Looking ahead: The best events and festivals in Switzerland in 2022
After nearly two years of living with various restrictions, we all need something uplifting to do and to look forward to. Here’s a selection of some fun events scheduled to take place in Switzerland this year.
There is a quote that says “Switzerland is a fine place to be born and die in, but what is there to do in between?”
It is attributed to an ‘anonymous’ source because whoever said it probably knew they were wrong and didn’t want their identity revealed (we are guessing it wasn’t Roger Federer).
Be it as it may, he or she was wrong, because there are many events taking place across the country each year, even if many had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
The events listed below are set to happen as of the time of this article, January 7th, but as the epidemiological evolution is uncertain at this point, it is best to check whether they will actually take place before you go and what the conditions of entry are.
January
Mürren (BE) - January 19th-22nd: Inferno ski races
Even though its name suggests otherwise, this is not “an event from hell”. To the contrary, you can expect loads of heavenly fun, whether you participate in the race or just watch it.
This video (n German) explains what this race is all about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqZrrRwKDCk
St. Moritz (GR) – January 27th-February 5th: Gourmet Festival
This year's event will be held under the motto “SWISS MADE”. As the name suggests, the focus will be on the wealth and diversity of Swiss gastronomy.
No, it's not all cheese and chocolate — though a lot of people would be happy with just that.
February
Lucerne - February 24th - March 1st: Carnival
Lucerne's scenic Old Town will be transformed into one big festival site, with merry-making, music, and dancing. A loud explosion (the Urknall or «Big Bang») at 5 in the morning of 'Schmutzig Thursday' (dirty Thursday) marks the start of the Lucerne Carnival.
Merry-making in Lucerne. Photo by Elke Kenneweg, Luzern.com
March
Locarno (TI) - from March 23rd :Camellia Festival
An exhibition featuring over 200 varieties of this flower, beautifully arranged by experienced gardeners and highlighting this plant, an enrichment to the canton's botanical patrimony, can be seen in private and public gardens of the Locarno region
April
Zermatt - April 5th-9th: Zermatt Unplugged
An acoustic music festival with the backdrop of a famous Matterhorn
Zurich - April 25th: Spring Festival
This age-old tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the City Council – which at that time comprised exclusively members of various guilds – resolved that in summer, work should stop an hour later than in the winter months. So during summer, people were able to work as long as there was daylight, and the bell rang to signal the end of the working day at 6.00pm
May
Gruyère (FR) - May 1st: Cheese Festival
The traditional Cheese Market is being in the heart of the medieval Town of Gruyères, after which the famous Swiss cheese was named.
Several cheese makers will be present for this festival held in Rue du Bourg. There will also be local craftsmen selling their hand-made wares.
June
Interlaken (BE) - 24th-26th June: International Trucker and Country Festival
Honky Tonk, country, rock, rockabilly, and blues may be more at home in the United States than in a Swiss town, but this festival has some 'Swiss made' flavour as well, as many artists are locally-grown.
Ascona (TI) - early June - Street Artists' Festival
What could be more fun for the entire family than clowns, jogglers, mimes and other artists entertaining the public in the streets and piazzas of this picturesque town.
For exact date of this event watch this space.
July
Montreux (VD) - July 1st-16th: Montreux Jazz Festival
Lionel Richie will be among dozens of top-class artists to perform live at one of the world’s most famous jazz festivals held in this town on the shores of Lake Geneva, which was also temporary home to Freddy Mercury and Queen.
St. Moritz (GR) - July 8th-11th: British Classic Car Meeting
If you are a fan of old British automobiles — and who isn’t — this event is right up your…alley.
It includes The "Grand Prix Rally" which leads from St. Moritz via Scuol and the Reschen Pass to Val Venosta in Mals (Italy), and via the Ofen Pass (National Park Region) back to the Engadine.
Nyon (VD) - July 19th–24th: Paléo Festival
A huge outdoor indie rock festival. This year’s lineup includes the group KISS, Sting, and scores (no pun intended) of other renowned artists.
