By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 20th January 2025 | Updated: 20th January 2025
Switzerland may be known as an incredible hiking and skiing destination, but it also has some truly unique festivals across the year as well. From exploding snowmen to confetti filled parades, to horse racing on frozen lakes and celebrating cows coming home for the winter, yes these are all real! Having lived in Switzerland for a few years now we have been lucky enough to see our fair share of Swiss festivals throughout the year and know which ones you really should experience.
So here are the top festivals in Switzerland that we would highly recommend you visit:
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Below we will go through what we know are the best festivals in Switzerland by month making it perfect for when you are planning a trip to the country, (these are by no means all of the festivals held just ones we know are great), but here is an overview of the best, and our favourite festivals across the country:
📍 International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Château-d’Oex
📍 Basel Fasnacht
📍 Sechseläuten in Zurich
📍 Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete various locations throughout the Alps
Best Festivals in Switzerland in January
Grindelwald World Snow Festival
For 5 days each January international artists descend on Grindelwald to create sculptures from 3m high blocks of snow. It started back in 1983 after Japanese artists carved a giant Heidi out of snow and has since grown into an annual event with teams from around the world taking part. It’s free to visit and you can see the sculptures on Bärplatz, Eiger + Nordwandplatz and at Männlichen.
📍 Location – Grindelwald
📍 Dates held – Mid January
📍 More information – www.grindelwald.swiss
Vogel Gryff, Basel
Vogel Gryff is the main celebration of the year for Kleinbasel, with music and processions based around three figures, Leu, (the lion), Vogel Gryff, (the griffin) and Wild Maa, (the green man). Starting at 10:30am with the Wild Maa sailing down the Rhine to the sound of gun shots, the celebration then takes to the riverbank along Kleinbasel where the three figures dance on the Mittlere Brücke, by Fischerstube, at Hotel Krafft and at Waisenhaus.
📍 Location – Basel
📍 Dates held – 13th, 20th or 27th depending on the year
📍 More information – www.basel.com
Saignelégier Sled Dog Races
A weekend of sled dog racing for teams from around the world, with over 100 mushers and over 800 sled dogs involved. Visiting Saignelégier during this weekend is fantastic not only the dog races, but also the sleigh rides and food markets that are held too.
📍 Location – Saignelégier
📍 Dates held – last weekend of January
📍 More information – www.j3l.ch
International Hot Air Balloon Festival
For the last week of January and often into early February, the skies around Château-d’Oex are filled with hot air balloons, paragliders, skydivers and hot air blimps at Switzerland’s one and only International Hot Air Balloon Festival. Weather depending, the balloons take to the skies every morning and sometimes throughout the day, which is a sight to behold with the surrounding snow and mountains! This is one of the most unique and beautiful festivals you can witness the Alps.
📍 Location – Château-d’Oex
📍 Dates held – End of Jan to early Feb
📍 More information – www.festivaldeballons.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in February
Basel Fasnacht
One of the biggest celebrations of the year in Basel, where over three days and nights, (it doesn’t actually stop between the Monday morning and Thursday morning), the city turns into one giant carpet of confetti alongside city wide parades, music performed by local Cliques and at the dedicated Guggenmusik night and of course some good food. We live in Basel and even though we have seen Basel Fasnacht numerous times we still get excited for it to come around again each year!
📍 Location – Basel
📍 Dates held – Various dates depending on where Easter falls in the year, but always Monday to Thursday
📍 More information – Basel Fasnacht
White Turf, St Moritz
The only official horse race on snow in the world, (which is in fact the frozen St Moritz Lake), White Turf is one of the most unique festivals in Switzerland. The event has been running since 1907, with official race days as well as family days and has quickly become the event of the year at St Moritz.
📍 Location – St Moritz
📍 Dates held – Early to Mid Feb
📍 More information – www.whiteturf.ch
Waterslide Contest, Braunwald
To celebrate the end of the peak ski season, brave skiers and snowboarders flock to Braunwald to try their best to slide over a water basin surrounded by snow.
📍 Location – Braunwald
📍 Dates held – End of Feb
📍 More information – www.myswitzerland.com
Best Festivals in Switzerland in March
Locarno Camellia Exhibition, Locarno
Locarno, in fact most of Ticino, is famous for its beautiful gardens, but March is when it really comes to life. At Camellia Park, a garden that is part of the ‘Gardens of Switzerland’, around 10,000 square meters are filled with over 200 varieties of flowering camellia which is celebrated during the end of March. There are also floral installations, traditional markets and concerts to help celebrate the new blooms.
