The Christmas Pyramid outside Stadelhofen Railway Station
“Weihnachtspyramide”
20th November – 24th December 2025
The Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) Stadelhofen 2025
Ever wondered what the big wooden structure serving Glühwein and raclettes right outside Stadelhofen station is all about? It’s erected every year shortly before Christmas and is known as the “Weihnachtspyramide” or Christmas Pyramid. It takes its place right outside Stadelhofen station on the same day that all the main Zurich Christmas Markets open (this year on 20th November) and the day that the Lucy Christmas Lights are switched on.
The Christmas Pyramid – A Tradition Dating Back to the Middle Ages
Christmas pyramids date back to the Middle Ages. Typically in southern and western Europe people decorated their homes with green branches from local trees, whereas in the northern and eastern Europe they decorated them with lights. The Christmas Pyramid brings together both traditions in one.
Wooden Christmas Pyramids
They say that it was the German carpenters from the Erzgebirge mountains who’re the first to design the Christmas pyramids and because the shape of these wooden constructions resembled the Egyptian pyramids, they gave them the name “pyramids”. They painted them and decorated them with carved wooden figures from the Bible and started what became an Advent and Christmas tradition.
Glühwein and Raclette
Warming Winter Fare at the Pyramid at Stadelhofen
Today Stadelhofen station with its Christmas Pyramid is very much part of Zurich’s Christmas tradition. It’s erected every year at the end of November and it serves all sorts of seasonal fare from Raclette to Glühwein and even Churros! It becomes a convenient stop for weary travellers and commuters and a popular place for a quick drink before catching the train.
Stadelhofen Railway Station
It is certainly located in a great spot as Stadelhofen railway station was designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and up to around 150,000 commuters pass through it each day. There are numerous shops, cafes and food stores in the Stadelhofen arcade which are open 365 days a year. And for four weeks at Christmas the Christmas Pyramid joins the station’s attractions.
During Advent the Weihnachtspyramid’s piping raclette and hot drinks are the perfect antidote to a cold Winter’s day, so why not pop by for a Glühwein when you’re next at the station?
The Christmas Pyramid at Stadelhofen (Weihnachtspyramide)
Where: Outside Stadelhofen Railway Station
Dates: 20th November – 24th December 2025
Opening Times: 11am – 9pm Sunday – Wednesday and 11am – 10pm on Thursday – Saturday
The Christmas Pyramid Outside Stadelhofen Railway Station
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