Popular customs and festivals in Switzerland

The New Year's Eve Procession in Wil is associated with what was originally known as "lantern inspection". In earlier times, it was obligatory for all houses to have emergency lighting. Compliance with the regulation was checked by a town committee.

Wildkirchli is a cave situated in the Alpstein range in Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden. It has become renowned for its prehistoric finds. On the second Sunday in July, the festival of the guardian angel is held there.

The festival of St. Alban's in Winterthur is somewhat exceptional since it is based on an historical event but has only recently been instituted.

On Christmas Eve at 21 hours, a few dozen mostly younger men, follow a traditional route through the village. They themselves are silent, but the bells they swing create a rhythmic din.

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.

On the second weekend in September each year, about 4'000 Zurich boys, ages 12 to 16, (and since 1991 girls too) take part in a marksmanship contest. They use a modern rifle like the one they will later be issued in the army.

This Zurich spring custom got its unusual name from the fourteenth century custom of ringing a Grossmünster bell at six o'clock in the evening to proclaim the end of the summer semester working day. The first ringing of the bell provided a good opportunity for a small springtime celebration.