Samichlaus in Grindelwald 2026 - St Nicholas visits the village
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On Sunday 6 December 2026, St Nicholas Day, Samichlaus comes to Grindelwald and parades through the village with Schmutzli and his donkeys.
Good to know
When: Sunday 6 December 2026, from 17:15
Where: from the Congress Hall to the Panoramaplatz, Dorfstrasse 77, Grindelwald
Format: Samichlaus procession with Schmutzli and donkeys, organised by Grindelwald Tourismus
Entry: details from Grindelwald Tourismus
Getting there: by train from Wengen to Grindelwald
The event
Families meet at the Congress Hall in Grindelwald at 17:15, and from there Samichlaus, Schmutzli and the donkeys make their way through the village, arriving at the Panoramaplatz at 17:30. The visit, called «Dr Samichlous chund z'Bsuech», is one of the village's Advent traditions and suits families with young children.
Plan your stay
Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn is 1 minute on foot from Wengen station, where the train to Grindelwald leaves. Back in Wengen after the evening, the spa has an indoor pool, an outdoor whirlpool, a sauna and a steam room, and the Cocktail Bar Lauberhorn, one of the hotel's restaurants and bars, has a fireplace. See what else is on this winter in Wengen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Samichlaus visit in Grindelwald?
Samichlaus is the Swiss St Nicholas, and on St Nicholas Day he comes to Grindelwald with Schmutzli at his side and his donkeys. Families meet at the Congress Hall at 17:15, and the procession then makes its way through the village to the Panoramaplatz. It is a warm, unhurried village tradition rather than a staged show.
When does Samichlaus arrive, and where do we meet?
The visit takes place on Sunday 6 December 2026, St Nicholas Day. Families meet at 17:15 at the Congress Hall in Grindelwald. From there the procession moves through the village and arrives at the Panoramaplatz, Dorfstrasse 77, at 17:30.
Is the evening suitable for young children?
Yes, it suits younger children well. Children who come along get their moment with Samichlaus, and the lantern-lit walk itself is half the fun. The gathering starts in the early evening, so the outing fits a family day.
How do we get from Wengen to Grindelwald and back?
The train connects Wengen and Grindelwald in under an hour, leaving from the station in the centre of the village and crossing over Kleine Scheidegg. The north face of the Eiger fills the window for much of the way. Time the return so you are not rushing after the procession, and check the last connection back before you set off, as winter evening timetables thin out.
Why stay at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn for an early-December trip?
Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn stands next to the station in the car-free centre of Wengen, so the walk from your room to the train is a matter of steps, warm coats and lanterns in hand. A December stay makes the Grindelwald evening a simple there-and-back trip rather than a logistical exercise. Book early, as the pre-Christmas weeks fill up.