Christmas exhibitions at Swiss garden centers offer a magical, family-friendly way to enjoy the festive season. Several large centers—including Guggenbühl, Hauenstein, and Meier—transform their spaces into enchanting Christmas wonderlands, featuring creative displays, miniature villages, activities for children, and cozy cafés. These exhibitions are ideal for families seeking indoor holiday fun near Zurich or Zug.
Guggenbühl Garden Center Christmas Display
Guggenbühl’s Christmas exhibition begins at the end of October and runs through Christmas. The center is filled with beautiful decorations, Christmas villages, ornaments, holiday lights, Advent wreaths, and floral arrangements. Located near Zurich, Guggenbühl spans 3,000 square meters. Plan for 1–2 hours to soak in the festive atmosphere and browse the gifts and decorations.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Upon entering the main building, visitors are greeted by colorful flowers, including poinsettias. Deeper inside, families will discover a small Christmas village and themed décor displays featuring Advent wreaths. The main holiday collection is housed in a spacious rear building filled with ornaments, lights, and festive decorations. Child-friendly workshops—such as wreath making, baking festive treats, or enjoying pony rides—are often scheduled on weekends, so be sure to check the website for current details. Most areas are stroller-friendly, though weekends can get busy, and some parts of the back building have steps.
Arrival and Dining Options
Located just 20 minutes south of Zurich or 30 minutes from Zug, Guggenbühl offers plenty of free parking. On select weekends, food stalls join the festivities, while the onsite café serves snacks, lunches, drinks, and desserts daily. A dedicated coloring area in the café makes it especially welcoming for families. With free parking and entry, it’s an easy choice for a festive family outing near Zurich.
Why Visit at Christmas
Guggenbühl is perfect for picking up Christmas gifts, ornaments, or simply soaking in the festive spirit. Free parking and entrance, along with accessible facilities, make it a carefree destination for families. For anyone who loves holiday décor, it’s a must-visit during the season.
Hauenstein Garten Center Baar
Founded in 1890, Hauenstein AG is one of Switzerland’s largest garden center groups, with Christmas exhibitions at its four locations: Rafz, Zurich, Baar, and Winterthur. We visited the Baar center which features delightful holiday displays, themed rooms, charming photo ops, and a Christmas village complete with a train—a firm favorite among our family. Families can expect around one hour of festive fun.
What to Expect at Hauenstein Baar
Guests are greeted by festive outdoor decorations and creative photo spots upon arrival. Inside, themed rooms—such as winter animals or gingerbread—showcase a wide range of holiday decorations and Advent wreaths. Our children loved the light path and the large Christmas village filled with moving displays. The train running through the village was a clear highlight. The kids enjoyed spotting delightful details like ice skaters, a popcorn machine with popping kernels, and a tiny cable car in motion. The single-story layout is accessible, though it can be tight for strollers when crowded.
Getting There and Food Options
Hauenstein Baar is just a 10-minute drive north of Zug or about 30 minutes south of Zurich. Free parking is available onsite. The Christmas display typically runs from late October until Christmas Eve, with occasional Sunday openings (check website). On special dates, a local bakery serves warm soup, desserts, hot dogs, and drinks at picnic tables, with payment options including cash or TWINT.
Why Visit at Christmas
The Hauenstein Christmas display is ideal for families with young children. Free entry and parking, cozy indoor spaces, and themed displays create the perfect setting for holiday fun—even for a spontaneous visit. The standout highlight for our family was the large Christmas village with its charming train.
Meier Garden Center Christmas Experience
Meier Garden Center, near Rapperswil, is more than just a nursery—it’s a year-round family destination. While known for its butterfly house in summer, Meier also hosts a Christmas display featuring family activities and workshops. The center includes an indoor playground, child care, treasure hunts, and a self-service restaurant. It’s on our wish list for festive outings this year. The center is about 30 minutes southeast of Zurich, with ample parking (fees apply).
Plan Your Family Festive Visit
Garden center Christmas exhibitions in Switzerland are hidden holiday treasures—wonderful for families seeking festive spirit, new decorations, and fun indoor activities. With free entry, convenient parking, and a memorable array of displays, centers like Guggenbühl and Hauenstein make for perfect family holiday outings. For more winter inspiration, explore our blog for additional family-friendly destinations and seasonal tips.