Switzerland all year round Traditions, nature and enjoyment

Scroll

Hint

Intro

Month after month, discover traditional customs, local specialties and the unique beauty of the Swiss landscapes. From the lively carnival celebrations in February to the atmospheric Christmas markets in December, each time has its own charm. 

Winter January

It starts with New Year's Eve fireworks and New Year's celebrations in January, especially in the cities. A unique attraction is the International Balloon Festival in Château-d'OEx at the end of January. In addition, January is ideal for winter sports in the Swiss mountains with top ski resorts.

  • Customs

    Epiphany:
    On 6 January, the Swiss become royal: the traditional Epiphany cake, a sweet pastry, is served. Whoever has the hidden king in their bun will be queen or king of the day.

  • Specialities

    Cheese dishes:
    fondue and raclette are particularly popular during the cold winter months. Definitely worth trying. Especially recommended: use locally produced cheese.

  • Event

    Lauberhorn Races:
    One of the highlights of the Ski World Cup: the Lauberhorn Races in Wengen. The ski race takes place every year in mid-January and attracts thousands of visitors.

Waldstatt, Silvesterchlaeuse
Waldstatt, Silvesterchläuse
Urnaesch, New Year's Eve
Zurich, Fireworks
Platzhirsch Frauenfeld, Raclette
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, cheese fondue
Zermatt, Skiing
St. Moritz, Panorama

Winter February

February is famous for the lively Carnival celebrations, especially in Basel, where the Basel Carnival, one of the largest carnival events in the world, takes place. The Swiss Alps continue to offer perfect conditions for skiers and snowboarders.

  • Customs

    Chalandamarz:
    The Chalandamarz on 1 March in Graubünden, where winter is chased away with bells and whips, already begins in some places at the end of February.

  • Specialties

    Lenten tart:
    Lenten tart is a traditional Swiss pastry with anise seeds that is enjoyed during Lent and stands out for its crispy texture and three incised holes.

  • Event

    White Surf:
    Unique horse racing on the frozen St. Moritz

Guarda, Chalandamarz
Basel, Carnival
Engadine St. Moritz, White Turf

Spring March

The beginning of spring also marks the start of the hiking season in Switzerland. The hiking trails in the lower Alpine regions are particularly attractive. In addition, the Geneva Motor Show attracts automobile enthusiasts from all over the world.

  • Customs

    Tschäggättä:
    Tschäggättä is a carnival custom in the Lötschental, where people dressed up in masks and furs frighten people.

  • Specialties

    Wild garlic:
    Wild garlic is a wild herb known for its strong garlic-like aroma, often used in pestos and soups.

  • Event

    Engadin Skimarathon:
    A cross-country race over 42 km from Maloja to S-chanf in the Engadine.

Tschäggättä, Lötschental
Nature Park Wilderness Park Zurich-Sihlwlad, wild garlic
Maloja, St. Moritz, Engadin Ski Marathon

Spring April

April is known for Zurich's Sechseläuten, a traditional spring festival where a snowman, the Böögg, is burned to officially say goodbye to winter. Temperatures are getting milder and nature is starting to bloom, making Switzerland a beautiful destination for nature and photography lovers.

  • Customs

    Tulip Festival:
    The Tulip Festival in Morges, known as the Fête de la Tulipe, is a wonderful spring tradition in Switzerland that takes place in April and May.

  • Specialties

    Asparagus:
    Asparagus is a tender vegetable, known for its long stems and mildly nutty flavour, available in white and green.

  • Event

    Sechseläuten:
    A spring festival in which the Böögg, a symbolic snowman, is burned.

Morges, Tulip Festival
Green asparagus
Zurich, Sechseläuten

Spring May

May heralds the high season for hiking and outdoor activities. The landscape is covered with blooming flowers and traditional May celebrations take place in many villages. In addition, many mountain railways will reopen for the summer season.

  • Customs

    Herens cows:
    Combat des Reines is a competition with Herens cows, a robust Swiss breed known for its fighting spirit.

  • Specialties

    Strawberries:
    Strawberry season is about to begin and fresh, locally grown strawberries can be found everywhere.

  • Event

    Mangialonga in Mendrisio:
    A culinary festival in Mendrisio that offers a tour of local gastronomy with food and wine tastings along a set route.

Les Hauderes, Cow Fight
Swiss Farmers' Association, Strawberries
Mendrisiotto
Les Pléiades, Daffodil field
Weggis, Spring Evening Panorama
Brienz Rothorn Bahn

Summer June

In June, the hiking and mountaineering season in Switzerland reaches its peak, ideal for exploring the breathtaking landscapes. At the same time, music and cultural festivals, such as the nationally celebrated Fête de la Musique, provide cultural diversity and entertainment.

