CHOOSE LANGUAGE
MapRegionsResorts200 Top AttractionsVideos Culture Nature

Popular customs and festivals in Switzerland

Select your Region:

Beromünster (Central Switzerland)
Unparalleled in Switzerland is the religious custom celebrated at Beromünster. In the early morning of Ascension Day, a large group on horseback leaves the town for a ride around the fields.
Beromünster
 
Hallwil (Central Switzerland)
The village of Hallwil, in Reformed Aargau, is the only one far and wide to maintain a complete cycle of winter customs, all taking place within one month. Such an effort naturally requires the initiative and the involvement of many people.
Hallwil
 
Küssnacht am Rigi (Central Switzerland)
On December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas' Day, the village of Küssnacht, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, glows in the light of some two hundred enormous, transparent bishops' miters which have been artfully designed, cut out of cardboard, assembled, and lit by a candle from within.
Küssnacht am Rigi
 
Lucerne (Central Switzerland)
The origins of the Lucerne Carnival, the celebration of which practically rules the town for a few days, are characterised by the figure of Fritschi, an elderly man with his wife known as the Fritschene, and the Fritschikind, or Fritschi's child.
Lucerne
 
OW / NW (Central Switzerland)

To mark the end of the Alpine summer, in many places there is an Alpine festival in which the dairy farmers and pasture owners join the villagers in giving thanks to God, while also having a great deal of fun and socialising.
OW / NW
 
Sursee (Central Switzerland)
In the country town of Sursee in Canton Lucerne, a well known custom is celebrated. It is unique within Switzerland and thus attracts crowds of spectators.
Sursee
 
Switzerland (Central Switzerland)
The early history of the Swiss Confederation is marked by a series of decisive battles in which the alliance formed in 1291 had to be defended.
Switzerland
 
Urnerland (Central Switzerland)
August 1, 1291 was the day representatives from the three original cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden met together on the Rütli, a meadow overlooking Lake Lucerne, and swore lasting allegiance to one another. The Swiss Confederation was born.
Urnerland
 
Zug (Central Switzerland)
On the Wednesday before St. Agatha's Day, the millers, bakers, and confectioners, who together form a brotherhood and guild, meet for a service of remembrance and thereafter enjoy a meal together.