Samichlaus in Grindelwald: a family day trip from Wengen
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On Sunday 6 December 2026, St Nicholas Day, Samichlaus comes to Grindelwald with Schmutzli and his donkeys. Families gather from 17:15 at the Congress Hall, then walk in procession to the Eiger+ square to meet him. It is a short train ride from Wengen, which makes it an easy afternoon out.
The event
The evening starts at the Congress Hall, where families gather from 17:15 as the light fades. From there a procession moves through the village to the Eiger+ square, and Samichlaus appears with Schmutzli at his side and the donkeys that carry his sacks. Children who come along get their moment with him, and the walk itself, lanterns and all, is half the fun. It is a warm, unhurried village tradition rather than a staged show, and it suits younger children well.
A day trip from Wengen
Grindelwald sits on the far side of the Kleine Scheidegg from Wengen, and the train connects the two in under an hour. You leave from the station in the centre of the village, ride up over the pass and drop down into Grindelwald, with the north face of the Eiger filling 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.
Practical information
Date: Sunday 6 December 2026, St Nicholas Day
Gathering: from 17:15 at the Congress Hall, Grindelwald
Route: procession from the Congress Hall to the Eiger+ square
Getting there: train from Wengen to Grindelwald, under an hour
Good for: families with children
Plan your stay
A December stay in Wengen puts the mountain railway on your doorstep, so a family afternoon in Grindelwald is a simple there-and-back trip rather than a logistical exercise. Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn, a Faern Collection Hotel, stands next to the station in the car-free centre, which means the walk from your room to the train is a matter of steps, warm coats and lanterns in hand. Book your early-December stay in good time, as the pre-Christmas weeks fill up.
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 the donkeys that carry his sacks. Families gather at the Congress Hall as the light fades, then walk in procession to the Eiger+ square to meet him. 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 gather from 17:15 at the Congress Hall in Grindelwald. From there the procession moves through the village to the Eiger+ square, where Samichlaus appears.
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.