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Bär im Museum für Kommunikation, Destination Bern
© Made in Bern

Art & culture

Albert Einstein, Ferdinand Hodler, Jean Tinguely, Kuno Lauener, Paul Klee, Steff la Cheffe or Ursula Andress: in one way or the other, Bern has either impacted or inspired them all.

The Bern Region allows art and culture to flourish. Around 130 museums host exhibitions on cheese, the Middle Ages, the art of painting, clocks, wine-growing, chocolate, Paul Klee, Albert Einstein as well as the famous Kambly biscuits – in short, on everything that has helped to shape the Canton of Ber. Every year in March, the capital holds a ‘museums at night’ event during which a light show transforms the façades of the cultural institutions into a piece of art. Fans of the Middle Ages are spoilt for choice with the 150 castles and fortresses. The Bern Region also has a variety of concerts and festivals in store for music fans, such as the Gurten Festival in Bern or the Lake Thun Festival.

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Museums

How was Albert Einstein? How do you build an alphorn? How did our ancestors live? Come to the many museums in the Region of Bern to find the answers.

Castles

Time for your Bridgerton moment! Castles in the Bern Region combine parks, panoramas, cafés, history and unique event venues.
Altstadt, Bern

Architecture

In Bern, visitors experience exciting contrasts in the smallest of spaces. Urban zones with a futuristic atmosphere spread around charming, traditional old towns.
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Experiences

Bernese traditions & customs

Discover the Bern Region: living traditions, authentic Alpine culture and a glimpse into the original spirit of the Swiss Alps.

 

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Experiences

Bernese traditions

Discover Bernese traditions: Swiss wrestling, Hornussen and yodelling are living customs that remain part of local life today.

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Gelmerbahn, Haslital
Experiences

Summer and autumn offers

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Swiss Chamber Music Festival
ongoing events

Classical music festivals in the Bern Region

Discover a wide range of classical music festivals throughout the Region of Bern. A varied programme of music awaits, featuring artists from Switzerland and abroad.
Jazz Nights Langnau
ongoing events

Jazz festivals in the Bern Region

The choice of jazz, blues and soul concerts in the Region of Bern is immensely varied, ranging from intimate settings to big stages, castle courtyards to basement grooves.
From June to September 2026

Open air theatres in the Bern Region

Open-air theatre brings the stage outdoors, combining summer atmosphere, unique venues and memorable performances for a special cultural experience.
30 June – 4 July 2026

International Woodcarving Symposium Brienz

Flying wood chips, the buzz of chainsaws and precision carving with a chisel: at the International Woodcarving Symposium in Brienz, artists will fashion large wooden sculptures within only five days.
1. August in Spiez, Ferienregion Interlaken
1 August 2026

National Day in the Canton of Bern

Swiss National Day is celebrated in style in the Bern Region – check out the highlights of the festivities.
Buskers Bern
6 – 8 August 2025

Buskers Street Music Festival Bern

Creative, uplifting and energetic: Every August, around 150 artistes from all over the world transform the streets of Bern into a delightful summer open-air festival.
June & September 2026

Alpine cattle ascents and descents

The spectacular alpine ascents and descents in the Bern Region mark the start and end of the alpine summer, when animals move up to the alps and return decorated in autumn.
Gstaad Züglete
5 September 2026

Gstaad Züglete

Cowbells tinkling high and low, dairy cows festooned with flowers – Gstaad’s traditional Züglete is an event well-worth experiencing. It’s the time when local farmers bring their herds of cows back down to the valley and lead them through the village in a colourful procession.
Foire de Chaindon in Reconvilier (BE), Biel Seeland & Grand Chasseral
6 – 7 September 2026

Agricultural Fair of Chaindon in Reconvilier (BE)

The Agricultural Fair of Chaindon in Reconvilier is the leading agricultural fair in the Grand Chasseral region and delights families with rides, animals, entertainment and food stalls.
11 September – 25 October 2026

