12 events in Switzerland you shouldn't miss in September 2023
From tasting new delicacies in Zurich to inline skating and festivals, here are the top events you shouldn’t miss out on this September in Switzerland.
Airport Festival
If you fancy yourself an aviation fanatic then you may want to drop by Zurich Airport’s very own Flughafenfest, held from September 1st to 3rd.
Spread on 60,000 square metres, the Airport Festival will feature various exhibits from the airport’s early days all the way to the present so you can experience the world of aviation up close. In addition, the airport is opening the noise protection hall to the public for the first time.
Knabenschiessen
One of Zurich’s most popular festivals, the Knabenschiessen, returns on September 9th until 11th. Contrary to its name, the festival does not in fact see little boys get shot, but rather originated as a rifle shooting competition for local boys – and since 1991, girls. Every year, both have the opportunity to test showcase their shooting skills in front of a wide audience.
Note: only boys and girls resident in the city or canton of Zurich may participate in the festival.
the largest village festival in Switzerland #knabenschiessen #Zurich #Switzerland pic.twitter.com/PgoIqR2IJ2
— Xarom 💈 (@xarom_sui) September 11, 2022
Flâneur - Das Stadtraum Festival Basel
On the evenings of September 7th, 8th and 9th, Basel’s Elisabethenstrasse will be transformed into an eclectic, yet intimate festival-style get-together known as Flâneur.
The urban festival is the perfect opportunity to make new friends while trying out fine local delicacies at pop-up corners, bar hopping, partaking in creative workshops and experiencing live concerts in the middle of the city.
Inline Night Bern
Every 14 days in good weather (and on dry roads), various streets in Bern make way for enthusiastic inline skaters. Volunteer will also ensure roads are safe and closed off for you to skate on.
Partaking in the skating event is free of charge and you can turn up at 7.30 pm (departure is at 8 pm) at the Waisenhausplatz in Bern without a registration.
Breakthrough Festival
Switzerland’s renowned Breakthrough Festival will return to Zurich between September 7th and 10th this year. As with past years, visitors can look forward to an action-packed programme which will include various performances, battles, exhibitions, and workshops – all in the spirit of dance.
Food Zurich
Food Zurich - held from 7th to 17th September - is the place to be for all foodies, whether you are just learning the ropes in the kitchen or consider yourself the new Gordon Ramsay.
For eleven delicious days, you will be able to enjoy and compare traditional Swiss dishes (served by up-and-coming young cooks and experienced chefs) against some of the world’s emerging culinary trends.
#FOODZurich in #Zurich today! This annual #food festival continues until 18th September. See details: https://t.co/pA9OTCAq9N #foodanddrink #visitzurich #switzerland pic.twitter.com/aMFH9Y3z2C
— NewInZurich (@NewInZurich) September 10, 2022
Lausanne Afro Fusions Festival
If you’ve missed out on attending Lausanne’s exciting Afro Fusions Festival last month, don’t panic just yet. The good news is the festival runs until September 3rd.
The festival is the largest African cultural event in the canton of Vaud and includes a top-tier musical programme alongside fun artistic, educational, and cultural activities and exhibitions.
Eidgenössisches Weidlingswettfahren
From 1st to 3rd September, the Eidgenössisches Weidlingswettfahren (Federal Weidling Race) will take place on the Rhine in Basel and feature over 500 participants from more than 40 clubs.
The competition and festival will both be held in Kleinbasel (Mittlere Brücke and Wettsteinbrücke). This means participants can easily compete in both disciplines while spectators will be able to follow both competitions either from the banks of the Rhine or the bridges. There will also be various catering options to enjoy on site.
Cultural Stage Festival
The Cultural Stage Festival – starting at 10 am – celebrates interculturality with musical acts as well as arts and crafts (ceramics, textiles, wooden artistry) from across the globe.
The festival takes place on September 8th and 9th at the Salle Centrale de la Madeleine in Geneva.
From September 9th: Cows come home
In one of the most folkloric events that takes place in Switzerland each year — the so called désalpe festivals — cows make their way down to the plain after spring and summer months spent grazing in alpine pastures.
On this occasion, the descending cows are ‘dressed’ for the occasion: besides the bells hanging from their necks, their heads are decorated with flowers.
This link shows where and when you can watch this event in your region.
#Alpabzug#Serlas Chamues-ch pic.twitter.com/1LMMIcPGFs
— Eveline Kobler (@koblerev) September 3, 2022
Lausanne Art Fair
The 6th edition of Lausanne’s international contemporary art fair will take place at Beaulieu Lausanne and display a selection of original works by established artists, as well as emerging young talents.
Ticino Sportissima
Sportissima is an event dedicated to physical activity in the hope of promoting interest in one's health and is free for all to attend - simply turn up at 9.30 am in the city of your choice (no registration necessary) and work out. Participants can choose from 'classic' sports such as football and volleyball, as well as stand-up paddling, sailing, twirling and other activities.
