Festivals and Events in Switzerland
Switzerland is country that has much to celebrate.
The festivals of Switzerland are almost all regional in character, and charming to behold.
Each canton of Switzerland is graced with its own fun festivals and pageants of costumes and events.
The festivals of Switzerland are almost always open to the public, and there are a few festivals of Switzerland in particular that can’t be missed.
CHALANDA MARZ - First of March
Chalanda Marz is an event in Switzerland also known as the first of March.
This Swiss event takes place in Engadine in the canton of Grisons.
Chalanda Marz is when boys “ring out the winter” to announce the beginning of spring. The old Swiss festival includes old costumes of Switzerland dangling with bells.
Children celebrate the event by going from house to house with their bells to herd away the winter of Switzerland. This is when the children of Switzerland sing their old spring song:
The first of March, the first of April,
Let the cows out of the stable.
Grow grass, grow!
Go away, snow, go!
NEUJAHRSTAG - New Year's Day
Neujahrstag is a very special event that takes place in Switzerland on New Year’s Day, January 1.
The highlights of Neujahrstag, an annual Swiss event celebrated for centuries, include amateur dramatic performances, all around merriment, and social gathering to celebrate the first day of the New Year.
The Neujahrstag event of Switzerland includes roasting of fresh goose with delicious chestnut stuffing.
New Year’s Swiss bread is another delicacy of the Neujahrstag event. The bread is rich and mouthwatering, perfectly prepared to celebrate on this special day.
SECHSELAUTEN - Six Ringing Festival
Sechselauten is known as the Six Ringing Festival, and takes place in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland.
The Six Ringing Festival takes place annually in Switzerland sometime in April, and includes lots of ringing bells symbolizing the end of winter and beginning of summer. Six Ringing Bells festival originated in the Middle Ages and is still anticipated each year in Switzerland today.
Six Ringing Bells Festival has things in common with the first of March festival; however it takes place in a different region of Switzerland with different traditions.
BERCHTOLD'S TAG - Berchtold's Day
Berchtold’s Tag or Berchtold’s Day is a quirky festival taking place in Switzerland on January 2nd.
Berchtold Tag is a lighthearted festival in Switzerland that involves children hoarding fresh nuts for “nut feasts”, the most anticipated element of this special Swiss Festival.
Berchtold Tag also includes nut games as well as folk dancing and singing.
This is a great traditional festival in Switzerland that is fun for the whole family, especially just after the New Year.
FESTA DI SANT' ANTONIO - Feast of Saint Anthony
The popular Swiss event known as Festa Di Sant’ Antonio takes place annually on January 17th in the canton of Ticino, in the Italian region.
Festa Di Sant’ Antonio contains the Blessing the Animals festival of Switzerland, where owners spruce up their animals and place ribbons upon them, taking them through the church.
The Festa Di Sant’ Antonio ends with the official blessing of the animals by a priest, followed by celebration to commemorate this special event in the Italian region of Switzerland.
