattraktion/
X-MAS Line, 13-17 December 2023.
https://www.zug-tourismus.ch/de/poi/x-mas-line-2023

Walchwil: Hobby artist and Christmas market, Sunday, 26 November 2023, from 11 a.m. https://www.walchwil.ch/public/upload/assets/2087/Kalender_2023_Oktober-Dezember_Druckbogen.pdf?fp=1694616526047.