  • Customs

    Federal Yodelling Festival:
    The National Yodelling Festival is a festival that takes place every 3 years in Switzerland.

  • Specialties

    Cherries:
    Cherries from the Basel region are particularly prized.

  • Event

    Art Basel:
    One of the most important international art exhibitions for modern and contemporary art.

Kleine Scheidegg, Yodelling Choir
Cherries
Basel, Art Basel

Summer July

In July, Switzerland hosts music and cultural festivals such as Montreux Jazz and Verbier Festival, while the warm temperatures invite you to swim in the numerous lakes and rivers.

  • Customs

    International Alphorn Festival:
    The International Alphorn Festival is more than just a gathering of alphorn enthusiasts, but a great celebration of Swiss traditions.

  • Specialties

    Potatoes:
    New potatoes and fresh herbs such as parsley enrich the summer kitchen.

  • Event

    Montreux Jazz Festival:
    One of the most famous jazz festivals in the world on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Nendaz, Alphorn Festival
Lausanne, new potatoes
Montreux, Jazz Festival
Gandria, Swimmers
Basel, Rhine Swimming

Summer August

In August, Switzerland experiences the National Day with fireworks and festivals, while numerous Alpine festivals celebrate cultural diversity under a warm summer sky.

  • Customs

    1. August:
    Federal celebration on 1 August with traditional fireworks, folk festivals and the lighting of bonfires.

  • Specialties

    Summer vegetables:
    The time of summer vegetables such as courgette (courgette) and tomatoes, which are abundant in gardens and markets.

  • Event

    Locarno Film Festival:
    One of the most important film festivals in the world, held in Locarno in the canton of Ticino.

Titlis, 1. August Event
Tomatoes
Locarno, Film Festival
Faelensee, Alpstobete
Männlichen, costume festival

Autumn September

Autumn begins and with it the grape harvest in the Swiss wine regions, a highlight for wine lovers. Hikes through the brightly coloured forests are particularly charming.

  • Customs

    Alpine descent:
    Traditional cattle drive from the summer pastures to the villages, takes place in various cantons.

  • Specialties

    Pome fruit:
    Apples and pears ripen and the harvest begins.

  • Event

    Winegrowers' Festival:
    Every year, the Neuchâtel region celebrates the start of the grape harvest on the last weekend in September.

Appenzell, descent of cattle from the alps
Apples
Granges, grape harvest
Kloentalersee, Autumn hike

Autumn October

In October, the Swiss celebrate Thanksgiving with regional markets and cattle drives, while the Zurich International Film Festival and the Basel Autumn Fair enliven the cultural scene.

  • Customs

    Chestnut Festival in Ticino:
    The Chestnut Festival celebrates the harvest and culture around the chestnut, once an important staple food of the local population in this region.

  • Specialties

    Pumpkin family:
    Pumpkin in all its varieties – from soups to cakes.

  • Event

    Bénichons:
    The Bénichons are a centuries-old autumn tradition that is celebrated in many towns in the Fribourg region.

Ascona, Castagnata - Chestnut Festival
Pumpkin
Chatel-St-Denis, Cortege de la Benichon
Basel, Autumn Fair

Autumn November

In November, the pre-Christmas season slowly begins in Switzerland. The cities start with the festive illuminations and the Christmas markets, which create a cosy atmosphere.

  • Customs

    Räbeliechtliumzug:
    A parade with carved beetroot lanterns brings light into the dark autumn nights.

  • Specialties

    Game season:
    Many restaurants offer game dishes with deer, roe deer, wild boar and other game species, often accompanied by autumn side dishes such as red cabbage, chestnuts and spaetzle.

  • Event

    Zibelemärit (Onion Market):
    A traditional market where onions and garlic are sold in intricately braided braids.

Inn Oxen Rothenburg, wild menu
Bern, Onion Market

Winter December

December is the month of Christmas markets, with the famous Christkindlimarkt in Zurich and the Montreux Noël. In addition, it is the time when many go to the mountains to open the winter sports season.

  • Customs

    Santa Claus parades:
    In which Santa Claus (St. St. Nicholas) and Schmutzli and bring them nuts, tangerines and gingerbread.

  • Specialties

    Biscuits (Christmas cookies):
    Like Brunsli, cinnamon stars and Mailänderli are part of the pre-Christmas season.

  • Event

    Fête de l'Escalade:
    The Escalade is a historical festival celebrated at the beginning of December to honour the city's victory over the attacking Savoyard troops in 1602.

Fribourg, St. Nicholas Celebration
Mailänderli
Geneva, Christmas Market
Basel, Christmas Market
Montreux, Christmas Market
Geneva, Fête de l`Escalade

More topics