Paléo music festival is loads of fun. Photo: Région du Léman
Lucerne - 22nd-30th July: Blue Balls Festival
We swear we are not making this up, but we are duty-bound to report the existence of this music festival.
We have no idea why this event is thusly named. This may be a subject for another article though.
August
Throughout Switzerland - August 1st: Swiss National Day celebrations
Locarno (TI) - August 3rd-13th: Locarno Film Festival
It may not be Cannes, but Locarno’s annual film festival is famous in its own right.
You can find out more about this year' movie lineup and other information here.
September
Interlaken (BE) - September 9th: Jungfrau Marathon
This race on a rugged mountainous terrain is not for the faint-hearted, but the breathtakingly beautiful landscape along the entire course makes it worthwhile for runners and spectators.
This is the map of the race.
Image: Jungfrau Marathon
Zermatt (VS) - September 11th: Shepherd Festival
If you like folklore, you will enjoy this award ceremony for the best-looking Valais blacknose sheep and for the Shepherd of the Year.
Baaa, prize-winning sheep.Photo: Zermatt.com
October
Ascona (TI) - October 15th-16th: Chestnut Festival
If you are nuts about chestnuts this ‘harvest’ festival is for you.
Over 2,000 kg of fire-roasted chestnuts are usually for sale, along with chestnut-based delicacies such as jams, honeys and cakes, as well as other traditional Ticino foods.
November
Bern - November 28th: Zibelemärit
Only at the traditional onion-market fair in the city’s Old Town can you see metre-long braids with white and red onions, as well as other creatively arranged onion products.
You can also sample an onion tart, onion soup, onion pizza, or sausage with — you guessed it — onions!
Bern's onions .Photo by Bern.com
December
Christmas markets
We are guessing it is too early to get into the Christmas spirit right now, but these are some markets planned for December:
Lucerne - early December-23rd December
Montreux - late November-Christmas Eve
Bern - late November-Christmas Eve
Basel - late November-23rd December
These are just some events that are scheduled for 2022. It is more than likely that others take place in your Swiss region / town / village, along with such traditional festivals as cow parades and harvest wine festivals.
You can check local listings in your community.
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There is a quote that says “Switzerland is a fine place to be born and die in, but what is there to do in between?”
It is attributed to an ‘anonymous’ source because whoever said it probably knew they were wrong and didn’t want their identity revealed (we are guessing it wasn’t Roger Federer).
Be it as it may, he or she was wrong, because there are many events taking place across the country each year, even if many had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
The events listed below are set to happen as of the time of this article, January 7th, but as the epidemiological evolution is uncertain at this point, it is best to check whether they will actually take place before you go and what the conditions of entry are.
January
Mürren (BE) - January 19th-22nd: Inferno ski races
Even though its name suggests otherwise, this is not “an event from hell”. To the contrary, you can expect loads of heavenly fun, whether you participate in the race or just watch it.
This video (n German) explains what this race is all about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqZrrRwKDCk
St. Moritz (GR) – January 27th-February 5th: Gourmet Festival
This year's event will be held under the motto “SWISS MADE”. As the name suggests, the focus will be on the wealth and diversity of Swiss gastronomy.
No, it's not all cheese and chocolate — though a lot of people would be happy with just that.
February
Lucerne - February 24th - March 1st: Carnival
Lucerne's scenic Old Town will be transformed into one big festival site, with merry-making, music, and dancing. A loud explosion (the Urknall or «Big Bang») at 5 in the morning of 'Schmutzig Thursday' (dirty Thursday) marks the start of the Lucerne Carnival.
Merry-making in Lucerne. Photo by Elke Kenneweg, Luzern.com
March
Locarno (TI) - from March 23rd :Camellia Festival
An exhibition featuring over 200 varieties of this flower, beautifully arranged by experienced gardeners and highlighting this plant, an enrichment to the canton's botanical patrimony, can be seen in private and public gardens of the Locarno region
April
Zermatt - April 5th-9th: Zermatt Unplugged
An acoustic music festival with the backdrop of a famous Matterhorn
Zurich - April 25th: Spring Festival
This age-old tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the City Council – which at that time comprised exclusively members of various guilds – resolved that in summer, work should stop an hour later than in the winter months. So during summer, people were able to work as long as there was daylight, and the bell rang to signal the end of the working day at 6.00pm
May
Gruyère (FR) - May 1st: Cheese Festival
The traditional Cheese Market is being in the heart of the medieval Town of Gruyères, after which the famous Swiss cheese was named.
