A wonderful way to celebrate the season is with a brunch with Santa while cruising on Lake Zug. Zug is located between Zurich and Lucerne—just a little over a 30-minute drive from both cities. Every year, Zugersee Schifffahrt offers a Sunday Santa Brunch early in December. Families can relax, enjoy a festive meal, and have a special visit from Samiclaus, the Swiss Santa. The two-hour cruise across Lake Zug provides beautiful winter views and creates a memorable holiday experience for both kids and adults.
Brunch and Boat Details
The Santa Brunch takes place on one of the large ferry boats that cruise along Lake Zug. Inside, there’s a comfortable restaurant where guests can reserve a table and enjoy a freshly prepared brunch. Many of the foods are locally sourced, including a selection of breads, cheeses, and salamis, plus a dessert buffet. The menu can be found on the Zugersee Schifffahrt website. Our children’s favorite part was the all-you-can-drink hot chocolate. The boat is decorated for the Christmas season, and we were fortunate to go after it snowed, turning the surrounding countryside into a winter wonderland. This is a great Christmas activity for families with mobility concerns since there’s comfortable indoor seating and minimal stair access.
Visit with Samiclaus
After we had settled in and enjoyed our meal, Samiclaus and his helper Schmutzli boarded the boat. It was fun to experience Swiss traditions and culture. Samiclaus greeted the children in German (Deutsch), but when he noticed our kids spoke English, he kindly switched so they could chat with him too. Each child received a gift bag with items like colored pencils and a yo-yo. Families also had the chance to take photos with Santa.
Tickets, Arrival, and Parking
Tickets for the Santa Brunch cruise must be reserved in advance—online, by email, or by phone. We made our booking via email, and the staff were very responsive in answering our questions. The brunch buffet and boat ticket are purchased separately. Don’t forget to mention your Half-Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, or Junior Card to receive discounts on the boat fare. The cruise departs from the “Zug Bahnhofsteg” dock, which is only a 5-minute walk from Zug’s main train station and easily accessible by public transport. For those driving, nearby parking is available at underground garages such as “Parkhaus Coop City Zug.”
Final Thoughts
The Santa Brunch on Lake Zug was a wonderful way for our family to get into the festive spirit. We loved experiencing traditional Swiss Christmas customs while enjoying a scenic lake cruise. The locally sourced food, warm atmosphere, and dessert buffet made it even more special. It’s a delightful family Christmas activity in Switzerland.