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Welcome to the Medieval Christmas Market Dachsen 2026 in Dachsen
The medieval Christmas market at the Rhine Falls runs Friday 20 November 2026, 17:00–22:00, Saturday 21 November 10:00–22:00 and Sunday 22 November 10:00–17:00. Official, all weather. New in 2026: two market worlds at two castles in two cantons – Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall in Dachsen (Zurich) and Schlössli Wörth in Neuhausen am Rheinfall (Schaffhausen). Organiser: Turnei. Entry is free.
Europe’s largest waterfall, torches, fire pits, bagpipes and traders in period dress: Switzerland’s only fully medieval Christmas market. Rhine Falls boats come out of winter lay-up for this weekend. If you skip the ferry, walk 15–30 minutes across the SBB railway bridge from castle to castle.
Highlights & Attractions at the Medieval Christmas Market in Dachsen
- Free entry on both castle grounds – Schloss Laufen (Dachsen) and Schlössli Wörth (Neuhausen).
- Rhine Falls as backdrop, torches, open fire, mead, cider and house-recipe Glühwein.
- Traders with jewellery, leather, spices, armour and craft; food from grill, cauldron and wood oven (Dinnede, cheese pastries, lángos, chimney cake, crêpes).
- Jesters, pipers (HelleBarden), storyteller Marlin, a magician, gnome tree and a hand-cranked carousel.
- Archery and other games (some paid); falconry appeared in earlier editions – check on site for 2026.
- Rhyfall Mändli ferry between the castles: adults 3 CHF (about 3 EUR), children 6–15 years 2 CHF (about 2 EUR), under 6 free. The railway-bridge walk is free.
- Optional medieval brunch in Schloss Laufen’s knights’ hall (separate, schlosslaufen.ch) and a lift from Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall station straight into the castle.
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Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026
Friday is the opening night (17:00–22:00), Saturday the full day (10:00–22:00), Sunday the shorter close (10:00–17:00). Both banks run together. Loop: Schloss Laufen – bridge or ferry – Schlössli Wörth – back. The landing below Schloss Laufen is reached only by stone steps, not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs; the castle grounds themselves are about 90 percent accessible, with accessible toilets. Dogs on leads. Display weapons yes, sharpened weapons no (except period eating knives).
Music, fire and the waterfall replace a pop stage. There is no numbered concert grid; the bustle is continuous. Parking at the falls is free after 18:00 according to the organiser. S-Bahn S12/S33 to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or S9 to Neuhausen am Rheinfall.
Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall in Dachsen
Main address: Lauferstrasse / Rheinfallweg, 8447 Dachsen. The castle sits above the falls, with a lift from the station. Most medieval stalls, games and food are here, plus the optional knights’ hall brunch. Castle phone: +41 52 659 67 67. Dachsen is in canton Zurich, a few minutes by train from Schaffhausen.
Schlössli Wörth in Neuhausen am Rheinfall
Opposite bank, canton Schaffhausen, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, at the foot of the falls. Its own market world, same hours. Link: ferry (about 5 minutes, paid) or the SBB bridge (free, 15–30 minutes, open 24 hours, spectacular view). Doing both banks on Friday night is tight; Saturday is comfortable.
Schaffhausen Christmas Market at Allerheiligen
Three weeks later: 12–13 December 2026, 11:00–19:00 / 11:00–18:00, free entry in the 800-year-old cloister. Use the falls as the season opener and the monastery as trip two. Schaffhausen to Schloss Laufen is one stop.
Märlistadt Stein am Rhein
2 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, painted old town, free carousel, fairy-tale trail. The region’s long market. After the medieval falls weekend, Stein am Rhein is the December sequel – fairy tales instead of armour, same Rhine corridor.
Neuhausen Advent market and other High Rhine dates
Neuhausen: Advent market 28–29 November 2026 at the SIG site, minutes from Schlössli Wörth. Neunkirch Advent market: 21 November 2026 – overlaps the falls Sunday. Schaffhausen Martinimarkt: 18–19 November 2026, immediately before this event. Thayngen: 5 December 2026. Four weekends cover the canton plus Zurich wine country.
Tickets & Admission for the Medieval Christmas Market Dachsen Dachsen
Entry to both castle grounds is free. You pay for food, game stalls, the optional medieval brunch and the ferry: 3 CHF (about 3 EUR) per crossing for adults, 2 CHF (about 2 EUR) for children aged 6–15, under 6 free; operator Rhyfall Mändli. The bridge walk is free. There is no online admission ticket. Brunch separately via schlosslaufen.ch. Turnei: turnei.ch.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Dachsen
- Train first: Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall stop with lift into the castle (S12/S33 from Zurich, Winterthur, Schaffhausen). Other bank: Neuhausen am Rheinfall (S9). Car: A4 exit Dachsen/Rheinfall, signed parking; free after 18:00 according to the organiser. Saturday midday is tighter.
- Clothing: spray and wind off the falls; the market runs in rain. Waterproof shoes; cloaks look right, a shell jacket works better. Friday starts only at 17:00 – extra layer, not a torch.
- Stay: Dachsen is tiny. Book Schaffhausen, Neuhausen, Winterthur or a falls-view room early. With two nights, walk the falls path on Sunday morning before the market ends at 17:00.
- Access: bridge yes, ferry below Schloss Laufen no for buggies. About 90 percent of the castle grounds are accessible. Budget steps if you use the boat landing.
- Border: German guests from Jestetten/Singen are 20 minutes away. Bring ID. Cards plus a little CHF cash. Dogs on leads; leave sharpened steel at home.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
