Things to Do in Lausanne in December

December Weather in Lausanne

8°C (46°F) High Temp

-1°C (30°F) Low Temp

85 mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

75% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas markets at Place de la Palud and Flon district create magical atmosphere with vin chaud (mulled wine) stalls from December 1-23
Hotel rates drop 40-50% compared to summer peak, with lakefront properties offering winter packages starting around CHF 120-180 per night
Clear winter days provide stunning snow-capped Alps views across Lake Geneva - visibility often exceeds 50 km (31 miles) in cold air
Indoor cultural season peaks with Béjart Ballet performances at Théâtre de Beaulieu and special exhibitions at Olympic Museum with extended winter hours

Considerations

Daylight extremely limited - sunrise at 8:10am, sunset by 4:45pm gives only 8.5 hours of natural light for sightseeing
Lake Geneva steamboat services reduce to weekend-only schedule, eliminating weekday scenic cruises to Montreux and Evian
Frequent bise winds from northeast create wind chill making -1°C feel like -8°C (-18°F), particularly brutal along exposed lakefront promenades

Best Activities in December

Olympic Museum Winter Exhibitions

December features special winter sports exhibitions leading up to 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. The museum extends hours (9am-7pm) and offers heated indoor exploration perfect for cold, wet days. Interactive exhibits work better with smaller winter crowds.

Booking Tip: Advance tickets CHF 15-25 recommended for weekends. Purchase online to skip outdoor queues in cold weather. Combination tickets with temporary exhibitions save CHF 5-8. See current exhibition schedules in booking section below.

Lavaux Vineyard Winter Hiking

December offers crystal-clear Alpine views when weather permits, with bare vines revealing terraced architecture. No summer crowds on trails, and winemakers offer private cellar tastings CHF 25-45 per person. Trails stay accessible unless heavy snow (rare below 400m/1,312ft elevation).

Booking Tip: Check weather 48 hours ahead - postpone if rain/fog predicted. Book cellar visits 3-5 days advance through local wine estates. Guided tours typically CHF 35-55 including tastings. See current wine tour options in booking section below.

Lausanne Underground City Tours

Perfect December activity avoiding cold weather. Explore medieval underground passages beneath Cathedral and old town, maintaining 8-12°C (46-54°F) year-round. December groups limited to 6-8 people maximum, providing intimate experience impossible during summer.

Booking Tip: Reserve 7-10 days ahead as winter schedule reduces to weekends only. Tours CHF 20-30 per person, duration 90 minutes. Bring warm jacket for transitions between underground and street level. See current underground tour availability in booking section below.

Thermal Bath Day Trips

December makes nearby thermal spas like Lavey-les-Bains (45 minutes by train) incredibly appealing. Outdoor thermal pools at 34-39°C (93-102°F) create surreal experience in cold air. Train connections run every 2 hours, making day trips feasible.

Booking Tip: Book spa entry CHF 35-55 in advance during December weekends. Train tickets CHF 15-25 each way. Bring swimwear and flip-flops - rental costs CHF 10-15 extra. Morning departures recommended for full day experience. See current thermal spa packages in booking section below.

Gruyères Medieval Village Tours

December transforms this hilltop village 90 minutes from Lausanne into winter wonderland. Gruyères Castle offers indoor medieval exhibitions perfect for cold days, plus cheese and chocolate factory tours. Fondue season peaks in December with authentic recipes.

Booking Tip: Combined castle-cheese factory tickets CHF 25-35 save money over individual entries. Train connections via Bulle every hour. Book fondue restaurants 2-3 days ahead - expect CHF 25-35 per person. See current Gruyères tour options in booking section below.

Lake Geneva Winter Cruises

Limited weekend-only Belle Époque steamboat cruises offer heated salons and unique winter lake perspectives. Routes to Montreux (2.5 hours) pass snow-dusted vineyards and provide indoor comfort while enjoying scenery. Significantly fewer passengers than summer.

Booking Tip: Weekend-only schedule December-February. Book 5-7 days ahead as limited sailings fill up. First-class heated salons worth CHF 15-20 upgrade in cold weather. Departures typically 10am and 2pm. See current lake cruise schedules in booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-23

Lausanne Christmas Markets

Traditional markets at Place de la Palud feature local artisans selling handcrafted gifts, while Flon district hosts modern design market. Over 40 wooden chalets serve vin chaud, raclette, and regional specialties. Free outdoor ice rink operates in Flon.

Mid December

Festival de la Cité Winter Program

Indoor winter concerts and theater performances replace summer outdoor festival. Venues across old town host international artists, with many performances in heated medieval buildings adding atmospheric appeal.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof winter boots with good grip - Lausanne's steep cobblestone streets become slippery when wet, common 10+ days per month

Layered clothing system rather than single heavy coat - temperature swings from -1°C to 8°C (30-46°F) daily require adaptability

Compact umbrella AND waterproof jacket - December rain often comes with 20-30 km/h (12-19 mph) winds making umbrellas insufficient alone

Thermal underwear for outdoor activities - wind chill from bise winds makes temperatures feel 6-8°C (11-14°F) colder than actual

Warm hat covering ears - strong lake winds create significant head heat loss during lakefront walks

Waterproof gloves - regular gloves become useless quickly in frequent December precipitation

Warm scarf or neck gaiter - essential for the 1.2 km (0.75 mile) walk between train station and old town in cold wind

Sunglasses for rare clear days - snow reflection from nearby mountains creates surprising glare

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains battery 30-40% faster than normal temperatures

Cash in small denominations - Christmas market vendors often prefer cash, and CHF 5-10 notes work best for vin chaud and snacks

Insider Knowledge

Visit Olympic Museum after 4pm in December - admission drops to CHF 12 (regular CHF 18) and winter sunset views over lake are spectacular from terrace

Take metro M2 to Croisettes station for free heated underground connection to train station - locals avoid 15-minute cold surface walk during winter

December restaurant prix fixe menus offer best value - many establishments run CHF 35-45 three-course winter specials unavailable other months

Book Lavaux wine tastings for weekday mornings - vintners have more time in slow season and often include extra tastings or cellar tours at same price

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming lake cruises run daily - December schedule drops to weekends only, catching many tourists off-guard who plan weekday trips

Underestimating walking times in winter weather - plan 25-30% longer for outdoor distances due to careful footing on wet cobblestones and frequent stops to warm up

Booking summer-focused activities - many outdoor attractions close or reduce hours significantly, check current December schedules before planning