Hi, I'm looking for somewhere that my daughter can meet Santa Claus in/near Zurich. I once saw that an American association organised something, but I cannot find it. As she's only 3, she's too you young to take the Jelmoli tram.
Thanks for your advice

Here maybe, she will probably love it http://www.chlaus-zuerich.ch/waldhuesli.php ! I have never been there myself yet, just found out about it recently and I intend to take my son this Christmas.

Sorry to disappoint, but in Switzerland Samichlaus (Santa) comes earlier and is not around on X-mas..
It says on the website that it will be open from 04th to 09th December!

A Mom wrote last year this nice piece. Samichlaus is comming to town (Zurich/Bahnhofstrasse) Sonntag, 25. November 2012 5pm. Maybe at your own house December 6th ?

Here is the American's Women Club Event. Unfortunately all Photos sessions with Santa are currently filled .

Ok, it's not in Zurich, but if you want to take a train trip up the snowy mountain to visit Santa Claus, you can visit Rochers de Naye. Details here

http://www.goldenpass.ch/CMS/default.asp?ID=345

I know a lot of people in Switzerland actually arrange Sammi klaus to come to their house... arranged through the local gemeinde or something. Not sure how...

By internet: http://www.chlaus.ch/chlausen-verzeichnis/lu.html

Everybody round these parts goes here: http://www.lepetitpays.com/en/the-hamlet-of-santa-claus

Any tips for Basel?

Just be aware that the traditional Swiss version is closer the supposed historical 'truth'.

Santa Claus is Bishop St. Nikolas, and is dressed as bishop and not as a cuddly ho-ho-ho red suited, white bearded, bespectacled grandpa; who visits on 6th Dec and only gives out monkey nuts, mandarins, lebkuchen and a few choccies.

Here, he is often accompanied by his Smutzlis - his helpers, with blackened faces (not a racist thing, but originating from the fact that they are woodmen and charcoal makers).

Their role is normally to chastise naughty children - unfortunately small children can find them a bit off-putting, when they haven't grown up with this tradition.

Maybe in the big cities there is more of the Anglo saxon influence.

That has always looked good to me. I am surprised that similar things are not on other mountains. Perhaps someone could set one up on Uetliberg

I just saw Santa driving a tram of angels near bellevue. I shit ye not.

Hate to break it to you but he's not real

Last year he came to the December English story time in Orelli fusilli (sp). Not sure if he is this year but it's Saturday at 10.

I'll truly hate you if you tell me the tooth fairy isn't real either.

Isn't that ear pasta?

What were you drinking? I must get some of that.

No, he's Barca

Thanks, that's cleared something up ...... I always wondered what the collective noun for angels, was.

Would have worked better using Athletico