Things to Do in Interlaken in December

December Weather in Interlaken

3°C (38°F) High Temp

-2°C (28°F) Low Temp

91 mm (3.6 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas market season transforms Interlaken into a winter wonderland with Glühwein stalls, handcrafted gifts, and traditional Swiss holiday atmosphere from December 1-23
Perfect ski conditions with 150-200 cm (59-79 inches) of fresh powder on Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn - lifts operate 8:30am-4:30pm with minimal crowds before December 20th
Jungfraujoch 'Top of Europe' offers crystal-clear mountain views in cold weather - visibility extends 50+ km (31+ miles) on clear days, impossible during summer cloud cover
Hotel rates drop 40-60% in early December compared to peak winter season, with luxury lakefront properties available for CHF 180-250 instead of CHF 400+ in January

Considerations

Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (8:00am-4:30pm) restricts outdoor activity time and cable car operations end by 5:00pm
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz activities completely unavailable - boat tours suspended, paragliding cancelled 80% of days due to weather conditions
Hiking trails above 1,200m (3,937 ft) inaccessible without specialized winter equipment; popular summer routes like Harder Kulm become technical mountaineering

Best Activities in December

Jungfraujoch Winter Railway Experience

December offers the clearest mountain visibility of the year with crisp alpine air and minimal cloud cover. The cogwheel railway to 3,454m (11,332 ft) operates full schedule with heated cars. Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory provide indoor activities when outdoor temperatures drop to -15°C (5°F). Fresh snowfall creates pristine glacier landscapes impossible to see in other seasons.

Booking Tip: Book 5-7 days ahead for CHF 75-95 tickets. Morning departures (8:00-10:00am) offer best visibility before afternoon clouds. Combination tickets with Grindelwald-First save CHF 20-30. Reference booking widget for current tour packages including round-trip transport.

Interlaken Christmas Market Tours

December transforms Höhematte Park into traditional Swiss Christmas market with 40+ wooden chalets selling handcrafted ornaments, raclette, and mulled wine. Evening tours (5:00-8:00pm) showcase illuminated Alpine backdrop with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Local artisans demonstrate wood carving and cheese making - authentic cultural experience unavailable other months.

Booking Tip: Free to explore independently or join guided food tours for CHF 45-65 including tastings. Markets operate December 1-23, closed December 24-26. Evening visits require warm clothing as temperatures drop to -5°C (23°F). Check current guided tour options in booking section below.

Grindelwald-First Winter Sports

First Cliff Walk transforms into winter wonderland with snow-covered suspension bridge and mountain restaurant serving traditional Swiss cuisine. Toboggan runs operate in December with 3km (1.9 mile) runs down to Bort station. Cable car operates 8:30am-4:00pm with heated gondolas providing comfortable transport in -10°C (14°F) conditions.

Booking Tip: Cable car tickets CHF 32-42 for round-trip. Toboggan rental CHF 15-20/day. Book accommodation packages including lift tickets for 20% savings. Winter hiking boots essential for icy conditions. See current winter activity packages in booking widget below.

Lauterbrunnen Valley Winter Photography Tours

Staubbach Falls freezes into dramatic ice formations creating unique photographic opportunities. Valley floor accessible via heated postal buses with winter stops at Wengen and Mürren cable stations. December's low sun angle (maximum 15° elevation) creates golden hour lighting from 2:00-4:00pm perfect for Alpine photography.

Booking Tip: Photography workshops CHF 120-180 including equipment and transport. Self-guided options use public transport day pass CHF 35-45. Crampons recommended for waterfall viewpoints. Professional guides provide technical camera settings for snow conditions. Current photography tour options available in booking section.

Thermal Spa Experiences

December's cold temperatures make heated thermal pools particularly appealing. Indoor facilities at Victoria Jungfrau and Kursaal maintain 34-38°C (93-100°F) water temperatures contrasting with outdoor air. Traditional Swiss spa treatments including Alpine herb wraps and mountain stone massages provide authentic wellness experiences during short daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Spa day passes CHF 85-140 depending on facilities included. Book treatments 3-4 days ahead for weekend availability. Evening spa sessions (6:00-9:00pm) offer relaxation after cold weather activities. Package deals with accommodation save CHF 40-60. Check current spa packages in booking widget.

Bernese Oberland Train Journeys

Scenic train routes showcase snow-covered Alpine landscapes visible only in winter months. Golden Pass Line to Montreux operates heated panoramic cars with floor-to-ceiling windows. December snow coverage extends to valley floor creating complete winter landscape from 600m (1,968 ft) elevation. Route takes 2.5 hours with multiple photo stops.

Booking Tip: First-class panoramic seats CHF 65-85 versus standard CHF 35-45. Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited access plus cable car discounts. Morning departures offer best lighting for photography. Reserve panoramic car seats 24-48 hours ahead. Current scenic train packages available through booking widget below.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-23

Interlaken Christmas Market

Traditional Swiss Christmas market in Höhematte Park featuring local artisans, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and handcrafted gifts with Jungfrau mountain backdrop. Live music performances and children's carousel operate daily 11:00am-8:00pm.

December 31

New Year's Eve Fireworks at Harder Kulm

Panoramic New Year's celebration at 1,322m (4,337 ft) overlooking Interlaken with champagne reception and midnight fireworks display. Funicular operates special late-night service until 1:00am December 31st.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) with non-slip soles - essential for icy cable car stations and Christmas market cobblestones

Layered clothing system: thermal base layers, fleece mid-layer, waterproof shell jacket for temperature range -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F)

Waterproof winter gloves and wool hat - exposed skin suffers frostbite in under 10 minutes at Jungfraujoch temperatures

Sunglasses with UV protection - snow reflection at altitude increases UV exposure by 80% even in December's low sun

Portable phone charger - cold weather reduces battery life by 40-50% during outdoor activities

Cash in Swiss Francs - many Christmas market vendors don't accept cards, ATMs charge CHF 5-8 withdrawal fees

Moisturizer and lip balm - 70% humidity drops to 20% at altitude causing rapid skin dehydration

Waterproof camera protection - snowfall occurs 60% of December days, often starting suddenly at altitude

Traction devices (micro-spikes) for hiking boots - black ice forms on walkways above 800m (2,625 ft) elevation

Warm scarf or buff - neck protection crucial when wind chill drops effective temperature by 10-15°C (18-27°F)

Insider Knowledge

Book cable car tickets online 24 hours ahead for CHF 5-8 savings and guaranteed seats - walk-up availability drops to 30% after December 20th

Shop at Coop and Migros supermarkets before 6:00pm - limited Sunday hours (10:00am-6:00pm) and higher tourist area prices inflate costs 40-60%

Use Interlaken Ost station for Jungfraujoch trains - Interlaken West adds 8 minutes and CHF 3.20 to every journey

Christmas market Glühwein mugs cost CHF 4-6 but vendors refund CHF 2-3 deposit - locals collect mugs as souvenirs saving money on gifts

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating cold at altitude - Jungfraujoch temperatures average -15°C (5°F) even when Interlaken shows 3°C (37°F)

Planning summer hiking routes - trails above 1,200m (3,937 ft) require winter mountaineering equipment and experience

Expecting long daylight hours - sunset at 4:30pm limits outdoor activities and cable car operations end by 5:00pm