The image is repeated at some Christmas markets in Europe: Santa Claus on a red sleigh flies over the wooden chalets of a flea market. This Christmas experience is full of magic and fantasy and also free of charge and usually has a similar pattern. They fly at a few specific times each day, so to see them you’ll need to know where they fly and when they fly.
Here are three of the most popular markets where you can enjoy these Flying Santa’ s and their schedule.
Don’t miss Santa flying!
Flying Santa in Montreux, Switzerland
📍Where to see: Between the CGN pier and Place du Marché facing Lake Geneva.
🕑 When: daily from 21 November to 24 December 2024 at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. Additional pass at 4pm on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
Montreux on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva in Switzerland, is famous for its enchanting atmosphere. Every year it holds a beautiful market with several different venues and a small fair. At the Montreux Christmas market you will find stalls selling local handicrafts as well as typical Swiss cuisine. You can also enjoy live Christmas music and see Father Christmas soaring through the skies in his sleigh – a spectacle that fascinates young and old alike!
One of its attractions is the Father Christmas who crosses the market every day, flying over it very close to the shore, between the CGN pier and the Place du Marché. He passes by in a red sleigh that sparks halfway across the market. One of the best places to see it is in the chalets-restaurants facing the lake, for example La Poya. From your balcony you have a good view, but you will have to go inside and dine there to see it, as access is controlled.
Another good place to see it is by the illuminated reindeer figure on the lakeside promenade in the covered market area where the fair is located and near the Freddie Mercury statue. It is usually stopped in this area before returning by the same route in reverse.
The best time to see it is during the 16:00 hours on weekends and the 17:00 hours on weekdays, together with the last hours of sunset.
Flying Santa Claus at the Christmas market in Hamburg
- Location: Roncalli Christmas market in front of Hamburg town hall
- Dates: 25.11.- 23.12
The scent of roasted almonds and fresh mulled wine wafts into the nostrils of visitors to the historic Roncalli Christmas market at the Rathausmarkt in Hamburg from afar. The lovingly decorated Christmas village delights young and old alike. The highlight is the Flying Santa on Hamburg’s Town Hall Square in his sleigh three times a day.
For more than 20 years, he has been flying over this central Christmas market in the northern German city on a sparkling sleigh with reindeer every day at 4.00 pm, 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm.
Rambo Bügler, a famous high-wire artist in Hamburg, sits on it. At Christmas, he does not walk on the rope, but he does sled along it on a metal cable from the big Christmas tree on Alsterfleet to the east wing of the city hall. Along the way, a ‘Ho ho ho’ can be heard over the loudspeakers. Rambo Bügler has been playing this role for more than 20 years.
After the ride, Rambo usually strolls through the market after the show. You can take the opportunity to pose with him and have your photo taken. More than endearing!
Flying Santa Claus at the Christmas market in Berlin
- Location: Berliner Weihnachtszeit in Rotes Rathaus
- Dates: 25.11 – 30.12
Berlin’s famous Rathaus Christmas market at City Hall also has its own flying Father Christmas. This Father Christmas is a favourite attraction, and you’ll see him take to the skies at three different times throughout the day: 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm. With the majestic town hall in the background, the sight of Santa flying over the flea market is truly magical, and adds a dreamy touch to this popular Christmas destination in the German capital.
If you get the chance to visit one of these markets, be sure to coordinate your schedule so you don’t miss the opportunity to see these incredible flying Father Christmases.
It’s a heartwarming Christmas experience!
