February / March.

Carnival is an integral part of Basel's identity. Culturally speaking, it is at the heart of its creative energies and represents three days when the city goes entirely wild.   

Lasting from Monday to Thursday following Ash Wednesday, the "Fasnacht" is recognized as the largest popular festival in Switzerland, with some 15,000 to 20,000 masked participants taking part. Owing to its uniqueness and quality, it has even been added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

Mid / Late April.

This Zurich spring custom got its unusual name from the medieval custom of ringing a bell of the Grossmünster every evening at six o'clock to proclaim the end of the working day during the summer semester. Since it marked the beginning of springtime, the first ringing of the bell provided a good opportunity for a celebration. 

In the 19th century, a new main protagonist was added to the celebration. Nowadays, the "Böögg", a snowman-like figure filled with firecrackers meant to represent winter, is burned to forecast the weather for the coming summer. 

Early May.

More than any other breed, the black Hérens cows have retained the instinct to organise themselves into a social hierarchy. To impose dominance, their heads clash and horns lock, each cow trying to get a good hold. Then they stand firmly and push with all their strength, the stronger one forcing the weaker to retreat.

In addition to these spontaneous clashes on the pastures, there are also organised fights to determine a regional and cantonal queen. The Finale Nationale de la Race d'Hérens takes place in May to select the queen cow leading the herd up to the Alpine meadows.

June.

Natural yodelling exists all over the world, but especially in mountainous and inaccessible regions where the technique was used to communicate over extended distances. Although yodelling was probably used back in the Stone Age, the choir singing only developed in the 19th century.

Out of Switzerland's many traditional events, one of the largest and most memorable is certainly the Swiss Yodelling Festival held once every three years in changing locations. Over the course of a weekend, visitors will experience various concerts, folkloric presentations, traditional food and pure Swissness.

Late July.

The alphorn has long been a tool used by farmers to call the cows from the pastures and to communicate with other people. Although nowadays the instrument has lost its original function, over time it has become a tourist attraction and a national symbol of Switzerland.

Every July, the Valais Drink Pure Alphorn Festival in Nendaz attracts alphorn blowers from the entire world. Held on a mountain plateau high above the village, the event features a traditional costume parade, alphorn introduction courses, the official alphorn blowing competition, as well as monumental alphorn concerts played by over 150 musicians simultaneously. 

July 31st / August 1st.

The Swiss National Day is celebrated every year on the first of August to commemorate the summer of 1291, when the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden concluded a historic alliance that is considered the foundation of the Swiss Confederation. 

Buildings are richly decorated with national flags, bakers produce special bread rolls and children carrying lighted paper lanterns roam the streets at night. The highlights of the festivities are the fireworks organised by the municipalities, as well as the numerous hilltop bonfires.

A special kind of celebration takes place at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. Beginning one day early, the largest waterfalls in Europe are illuminated already on July 31st with a spectacular light show and a magnificent firework display.

Mid-August.

Schwingen is a traditional Swiss sport similar to wrestling that is fought as a duel between two physically powerful competitors and has its own rules, grips and throws. Throughout summer, the best wrestlers, the nationally-acclaimed Bösen ("wicked-ones") pit their strength at different Schwingen festivals that often take place in a spectacular natural setting.

One of those festivals is the Schwägalp Schwinget in the Appenzell region. Set right below the mighty Säntis peak, this event impresses the spectators both with the brute force of nature and the enormous strength of the fighters. 

Late September.

Late summer is a time for celebration in many Swiss regions. After spending more than four months on Alpine pastures, the farmers and their solemnly decorated animals make a grand return to the plains.

Like many other cattle descents throughout the country, the Désalpe de Charmey is an impressive sight. Held every year in late September, this celebration is a must for those who love traditions. 

Mid-October.

Once considered the food of the poor, chestnuts are making a grand return to kitchens of the Ticino region. Today, the locals are proud of their culinary heritage and chestnuts are served throughout the canton, whether traditionally roasted, in the form of chestnut gnocchi or even as marrons glacés. 

To honour this regional treasure, a chestnut festival is organised every October in the picturesque town of Ascona. Accompanied by musical entertainment, visitors are invited to taste over 2000 kg of these fire-roasted fruits and various other chestnut-based delicacies.

Late November.

Every year on the fourth Monday in November, the beloved Zibelemärit returns to the Swiss capital. As the upper part of Bern's old town is transformed into a giant marketplace, the air in its lanes fills with the sweet scent of onion tarts and Glühwein.

Throughout the day, thousands of visitors enjoy the tasty specialities and the artistically woven onion braids, which are sold by hundreds of regional farmers, along with other winter vegetables, drupes and nuts.

December 11-12th.

The Escalade is a Genevan festival celebrated every year in December to commemorate Geneva's victory against the Duke of Savoy's troops in 1602. The battle was severe, but the people of Geneva valiantly defended their town. 

Let yourself be transported back to the 17th century as a parade of some 800 people in traditional costumes roam around Geneva's Old Town on foot or horseback. Keep warm beside a bonfire while enjoying the traditional chocolate cauldron (marmite en chocolat) - a delicious treat for chocoholics!