Polarzauber at Zurich Main Station

Every winter the main hall of Zürich HB becomes a Christmas village, and you don't even need to leave the station. Polarzauber fills the hall with market stalls from Swiss and regional producers, street food, mulled wine stands and bars, under a Lindt Christmas tree.

Food runs later than the stalls, and on Thursday to Saturday evenings the bars stay open until 23:30. The Nordic Bar and an Aperol Spritz bar keep the hall busy after work, the Swiss-Ski Lounge shows ski races on two big screens with a DJ, and the Parsennbahn Fondue Express serves fondue in a mountain-railway carriage. Book a table for that one.

New this year: an XXL Manor pop-up store and an advent calendar. There's also a programme for children, DJ nights, live music and a visit from St. Nicholas.

Entry is free. It's warm, dry and step-free, and dogs on a lead are welcome, though it gets very busy at peak times. Most stalls take cards, TWINT and mobile payment.