St. Gallen – Star Market in the City of Stars 2026
What to expect
Sternenmarkt St. Gallen 2026 transforms the old town into an atmospheric Christmas wonderland from 26 November to 24 December. What makes it special is Sternenstadt St. Gallen: more than 600 glowing stars bathe the historic lanes in a unique light. On Gallusplatz, festive wooden huts offer gift ideas, crafts and specialities. There are also food and drink options around the Vadian monument. The Baroque setting of the UNESCO Abbey District makes a visit during Advent especially impressive.
Sternenmarkt St. Gallen 2026: Christmas in a sea of lights
A walk through St. Gallen during Advent feels a little like walking beneath a starry sky. The specially designed AllerSterne hang above the lanes and shine in a coordinated light display. The historic Abbey District is also right in the heart of the city. So you can visit the Christmas market and discover the old town's festive architecture. The best time for a stroll along Marktgasse and around Gallusplatz is during the blue hour.
Christmas huts on Gallusplatz
Gallusplatz is the centre of Sternenmarkt. Here you can find decorated wooden huts selling handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and culinary specialities. Unlike the very large markets, St. Gallen offers a relaxed, cosy stroll. The stalls also fit in well with the historic surroundings. The Christmas market is therefore a lovely choice if you want to enjoy the festive atmosphere without walking along a market stretching for kilometres. There are also many local shops in the centre to browse.
Sternenmarkt St. Gallen 2026: Sternissage and Chlausritt
The Sternissage on Thursday, 26 November at 18:30 is one of the highlights of the Advent season. The special Christmas lights in Marktgasse are celebrated then. The traditional Chlausritt, featuring decorated horses, also takes place on 3 December. The organiser gives 17:30 as the start time at Reithalle Kreuzbleiche. Families may also enjoy a visit to the Christkindlimarkt, which complements Sternenmarkt on two selected Saturdays.
Christkindlimarkt and other Advent events
The Christkindlimarkt takes place on 28 November and 5 December 2026, from 10 to 17, at Gallusplatz and in the surrounding lanes. There are also individual workshops, guided tours and other events in Sternenstadt. For example, a gingerbread decorating activity is scheduled for 2 December. Bear in mind that these additional activities may have their own locations and conditions. So check the organiser's programme calendar if you want to take part in a particular activity.
Christmas tree, Abbey District and food
A beautifully decorated Christmas tree stands on Klosterplatz. Together with the cathedral and illuminated lanes, it creates an impressive Advent setting. There are also plenty of food and hot drink options at the Vadian monument. The food stalls stay open later than the market stalls on Gallusplatz on many days. So you can still enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the evening, after the regular market has closed.
Opening times and Christmas Eve
The market and food stalls on Gallusplatz follow 2026 this schedule: Monday to Friday from 11 to 19, Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 18. On the opening day, Gallusplatz closes at 20. On 24 December, it closes at 16. The food and mulled wine stalls at the Vadian monument stay open later on many days. So if you visit late, be sure to distinguish between the two areas. The timetable shows the market on Gallusplatz.
Getting there and further information
Sternenmarkt is in the heart of the old town and is an easy walk from St. Gallen railway station. Travelling by public transport is therefore a particularly good option. You can also combine a visit to the Christmas market with a walk through the UNESCO Abbey District and along the illuminated Marktgasse. Entry to the festive old town is free; food, drinks and purchases are paid for separately. You can find the latest details and confirmed programme events on the official Sternenstadt St. Gallen website. Discover more Christmas markets in the region in the Kirmeskalender.
Highlights at a glance
What Sternenmarkt in der Sternenstadt has to offer
- Opening / ceremonial keg tapping
- Market stalls / traders' market
- Children's programme
- Procession
- Special lighting / world of lights
- Large Christmas tree
- Arts and crafts
More to experience in St. Gallen
AdvertisingProgramme & dates
- Thu26NovSternissage – switching on the Christmas lights18:30 – 19:30Marktgasse, St. GallenCeremonial Sternissage to mark the start of Sternenstadt 2026.
- Sat28NovChristkindlimarkt10:00 – 17:00Gallusplatz and surrounding old-town lanesAdditional market with handmade goods and other Advent events.
- Wed2DecGingerbread decorating14:00 – 17:00Webergasse 22, St. GallenLilus Advent event; check the official website for participation terms.
- Thu3DecChlausritt with decorated horses17:30Start at Reithalle Kreuzbleiche, Militärstrasse 2Traditional Chlausritt through St. Gallen; announced event time 17:30 to 19:50.
- Sat5DecChristkindlimarkt10:00 – 17:00Gallusplatz and surrounding old-town lanesSecond Christkindlimarkt Saturday of the season 2026.
Getting there & services
Walk from St. Gallen railway station through the old town to Gallusplatz. Marktgasse, the Vadian monument and the Abbey District can easily be combined.
- Good public transport links / special services
Frequently asked questions
When does Sternenmarkt St. Gallen 2026 take place?
Sternenstadt and Sternenmarkt are scheduled from 26 November to 24 December 2026.
Where is Sternenmarkt in St. Gallen?
On Gallusplatz in the old town. More food and drink stalls are located by the Vadian monument.
What makes Sternenstadt special?
Over 600 illuminated stars hang above the historic lanes, alongside the Christmas tree in the UNESCO Abbey District.
When is Sternissage 2026?
On Thursday, 26 November 2026, at 18:30 o’clock in Marktgasse.
When is Christkindlimarkt 2026?
On Saturday, 28 November, and Saturday, 5 December 2026, each time from 10 to 17.
When is the Chlausritt in St. Gallen 2026?
On 3 December 2026 from 17:30; the organiser lists Reithalle Kreuzbleiche as the starting point.
What are the Sternenmarkt opening hours?
The previous opening-hours schedule is Monday–Friday 11–19, Saturday/Sunday 11–18, until 20 on the first Thursday, and 11–16 on 24 December. Some food and drink stalls by the Vadian monument stay open longer; special opening hours for 2026 may still change.
