Business · Companies · 12 hrs ago
Swiss Christmas market planned for Santa Monica Pier
Swiss organizers are planning a Christmas market at Santa Monica Pier in California this winter.
The Swiss Winter Village is scheduled to run from November 18, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
The project involves Miteinander AG, whose team also runs the Christmas village at Bellevue in Zurich.
Plans include more than 100 chalets selling crafts, gifts and Swiss specialties, along with an ice rink, a raclette chalet and visits from Santa Claus.
Entry will require a ticket, and organizers are inviting people to join a waiting list for early access, but ticket prices have not been announced.
Reactions online are mixed, with some people welcoming the idea and others questioning whether it will feel Swiss or be affordable.
Organizers want to blend Swiss traditions with local influences to create a gathering place suited to Santa Monica.
A Swiss-themed Christmas market called the Swiss Winter Village is planned for Santa Monica Pier in California.
The event is scheduled to run from November 18, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
Organizers plan more than 100 chalets, an ice rink, a raclette chalet and visits from Santa Claus.
The event is being brought to Santa Monica by Swiss organizers associated with Zurich’s Christmas village at Bellevue.
Online reactions include both interest and criticism, including concerns about possible costs and the warm weather.
- Who
- Swiss organizers, including the Miteinander AG, are involved.
- What
- They plan to hold a Swiss-themed Christmas market called the Swiss Winter Village, with more than 100 chalets and other attractions.
- When
- November 18, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
- Where
- Santa Monica Pier, California, by the Pacific Ocean.
- Why
- The organizers say they want to reflect Swiss traditions while creating an event with a local identity suited to Santa Monica.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
20 Minuten published its report on the planned Swiss Winter Village.
The Swiss Winter Village is scheduled to open in Santa Monica.
The planned final day of the Swiss Winter Village.
- Event
- Swiss Winter Village
- Location
- Santa Monica Pier, California
- Planned dates
- November 18, 2026–January 3, 2027
- Market chalets
- More than 100
- Planned attractions
- Ice rink, raclette chalet and visits from Santa Claus
What people are saying
What matters to us is less that the market looks as Swiss as possible, and more that it becomes a credible place to meet, where people like to come together.
At the same time, the market needs local influences and an identity of its own that suits Santa Monica and the people there.
I can't wait to pay 70 dollars to eat hot, industrially produced cheese fondue in the blazing sun at around 32 degrees.
It looks exciting.