📍 Location – Locarno
📍 Dates held – Mid to late March
📍 More information –www.ascona-locarno.com
Best Festivals in Switzerland in April
Sechseläuten, Zurich
Have you ever heard of the famous Swiss Böögg? Let’s be honest, unless you have spent time in Switzerland you probably haven’t, but the celebration of Sechseläuten has been held in Zurich since the early 20th Century and is a highlight of the year for the locals and Swiss alike. With parades, music and the lighting of the Böögg, (basically a snowman made from timber and explosives), where once the head of Böögg explodes it is officially the start of the spring in Switzerland. Also depending on how long it takes for the head to explode signifies if it will be a good or bad summer, the quicker it explodes the better and warmer the summer!
📍 Location – Zurich
📍 Dates held – Third Monday of April, afternoon only
📍 More information – www.zuerich.com
Zermatt Unplugged
Zermatt Unplugged is a music festival like no other. Held over 5 days where around 100 concerts are played across 18 stages, with both local and international artists, all with the iconic Matterhorn as a backdrop. Stages are both in the village of Zermatt and at the local mountains making it even more special.
📍 Location – Zermatt
📍 Dates held – Early April
📍 More information – www.zermatt-unplugged.ch
Nendaz Snow Vibes Festival
The official end of the winter season is celebrated in Nendaz with live music, snow sports and of course après-ski culture. There is also a waterslide festival for those brave enough to try!
📍 Location – Nendaz
📍 Dates held – Mid April
📍 More information – www.nendaz.ch
Fête de la Tulipe, Morges
Morges a small town along Lac Léman is the place to go if you want to see thousands of tulips blooming all along the lake side shores. With over 140,000 flowers and over 350 varieties of Tulips in Switzerland, this is one spring festival that you should try to see. The event is also held in public parks so is completely free of charge for all.
📍 Location – Morges
📍 Dates held – Throughout April
📍 More information – www.morges-tourisme.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in May
Bern Grand Prix
Fancy a run through the Swiss capital? The Bern Grand Prix is one of Switzerland’s most popular events, where over 30,000 runners take to the streets of the city on either a 16km, 5km or 1.5km run. So, if you fancy taking part in a run through the Swiss capital, or just to cheer on the athletes, be sure to check this festival in Switzerland out.
📍 Location – Bern
📍 Dates held – Mid May
📍 More information – www.gpbern.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in June
International Trucker & Country Festival, Interlaken
The International Trucker and Country Festival in Interlaken is a unique event showcasing a country and western scene. With a truck mile display, live country music, cowboys and of course a lot of good food all set against the Bernese Alps.
📍 Location – Interlaken
📍 Dates held – End of June
📍 More information – www.truckerfestival.ch
Swiss Wrestling Festivals – Schwingfest / Schwingen
Schwingen is basically a form of Swiss wrestling, with its own rules, grips and throws, (each of which is detailed in a wrestling manual!). Traditionally the winner receives a wreath, cowbells and a young bull amongst other things, some of which are still given as rewards today. So what was once a farmers pastime is now seen as a traditional festival across the country, with events held in numerous locations but most popular in the rural German speaking areas.
📍 Location – various locations throughout the German speaking Swiss Alps
📍 Dates held – various dates depending on location
📍 More information – www.myswitzerland.com
Planning your own trip to Switzerland?
Head to Switzerland Travel Centre to book any trains or excursions, and then use our discount code AFFTEDALDI to receive a 5% discount. We’ve just bought the Swiss Coupon Pass as it saves literally thousands on trips around the country, (for visitors and residents alike)!
Best Festivals in Switzerland in July
Montreux Jazz Festival
The famous Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the bet music festivals in Switzerland, and one not to be missed if you are visiting Switzerland in July. With numerous stages set along the lake side throughout Montreux with local acts alongside international musicians, there is a music stage for everyone. It also isn’t just Jazz music that is played, although that is how it originated, so you are guaranteed to find something you enjoy!
📍 Location – Montreux
📍 Dates held – Early to mid July
📍 More information – www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
Basel Tattoo
Another festival in Switzerland you shouldn’t miss is Basel Tattoo. This event is the second largest Tattoo event outside of Scotland, with numerous countries taking part in in the celebrations playing traditional music and performing traditional dances. The most loved of which is the famous Scottish bagpipes, which fill the city during the city-wide parade and at Kaserne each evening.
📍 Location – Basel
📍 Dates held – Mid July
📍 More information – www.baseltattoo.ch
Swiss Hiking Night
For one night only, hiking trails across Switzerland are ready and lined up to be hiked overnight, with events and themed hikes available. Of course, Swiss hiking trails are available for hiking year round and 24/7, but the Swiss Hiking Night is a dedicated night.