The sporty event is held in the following cities on September 10th: Bellinzona, Biasca, Chiasso, Lugano, Mendrisio and Tenero-Contra.
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Airport Festival
If you fancy yourself an aviation fanatic then you may want to drop by Zurich Airport’s very own Flughafenfest, held from September 1st to 3rd.
Spread on 60,000 square metres, the Airport Festival will feature various exhibits from the airport’s early days all the way to the present so you can experience the world of aviation up close. In addition, the airport is opening the noise protection hall to the public for the first time.
Knabenschiessen
One of Zurich’s most popular festivals, the Knabenschiessen, returns on September 9th until 11th. Contrary to its name, the festival does not in fact see little boys get shot, but rather originated as a rifle shooting competition for local boys – and since 1991, girls. Every year, both have the opportunity to test showcase their shooting skills in front of a wide audience.
Note: only boys and girls resident in the city or canton of Zurich may participate in the festival.
the largest village festival in Switzerland #knabenschiessen #Zurich #Switzerland pic.twitter.com/PgoIqR2IJ2
— Xarom 💈 (@xarom_sui) September 11, 2022
Flâneur - Das Stadtraum Festival Basel
On the evenings of September 7th, 8th and 9th, Basel’s Elisabethenstrasse will be transformed into an eclectic, yet intimate festival-style get-together known as Flâneur.
The urban festival is the perfect opportunity to make new friends while trying out fine local delicacies at pop-up corners, bar hopping, partaking in creative workshops and experiencing live concerts in the middle of the city.
Inline Night Bern
Every 14 days in good weather (and on dry roads), various streets in Bern make way for enthusiastic inline skaters. Volunteer will also ensure roads are safe and closed off for you to skate on.
Partaking in the skating event is free of charge and you can turn up at 7.30 pm (departure is at 8 pm) at the Waisenhausplatz in Bern without a registration.
Breakthrough Festival
Switzerland’s renowned Breakthrough Festival will return to Zurich between September 7th and 10th this year. As with past years, visitors can look forward to an action-packed programme which will include various performances, battles, exhibitions, and workshops – all in the spirit of dance.
Food Zurich
Food Zurich - held from 7th to 17th September - is the place to be for all foodies, whether you are just learning the ropes in the kitchen or consider yourself the new Gordon Ramsay.
For eleven delicious days, you will be able to enjoy and compare traditional Swiss dishes (served by up-and-coming young cooks and experienced chefs) against some of the world’s emerging culinary trends.
#FOODZurich in #Zurich today! This annual #food festival continues until 18th September. See details: https://t.co/pA9OTCAq9N #foodanddrink #visitzurich #switzerland pic.twitter.com/aMFH9Y3z2C
— NewInZurich (@NewInZurich) September 10, 2022
Lausanne Afro Fusions Festival
If you’ve missed out on attending Lausanne’s exciting Afro Fusions Festival last month, don’t panic just yet. The good news is the festival runs until September 3rd.
The festival is the largest African cultural event in the canton of Vaud and includes a top-tier musical programme alongside fun artistic, educational, and cultural activities and exhibitions.
Eidgenössisches Weidlingswettfahren
From 1st to 3rd September, the Eidgenössisches Weidlingswettfahren (Federal Weidling Race) will take place on the Rhine in Basel and feature over 500 participants from more than 40 clubs.
The competition and festival will both be held in Kleinbasel (Mittlere Brücke and Wettsteinbrücke). This means participants can easily compete in both disciplines while spectators will be able to follow both competitions either from the banks of the Rhine or the bridges. There will also be various catering options to enjoy on site.
Cultural Stage Festival
The Cultural Stage Festival – starting at 10 am – celebrates interculturality with musical acts as well as arts and crafts (ceramics, textiles, wooden artistry) from across the globe.
The festival takes place on September 8th and 9th at the Salle Centrale de la Madeleine in Geneva.
From September 9th: Cows come home
In one of the most folkloric events that takes place in Switzerland each year — the so called désalpe festivals — cows make their way down to the plain after spring and summer months spent grazing in alpine pastures.
On this occasion, the descending cows are ‘dressed’ for the occasion: besides the bells hanging from their necks, their heads are decorated with flowers.
This link shows where and when you can watch this event in your region.
#Alpabzug#Serlas Chamues-ch pic.twitter.com/1LMMIcPGFs
— Eveline Kobler (@koblerev) September 3, 2022
Lausanne Art Fair
The 6th edition of Lausanne’s international contemporary art fair will take place at Beaulieu Lausanne and display a selection of original works by established artists, as well as emerging young talents.
Ticino Sportissima
Sportissima is an event dedicated to physical activity in the hope of promoting interest in one's health and is free for all to attend - simply turn up at 9.30 am in the city of your choice (no registration necessary) and work out. Participants can choose from 'classic' sports such as football and volleyball, as well as stand-up paddling, sailing, twirling and other activities.
The sporty event is held in the following cities on September 10th: Bellinzona, Biasca, Chiasso, Lugano, Mendrisio and Tenero-Contra.
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