Christmas and New Year in Grindelwald 2026/27: Events, Markets, Opening Times and Tips
Quick answer: According to the Jungfrau Railways 2026/27 price list, the Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen and First areas operate over Christmas and New Year, as long as there is enough snow. The Jungfraujoch is open all year. On 31.12.2026, the village celebrates New Year's Eve with food, drinks and a DJ from 15:00 on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz.
Key facts at a glance
- Ski areas: Kleine Scheidegg from 21.11.2026, Männlichen from 12.12.2026, Grindelwald-First from 19.12.2026 (Jungfrau Ski Region price list, subject to change). Whether everything is open depends on the snow.
- Peak dates: 19.12.2026–03.01.2027. An adult day ski pass then costs CHF 83 instead of CHF 79 (as of October 2026).
- New Year's Eve 31.12.2026: food, drinks and a DJ from 15:00 on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz, a parade from the church at midnight, Dorfstrasse closed from 23:00 to 2:00 (myswitzerland.com). The program doesn't mention fireworks.
- Public holidays in the canton of Bern: 25.12., 26.12., 01.01. and 02.01. (Berchtoldstag). Check opening times of shops and restaurants one by one.
- Markets: Grindelwald Advent market on 28.11.2026, Christmas markets in Bern until 24.12.2026, Bern Sternenmarkt until 27.12.2026.
- Church services: Midnight Mass at the Catholic church on 24.12.2026 at 21:30, Christmas service on 25.12.2026 at 10:00. The times of the Protestant village church for 2026 are not published yet.
Book matching experiences
Want to do something special over the holidays without organizing it all yourself? We arrange suitable offers from local partners, for example night sledding with fondue. Send us a WhatsApp message or a request, and we confirm availability and price with the partner before you book.
Events from Advent to New Year
| Date | Event | Place | Time and note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.11.2026 | Grindelwald Advent market | Eiger+ Nordwandplatz by the sports center | 14:00–19:00 |
| 06.12.2026 | «Dr Samichlous chund z'Bsuech» (Santa Claus visit) | meet at the Congress Hall, then Panoramaplatz | from 17:15, Samichlaus with Schmutzli and donkeys |
| 24.12.2026 | Midnight Mass | Roman Catholic church, Grossenhausweg | 21:30 |
| 25.12.2026 | Christmas service | Roman Catholic church, Grossenhausweg | 10:00 |
| 28.12.2026–02.01.2027 | Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night | Alpiglen → Brandegg | daily, lit sled run |
| 31.12.2026 | New Year's Eve | Eiger+ Nordwandplatz and Dorfstrasse | from 15:00, highlight at 00:30 not announced yet |
Sources: guidle.com (Advent market), myswitzerland.com (Santa Claus visit, church services, New Year's Eve), jungfrau.ch (Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night), as of October 2026. Programs can change. Check them on grindelwald.swiss before you travel.
New Year's Eve in Grindelwald
According to the program on myswitzerland.com, the New Year's Eve celebration starts on 31.12.2026 at 15:00 with food, drinks and a DJ on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz. At midnight, a parade sets off from the church, and a highlight is announced for 00:30 but not revealed yet. The evening ends with a shared toast on Nordwandplatz. Dorfstrasse is closed from 23:00 to 2:00. The program doesn't mention fireworks (as of October 2026).
If you'd rather spend New Year's Eve on a sled: the lit Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night from Alpiglen to Brandegg is open daily from 28.12.2026 to 02.01.2027. The evening ticket costs CHF 29 for adults and CHF 19 reduced and for kids 6–15, sled not included (jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026).
What's open over the holidays?
| What | 24–26.12.2026 | 31.12.2026–02.01.2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Ski areas Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen, First | operating per season dates, depending on snow | operating per season dates, depending on snow |
| Jungfraujoch | open, operates all year | open, operates all year |
| Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night | not yet operating (from 28.12.) | daily |
| Shops, restaurants, sports center | check times one by one | check times one by one |
| Public holiday in the canton of Bern | 25 and 26.12. | 01 and 02.01. |
Sources: Jungfrau Ski Region 2026/27 price list and jungfrau.ch (season dates, Jungfraujoch, Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night), Swiss Federal Office of Justice (cantonal public holidays), as of October 2026. We found no different operating times for the holidays on jungfrau.ch. Check the live status in the morning in the winter sports report on grindelwald.swiss. There's no central overview of holiday opening times for shops, restaurants and the sports center. Ask the business directly or ask us on WhatsApp.
Christmas markets nearby
| Market | Place | Dates 2026 | Getting there from Grindelwald |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grindelwald Advent market | Eiger+ Nordwandplatz | 28.11.2026, 14:00–19:00 | on foot in the village |
| Interlaken Christmas market | Kursaalgarten | not published yet | Bernese Oberland Railway to Interlaken Ost, about 35 min |
| Christmas market at the Minster | Bern, Münsterplatz | 28.11.–24.12.2026 | train via Interlaken Ost, about 1 hr 25 to 1 hr 35 min |
| Waisenhausplatz Christmas market | Bern, Waisenhausplatz | 27.11.–24.12.2026 | train via Interlaken Ost, about 1 hr 25 to 1 hr 35 min |
| Bern Sternenmarkt | Bern, Kleine Schanze | 19.11.–27.12.2026 | train via Interlaken Ost, about 1 hr 25 to 1 hr 35 min |
Sources: guidle.com (Grindelwald), interlaken.swiss (Interlaken), bls.ch (Bern Christmas markets), as of October 2026. According to interlaken.swiss, the markets in the Interlaken holiday region take place from November to December, with detailed dates to follow. According to bls.ch, Waisenhausplatz in Bern also hosts an end-of-year market from 28 to 31.12.2026 and a New Year market from 04 to 09.01.2027. Travel times are from our getting there guide, check the current connection on sbb.ch.
