ILLUMINARIUM

From November 5 to December 30, 2026, the courtyard of the Zurich State Museum will be transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland for the ninth time. The ILLUMINARIUM is not a traditional Christmas market, but rather a festival of lights: immersive light shows, festive cuisine, music, and socializing make it a gathering place for families, groups of friends, and those looking to unwind after work. The festival area is free to enter; tickets are only required for the light shows.

Three different light shows, each lasting about 25 minutes and created by the artist collective PROJEKTIL, turn the courtyard’s facades into a screen.

Yuki’s Arctic Christmas: Conductor Yuki and her terribly spectacular friends celebrate Christmas in the far north and uncover a secret along the way. A journey through sparkling ice and dancing lights for young and old alike.

Yuki’s Pixel Zoo Jungle (new): Developed in collaboration with the Zurich Zoo, the show takes the audience on a journey through the rainforests of the Congo, the Amazon, and Indonesia. Gorillas, jaguars, sloths, and macaws interact with the audience, and knowledge about biodiversity is conveyed in a playful way, festively illuminated in Christmas attire.

Digital Art Show Art x Electronica: The works of Swiss artist Paul Klee come to life via video mapping projected onto the historic architecture. Shapes dance, colors pulse to the beat of electronic music, and lasers and disco balls transform the entire courtyard. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

The Yuki shows run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Art x Electronica from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The exact show time is listed on the ticket. From November 5 through 15, the first shows will begin a few minutes later due to twilight. Seating is limited; a box office with no seat guarantee is available on-site.

Dining

In the two-story fondue chalet, fondue gatherings and Christmas dinners take center stage—perfect for couples, groups of friends, and corporate events. Reservations are recommended; groups of 21 or more can book separately. In the open-access area, food stands around fire pits invite you to enjoy snacks and a light dinner, ranging from roasted chestnuts and waffles to Älplermagronen and pizza, as well as tacos and curries. Hot drinks and winter cocktails are available at the indoor and outdoor bars.

ILLU.DANCE

Every day starting at 7 p.m., national and international DJs spin tunes until midnight. Admission is free. From Thursday through Saturday, a minimum age of 21 applies starting at 8 p.m.

ILLU.KIDS

Every Sunday starting at 3 p.m., the kids’ disco kicks off with kid-friendly DJs, popcorn, cotton candy, syrup, and a visit from Yuki. Admission is free.

Dates and Hours

November 5 through December 30, 2026; closed on December 24 and 25

November: Monday through Saturday starting at 5:00 p.m.

December: Monday through Saturday starting at 4:45 p.m.

Sunday: starting at 3:00 p.m. each day

Outdoor bars until 11:00 p.m., club and restaurant until midnight

Prices

Festival area: free

Evening ticket (all shows): Adults CHF 23.90, teens (ages 10–16) CHF 14.90, children (ages 6–9) CHF 10.90

Single show: Adults CHF 14.90, teens CHF 9.90, children starting at CHF 5.90

Children 5 and under free. Children and teens must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: illuminarium.ch

Good to know

The festival takes place rain or shine; warm clothing is recommended. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and payment is cashless. The ILLUMINARIUM is not suitable for people with photophobia. Dogs are allowed until 8:00 p.m.; due to noise levels and crowds, an early visit is recommended.

Getting There

The Swiss National Museum is located right next to Zurich Main Station. Tram and bus stops: Bahnhofquai/HB and Bahnhofplatz. Traveling by public transportation is recommended.

Sustainability

The entire light display runs on LEDs, cooking is done using induction, and in its dining offerings, the ILLUMINARIUM prioritizes Swiss producers whenever possible and minimizes food waste.

Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.