Will it stay dark in shopping malls this year? At least the big distributors Migros and Coop or department stores like Glatt in Wallisellen ZH are getting along without big Christmas lights this year. But after the hardships of the Corona years, many cities and shops are reluctant to do without thoughtful lights altogether.
But in Zurich, Bern or Zug, the official Christmas lights won’t be on for that long.
The savings effect is minimal
For example, the Lucy lighting on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich will be on for 3.5 hours less per day since it started operating on 24 November. The Zürcher Bahnhofstrasse Association says: “Due to energy efficiency and Lucy’s already low power consumption, the savings effect is minimal. It’s about setting a good example and setting an example.”
According to Milan Prenosil (60), President of the City of Zurich Association, many shops also take the issue seriously; late in the evening many shops in downtown Zurich went dark. But there are also those who “go their own way”. The Illuminarium at the State Museum will show fewer shows and close the luminaria sooner.
Bern saved 15 percent of electricity
Bern also does less. The city is said to have saved around 15 percent of electricity with on-demand energy-saving measures and Christmas lights at Christmas and winter events.
st. Gallen is taking a different approach, giving up Christmas lights in schools, sports and leisure facilities, and administrative buildings. But the “Star City” does not shake.
Lucerne builds candle lanterns
There are also creative solutions to reduce power consumption. The city of Lucerne, for example, manages without electric Christmas lights and is putting 500 candle lanterns this year. For this purpose, a Christmas tree ornament should be illuminated by passers-by with muscle power.
By the way, the same initiative is taking place in the Christmas village at Zurich’s main train station: instead of the huge Swarovski tree, this year the Christmas tree will be illuminated with the muscle of passers-by using a velodynamo.
One thing is for sure: Christmas lights will continue to be controversially debated as long as municipalities and cities implement them in a federalist patchwork quilt. The savings from shorter lighting times are relatively small. But every kilowatt hour counts.