I've heard that New Year's Eve celebration in Zurich is very festive, any truth on this one? please suggest your top European destination for New Year's. thanks!

No, not particularly. There are fireworks but that is about it.

Not sure why sansman said it isn't festive, as there is a usually pretty large street fair in Zurich on New Years Eve, there are stalls selling mulled wine and food, live music and DJs, street performers, and a large fireworks display at midnight, plus you can see the fireworks going off down the lake and up at the hotel on Utliberg. There are thousands of people out on the streets. It is a lot of fun, albeit usually cold. I have not celebrated in other European cities so cannot compare. The city is of course really beautiful at Christmas as the lights are up all over and there is a lit tree on every square.

I will be in Zurich on Dec 6 en route to India. Will the Christmas lights on Bahnhofstrasse be up by then?

agtoau-The city will most definitely be decorated with Christmas lights on December 6th. BTW, that's also the date we celebrate St. Nicholas Day in Switzerland.

The yearly Christmas Market "Christkindlimarkt" takes place from November 28th to December 24th and is open from 11 am to 9 pm on weekdays. Have fun!

Thank you, waggis, for affirming that Zurich will be lit up in very early December. I have seen the lights twice before (but that was in the second half of December) and the ambience was magical. I can't wait to spend an evening on the decorated Bahnhofstrasse followed by a meal at Hiltl.