📍 Location – Throughout the country
📍 Dates held – Mid July
📍 More information – www.wandernacht.ch
International Alphorn Festival, Nendaz
The International Alphorn Festival, is a staple in Swiss calendar where around 100 alphorn players compete against each other and in teams, playing traditional and contemporary music, all in the name of celebrating one of the most unique Swiss traditions. If you miss out on the festival then there are often alphorn players at hiking destinations throughout the Alps too, we’ve seen them at Stoos and Schynige Platte to name a couple of locations.
📍 Location – Nendaz
📍 Dates held – End of July
📍 More information – www.nendazcordesalpes.ch
Fête du Dahlia
April isn’t the only month when the lake sides of Morges come alive with blooms, as July through to October the town once again comes alive but this time with dahlias. All along the Igor Stravinsky Quay comes alive with the blooms alongside art workshops, live jazz and market stands where you can buy your own Swiss dahlias.
📍 Location – Morges
📍 Dates held – July through to October
📍 More information – www.morges-tourisme.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in August
Swiss National Day (Bundesfeier / Fête Nationale Suisse)
Less of a festival but very much celebrated like one, Swiss National Day is one of the biggest events in the Swiss calendar, with firework displays and food markets held across the country either in the evening / night of the 31st July or 1st August itself. It celebrates the founding of the Swiss Confederation, so it is one of the only days that the Swiss are officially allowed to set off fireworks, so expect quite a few fireworks!
📍 Location – Throughout the country
📍 Dates held – 31st July through to 1st August
📍 More information – www.myswitzerland.com
Folklore Festival, Zermatt
First held in 1969, the Folklore Festival in Zermatt has grown into one of the biggest events in Zermatt. Bringing together associations from across the country, with each showing off traditional music, costumes and dance. There is also a parade through the centre of Zermatt with market stalls selling local food, drink and gifts.
📍 Location – Zermatt
📍 Dates held – Early / Mid August
📍 More information – www.zermatt.swiss
Biker Days International Motorcycle and Music Festival, Basel
This festival in Basel is a haven for motorcycle and music enthusiasts alike, with live music, street food, market stalls and anything you can think of biker related. There is also an impressive biker parade that goes around the city with literally hundreds of people taking part.
📍 Location – Basel
📍 Dates held – Early / Mid Aug
📍 More information – www.bikerdaysbasel.ch
Locarno Film Festival
Every August the main piazza in Locarno is transformed into a giant open-air cinema which showcases a wide variety of films over 11 days. Founded in 1946 this festival is a major highlight of the Locarno event calendar, so be sure to get tickets in advance!
📍 Location – Locarno
📍 Dates held – Early to Mid Aug
📍 More information – www.locarnofestival.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in September
Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete
These wonderful festivals are all about celebrating the local cows, sheep or goats coming home from the mountain pastures for the winter and are something you have to see at least once in your lifetime! They happen across September and October depending on the location in the Alps and the weather that year, but the animals are the star of the show, with flowery head dresses and traditional bells. They are often walked through the local towns / villages by the farmers and their families where there are markets selling local goods and food.
Alongside the Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete festivals, there are also sheep and cattle fairs across the country, again with local markets to sell wares from the area.
📍 Location – Various locations in the Alps
📍 Dates held – Various dates depending on the locations
📍 More information – www.myswitzerland.com
Zurich Film Festival
The Zurich Film Festival is a prestigious event celebrating global cinema each year, and one that is a major event in Zurich. Showcasing a wide range of films, from small independent productions to major Hollywood releases, it attracts filmmakers, actors, and audiences from around the world. If you get the chance to see any of the screenings, then be sure to get some tickets!
📍 Location – Zurich
📍 Dates held – End of September into Early Oct
📍 More information – www.zff.com
Best Festivals in Switzerland in October
Chestnut Festivals / Castagnatas
Chestnut stands will start appearing across Switzerland at the beginning of October, but if you want to try some of the best chestnuts around then head to the canton of Ticino. Ascona in particular has the most well known and biggest chestnut festival in Switzerland, so it’s one you can’t miss.
📍 Location – Ticino
📍 Dates held – Early to mid October
📍 More information – www.ticino.ch
As well as the chestnut festivals there are also various wine festivals throughout the country in early October including Herbstfest at Hallau and the Wine Festival in Nyon and cheese festivals, (Käsefest), which are held in cities, towns and villages throughout the country and across the month.
Herbstmesse, Basel
If you want one of the best festivals in Switzerland to visit in October, then Herbstmesse in Basel is the place to go. This annual festival is filled with fun fair rides, seasonal produce and market stalls selling food you won’t find elsewhere or that originated in the city such as Chäsbängel, (fondue filled bread rolls to die for!).
