New Year’s Eve in Zurich: 1–4 Day Hour-by-Hour Itineraries

In Zurich the Christmas markets end on 24 December, and at New Year the lake is the star. On 31 December the Silvesterzauber festival opens on the lakefront at 2 pm; after midnight the city lights go out and the fireworks over the lake start at 12:20 am. Our routes are built around museums that close early on 31 December and the holiday hours on 1 January, and the 4-day plan adds the Rigi and Lucerne by panoramic train. There are two paces: relaxed and balanced–packed.

Plan with your own dates

Enter your arrival and departure; the route adapts to that day’s opening hours, markets and your flights.

Itineraries by length

Where to be at midnight

Zurich’s New Year show is on the lakefront: the Grossmünster bells ring from 11:40 to 11:58 pm, the city lights go out at 12:19 am and the fireworks over the lake start at 12:20. Private fireworks are banned on the festival grounds. The midnight step is your choice; at both paces we suggest the Utoquai. To avoid waiting in the cold, we stay somewhere warm after dinner and head out in the last hour.

The Utoquai and Bellevue: The east shore of the lake: the fireworks right in front and a little less crowded than the Quaibrücke. Within walking distance of the Niederdorf and Seefeld.
The Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz: The lake right in front and the fireworks overhead; the heart of the festival and the most crowded spot. Come early.
Lindenhof: The church bells over the old town; calmer, but the lake is out of sight.
New Year’s Eve boat on the lake: Midnight and the fireworks on the water; some boats include dinner. Sells out early.

When are the Christmas markets open?

Scroll the table sideways →

Market	Dates	Hours
Polarzauber (main station, indoors)	19 November – 24 December	Sun–Wed 11 am–9 pm, Thu–Sat 11 am–10 pm (food stalls an hour later); 11 am–4 pm on 24 December
Bellevue Noël (Sechseläutenplatz)	19 November – 23 December	From 11 am; 2026 closing times not yet published
Dörfli (Niederdorf)	19 November – 23 December	Mon–Thu 11 am–9 pm, Fri–Sat 11 am–10 pm, Sun 11 am–8 pm
Münsterhof	19 November – 24 December	2026 hours to be announced in November
Weihnachtsallee (Europaallee)	19 November – 23 December	Mon–Sat 11 am–10 pm, Sun 11 am–8 pm
Singing Christmas Tree (Werdmühleplatz)	19 November – 23 December	Concert times in the programme

Open and closed on 31 December and 1 January

Scroll the table sideways →

Place	29–30 December	31 December	1 January
Christmas markets	ended (on 24 December) ✓	ended ✓	ended ✓
Silvesterzauber (lakefront)	— ✓	2 pm until morning ✓	— ✓
Kunsthaus	10 am–6 pm ✓	10 am–4 pm ✓	closed ✓
Swiss National Museum	10 am–5 pm ✓	10 am–5 pm ✓	10 am–5 pm ✓
Lindt Home of Chocolate	10 am–7 pm ✓	10 am–4 pm ✓	closed ✓
The Grossmünster and Fraumünster	10 am–5 pm ◷	not published !	not published !
Rigi and Lucerne (train)	daily ✓	daily ✓	holiday timetable !
Shops	open ✓	close between 4 and 6 pm ◷	closed ✓
Public transport	normal ✓	night service until about 4 am ✓	holiday timetable ◷

Official for 2026
Last year’s information; 2026 schedule pending
Not out yet; check before you go

Tips

The markets open on 19 November. Bellevue Noël, the Dörfli and the Weihnachtsallee end on 23 December, and Polarzauber (in the station) and Münsterhof on 24 December. On 24 December Polarzauber closes at 4 pm.
On 24 and 31 December most shops close between 4 and 6 pm; they’re closed on 25–26 December and 1 January. Shops are closed on Sundays too.
On New Year’s Eve the Silvesterzauber festival opens on the lakefront at 2 pm; the city lights go out at 12:19 am and the fireworks over the lake start at 12:20. Trams, buses and the S-Bahn run until about 4 am.
For the Rigi day, buy a “Rigi Kulm” ticket from SBB; the Rigi is free with the Swiss Travel Pass. The annual timetable changes on 13 December, so check the times in the SBB app. Rigi tours
Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.
Entry to the Lindt Home of Chocolate is timed: buy online, as December days sell out ahead. It’s closed on 25–26 December and 1 January. Lindt tickets
Some places close on holidays; check your ticket date against the opening days.
Inside the city a ZVV day ticket is enough, and it covers the Polybahn and the Uetliberg train (S10). The Zürich Card combines transport with museum discounts.
On the evening of 24 December some restaurants are closed; book Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner in October or November. Prices are high, so budget CHF 50–70 a head for dinner.
The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Cards are accepted everywhere; some places take euros, but change comes in francs at a poor rate.

Frequently asked questions

Are there fireworks in Zurich on New Year’s Eve?

Yes, over the lake. After midnight the city lights go out at 12:19 am and a 15–20-minute show starts at 12:20. The best places to watch are on the lakefront: the Utoquai, Bellevue, the Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz.

Are the Christmas markets open on New Year’s Eve?

No. Zurich’s markets end on 23–24 December. At New Year their place is taken by the Silvesterzauber festival on the lakefront: food and bar stalls from 2 pm, with music and dancing after 8 pm. Free entry.

What’s open on 1 January?

Shops, the Kunsthaus and Lindt are closed. The Swiss National Museum is open 10 am–5 pm, and the Uetliberg train runs on a holiday timetable. Most cafés open towards midday.

How do I get back to my hotel after midnight?

Trams, buses and the S-Bahn run until about 4 am, with most city lines at least every 15 minutes. It’s packed right after the fireworks, so wait a little and buy a day ticket in advance.

Can I go up the Rigi over New Year?

Yes, the cog railway runs every day of the year. Our route goes on 30 December: by train to Arth-Goldau, up to Rigi Kulm on the cog railway, then down to Lucerne on the Voralpen-Express. A “Rigi Kulm” ticket from SBB or the Swiss Travel Pass covers it.

When should I book New Year’s Eve dinner?

In October or November. Most restaurants serve a set menu; choose one within walking distance of the lake, around the Niederdorf or Bellevue.

Sources

Hours compiled from official sources (28 October 2026). The marks in the table show each time’s status: confirmed for 2026, based on the last season, or not yet published. Holiday hours can change; check the official websites before you go.