Several cheese makers will be present for this festival held in Rue du Bourg. There will also be local craftsmen selling their hand-made wares.
June
Interlaken (BE) - 24th-26th June: International Trucker and Country Festival
Honky Tonk, country, rock, rockabilly, and blues may be more at home in the United States than in a Swiss town, but this festival has some 'Swiss made' flavour as well, as many artists are locally-grown.
Ascona (TI) - early June - Street Artists' Festival
What could be more fun for the entire family than clowns, jogglers, mimes and other artists entertaining the public in the streets and piazzas of this picturesque town.
For exact date of this event watch this space.
July
Montreux (VD) - July 1st-16th: Montreux Jazz Festival
Lionel Richie will be among dozens of top-class artists to perform live at one of the world’s most famous jazz festivals held in this town on the shores of Lake Geneva, which was also temporary home to Freddy Mercury and Queen.
St. Moritz (GR) - July 8th-11th: British Classic Car Meeting
If you are a fan of old British automobiles — and who isn’t — this event is right up your…alley.
It includes The "Grand Prix Rally" which leads from St. Moritz via Scuol and the Reschen Pass to Val Venosta in Mals (Italy), and via the Ofen Pass (National Park Region) back to the Engadine.
Nyon (VD) - July 19th–24th: Paléo Festival
A huge outdoor indie rock festival. This year’s lineup includes the group KISS, Sting, and scores (no pun intended) of other renowned artists.
Paléo music festival is loads of fun. Photo: Région du Léman
Lucerne - 22nd-30th July: Blue Balls Festival
We swear we are not making this up, but we are duty-bound to report the existence of this music festival.
We have no idea why this event is thusly named. This may be a subject for another article though.
August
Throughout Switzerland - August 1st: Swiss National Day celebrations
Locarno (TI) - August 3rd-13th: Locarno Film Festival
It may not be Cannes, but Locarno’s annual film festival is famous in its own right.
You can find out more about this year' movie lineup and other information here.
September
Interlaken (BE) - September 9th: Jungfrau Marathon
This race on a rugged mountainous terrain is not for the faint-hearted, but the breathtakingly beautiful landscape along the entire course makes it worthwhile for runners and spectators.
This is the map of the race.
Image: Jungfrau Marathon
Zermatt (VS) - September 11th: Shepherd Festival
If you like folklore, you will enjoy this award ceremony for the best-looking Valais blacknose sheep and for the Shepherd of the Year.
Baaa, prize-winning sheep.Photo: Zermatt.com
October
Ascona (TI) - October 15th-16th: Chestnut Festival
If you are nuts about chestnuts this ‘harvest’ festival is for you.
Over 2,000 kg of fire-roasted chestnuts are usually for sale, along with chestnut-based delicacies such as jams, honeys and cakes, as well as other traditional Ticino foods.
November
Bern - November 28th: Zibelemärit
Only at the traditional onion-market fair in the city’s Old Town can you see metre-long braids with white and red onions, as well as other creatively arranged onion products.
You can also sample an onion tart, onion soup, onion pizza, or sausage with — you guessed it — onions!
Bern's onions .Photo by Bern.com
December
Christmas markets
We are guessing it is too early to get into the Christmas spirit right now, but these are some markets planned for December:
Lucerne - early December-23rd December
Montreux - late November-Christmas Eve
Bern - late November-Christmas Eve
Basel - late November-23rd December
These are just some events that are scheduled for 2022. It is more than likely that others take place in your Swiss region / town / village, along with such traditional festivals as cow parades and harvest wine festivals.
You can check local listings in your community.
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