📍 Location – Basel
📍 Dates held – End of October through to mid November
📍 More information – www.herbstmesse.ch
Best Festivals in Switzerland in November
Rüeblimärt, Aarau
The first of the vegetable-based festivals in Switzerland in November, and this is based all around the cantonal vegetable of Aarau, the carrot. There is a large market selling local produce and all the carrot-based goods you can think of, including carrot cake, carrot soup, carrot bread, and even carrot sausages!
📍 Location – Aarau
📍 Dates held – first Wednesday of November
📍 More information – www.rueblimaert-aarau.ch
Räbechilbi, Richterswil
Just a short train trip out of Zurich, the Räbechilbi Festival celebrates all things turnip, with food stands alongside carved turnips filled with candles lighting up the village centre. They are also paraded through the village as part of giant floats, which is a fantastic thing to see.
📍 Location – Richterswil
📍 Dates held – first or second Saturday of November
📍 More information – www.vvrs.ch
Zwiebelmarkt, Bern
This traditional festival, that has been running since 1405, is based all around the humble onion, with beautiful onion plaits on sale alongside, local delicacies such as garlic bread, onion cakes and numerous other onion and garlic based foods. This is one festival for those who don’t mind getting up early however as the market stands start as 4 am!
📍 Location – Bern
📍 Dates held – fourth Monday in November
📍 More information – www.bern.com
Best Festivals in Switzerland in December
Christmas Markets
December in Switzerland, as with most of Europe, is of course the time for Christmas Markets, some lasting from late November through to Christmas Eve, some through to the New Year and some just for a weekend, but all just as wonderful as each other. With local and seasonal gifts and food on offer, as well as a gluhwein or too, visiting the Christmas markets in Switzerland is always a good idea.
📍 Location – Various locations across the country
📍 Dates held – End of November through to the end of December
📍 More information – Christmas Markets across Switzerland
Top Festivals in Switzerland by Genre
Top Seasonal Festivals in Switzerland
📍 Basel Fasnacht
📍 Sechseläuten, Zurich
📍 Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete
Top Film Festivals in Switzerland
📍 Locarno Film Festival
📍 Zurich Film Festival
Top Music Festivals in Switzerland
📍 Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux
📍 Zermatt Unplugged, Zermatt
📍 International Alphorn Festival, Nendaz
Top food Festivals in Switzerland
📍 Chestnut Festivals, Ticino
📍 Rüeblimärt, Aarau
📍 Zwiebelmarkt, Bern
Festivals in Switzerland FAQs
What is the main festival of Switzerland? / What is the biggest event in Switzerland?
The biggest event in Switzerland that is celebrated across the country is Swiss National Day on July 31st / August 1st. After this the next biggest events would be Christmas and New Year.
What is the biggest holiday in Switzerland?
This is again Swiss National Day, which is an official public holiday on August 1st.
What is the biggest music festival in Switzerland?
The biggest music festival in Switzerland is the Paléo Festival in Nyon, which is held for a week at the end of July. You can get more information about it here.
Does Switzerland celebrate Oktoberfest?
Yes, but not to the same extent as its German neighbours! You can find Oktoberfest events in the main cities such as Zurich and Basel, but be prepared to pay quite a price in comparison to any events held in Germany itself.
Which traditions are celebrated in Switzerland?
There are numerous traditions celebrated in Switzerland, from traditional music and dance to celebrating the cows coming home or historic food festivals like onion markets. Our favourites are definitely Basel Fasnacht, the Zwiebelmarkt in Bern, Sechseläuten in Zurich and the Alpabzug.
What is the best time to visit Switzerland?
There isn’t a bad time to visit Switzerland! No but in all honestly it depends on what you want from your trip, if you want fewer tourists and cheaper prices then visit in the low season around spring and autumn, if you want warm weather and guaranteed hiking visit in the summer, and if you want to ski or see the country in a blanket of snow then visit in the winter.
Is it safe to visit Switzerland?
Yes, it is safe to visit Switzerland. We have lived here for a few years now and have never felt unsafe anywhere that we have visited be it as a couple, with family or individually. As with most European cities, just make sure you are aware of your surroundings and not flaunting any wealth and you will be fine.
How many days are sufficient for a trip to Switzerland?
This is slightly different depending on your interests and the time of year that you are visiting Switzerland, but you need at least 2 weeks to really get to experience Switzerland.
Conclusion: The Best Festivals In Switzerland
So there is our guide on the best festivals in Switzerland. We’ve visited numerous festivals and events across the country since we moved to Switzerland and the ones above our are absolute favourite, and some of the most fun!
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Is Switzerland Worth Visiting & When: By A Local
📍 Can You See The Northern Lights In Switzerland? The Honest Truth By A Local
📍 The Best Switzerland Christmas Markets You Should Visit This Year
📍 Is There Uber In Switzerland?
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.