Church services over Christmas
- Roman Catholic church Grindelwald, Grossenhausweg: Midnight Mass on 24.12.2026 at 21:30, Christmas service on 25.12.2026 at 10:00, Mass on 27.12.2026 at 9:30. According to the parish, services can change at short notice, current information on kath-interlaken.ch.
- Protestant village church, Dorfstrasse 202: The times for Christmas 2026 are not published yet. Check the 2026 times with the Grindelwald parish (Kirchgemeinde Grindelwald).
Prices, crowds and booking tips
- Peak dates: The Jungfrau Railways list 19.12.2026 to 03.01.2027 as peak dates. An adult day ski pass then costs CHF 83 instead of CHF 79, the Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass CHF 64 instead of CHF 61. Kids and youth always pay the standard price (2026/27 price list, as of October 2026).
- Book early: It's best to reserve your accommodation and restaurant for 24, 25 and 31.12. early. We don't quote hotel prices, as each hotel sets its own.
- Allow extra time: More guests are out and about on peak dates. Set off early and expect waiting times at ticket counters and lifts.
- Jungfraujoch: In winter, seat reservation is optional. The Jungfrau Railways still recommend it in fine weather. Details in our Jungfraujoch guide.
- Check the snow: The winter sports report on grindelwald.swiss shows whether all slopes and sled runs are open.
Keep reading
- Grindelwald in winter: season and tips
- Skiing in Grindelwald
- Sledding in Grindelwald
- Lauberhorn races and World Snow Festival
FAQ
Is anything open in Grindelwald at Christmas?
Yes. According to the season dates, the Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen and First areas operate over Christmas as long as there is snow, and the Jungfraujoch is open all year. Shops and restaurants may have different hours on public holidays, so check with each business directly.
Are there New Year's Eve fireworks in Grindelwald?
The published 2026 program doesn't mention fireworks. The celebration starts at 15:00 on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz, and a highlight is announced for 00:30 but not revealed yet (as of October 2026).
Is there a Christmas market in Grindelwald?
Yes, the Advent market on 28.11.2026 from 14:00 to 19:00 on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz. Larger markets take place in Bern, for example at the Minster from 28.11. to 24.12.2026.
Is skiing more expensive over Christmas?
For adults, yes. From 19.12.2026 to 03.01.2027, a day ski pass costs CHF 83 instead of CHF 79. Kids 6–15 pay CHF 38 (as of October 2026).
Which days are public holidays in Grindelwald?
In the canton of Bern, 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January are public holidays.
When is the Christmas Eve church service?
At the Catholic church in Grindelwald on 24.12.2026 at 21:30. The times of the Protestant village church for 2026 are not published yet.
Can you go sledding on New Year's Eve?
Yes. The lit Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night is open daily from 28.12.2026 to 02.01.2027. The evening ticket costs CHF 29 for adults (jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026).
Questions? We help on WhatsApp
No obligation. We'll get back to you by email or WhatsApp and recommend a suitable local provider.
Places
Experiences on request
- Night sledging with fondue On request
- Bussalp sledging day On request
About the author
Ramon Stüdeli is the owner of Grindelwald Experiences. He lives in Grindelwald and Lucerne, brings broad experience from tourism and other industries and has traveled to more than 60 countries.
Sources
- cdn.jungfrau.ch/Prospekte_und_Broschueren/Price-list-Jungfrau-Ski-Region.pdf
- jungfrau.ch/de-ch/jungfrau-ski-region/skipass-kaufen
- jungfrau.ch/de-ch/schlitteln/eiger-run
- jungfrau.ch/de-ch/jungfraujoch-top-of-europe
- myswitzerland.com/en/experiences/events/new-years-eve-1
- myswitzerland.com/en/experiences/events/dr-samichlous-chund-z-bsuech
- guidle.com/de/adventsmarkt-grindelwald_A1WtvaT
- myswitzerland.com/de-at/erlebnisse/veranstaltungen/gottesdienste-in-der-roem-kath-kirche-grindelwald
- myswitzerland.com/en-my/experiences/events/services-in-the-protestant-church
- interlaken.swiss/planen/events/top-events/weihnachtsmaerkte
- interlaken.swiss/planen/events/event/weihnachtsmarkt-interlaken-im-kursaalgarten
- bls.ch/de/freizeit-und-ferien/events/berner-weihnachtsmaerkte
- bj.admin.ch/dam/bj/de/data/publiservice/service/zivilprozessrecht/kant-feiertage.pdf
- grindelwald.swiss/de/service/betriebsstatus/wintersportbericht.html