Wine festivals in the Bern Region

Wine festivals in the Bern Region celebrate local winegrowing traditions in spring and autumn. Around Lake Biel and Lake Thun, parades, open wine cellars, tastings, market stalls, concerts and regional specialities await.
Chästeilet Justistal
18 September 2026

Chästeilet in the Justistal

Every year in September, the farmers of the Justistal come together for the Alpabzug, the day the cattle is brought back down to the valley from the summer pastures. In the idyllic valley of Sigriswil, in keeping with a century-old custom, farmers then share the alpine cheeses produced over the summer.
26 & 27 September 2026

Chästeilet in Wengen

The Chästeilet in Wengen celebrates Alpine traditions with cheese sales, folklore, a food market and live music. A lively festival for locals and visitors alike.
AlpKultur® Tage Lenk, Lenk
10 – 11 October 2026

Lenk Alpine Festival

Traditional workshops, Miss Dairy Cow competitions, a hearty alpine farmer’s breakfast, and Hornussen sports: all that and lots more await you as an experience during the Lenk Alpine Festival.
17 October – 21 November 2026

Rendez-vous Bundesplatz

In the autumn the spectacular ‘Rendez-vous Bundesplatz’ event plunges Bern’s Bundeshaus (Federal Palace) in fantastic colours, images and sounds. These productions are guaranteed to delight the audience’s eyes and ears.
Late October – early November 2026

Halloween in the Bern Region 🎃

Experience spooky and fun Halloween events in the Bern Region: pumpkin farms, parties, kids’ events, ghost tours, markets and dinners.
23 November 2026

Onion Market

Once a year, onions and garlic take over the City of Bern. During the Zibelemärit, the city smells of onion tarts, onion soup and mulled wine.
November – 31 December 2026

Christmas markets in the Bern Region

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, and as the aroma of gingerbread fills the air and those first tentative snowflakes are falling, it’s the time for the Christmas markets to open.
Altjahrswoche und Ubersitz, Meiringen
25 – 30 December 2026

Trychel Week and Ubersitz

At the end of each year Meiringen celebrates an ancient custom: Trychel Week and the Ubersitz. During these days the villagers use masks, bells and giant Trycheln cow-bells to cast out haunting spirits.
January - March 2027

Winter Park Interlaken

From 10 January 2026, the Höhematte in Interlaken will transform into a unique experience forest made of Christmas trees.
24 - 31 January 2027

Belle Epoque Week in Kandersteg

Experience the Belle Epoque Week in Kandersteg. Step back into the years 1884 to 1914 for one week, with cultural, culinary and sporting activities.
28 January – February 2027

Carnival in the Bern Region

It's carnival season in the Bern Region! Expect charming carnival processions, Gugge music from brass and percussion bands, fun costumes and confetti showers.
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14 February 2027

Tips for Valentine’s Day

Here are our top tips and best ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day in the Bern region. So you get to enjoy memorable moments together!
19 March 2027

Bern’s museums at night

Visitors are inspired by timeless art at the Museum Night in Bern, or they simply enjoy the lively atmosphere at night.
Osterhasen in Brienz, Ferienregion Interlaken
26 – 29 March 2027

Easter in the Bern Region🐰

Spend unforgettable Easter holidays in the Bern Region – with markets, brunches, egg hunts, and excursion tips for the whole family!
Maison de la Tête de Moine, Jura & Drei-Seen-Land
30 April – 2 May 2027

Fête de la Tête de Moine in Bellelay (BE)

The Fête de la Tête de Moine in Bellelay is a family festival around Tête de Moine AOP cheese, with regional specialities, market, music and activities for children.
30 April – 9 May 2027

BEA Fair in Bern

BEA is Switzerland’s largest public fair, combining tradition, food and entertainment with animals, regional specialities and experiences for the whole family.
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Sunday 9 May 2027

Mother's Day in the Bern Region

Treat your mom to an unforgettable Mother's Day outing in the Bern region – discover charming spots, culinary delights and weatherproof activities she'll love!
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4 – 6 June 2027

True Story Festival in Bern

A weekend full of truth: Reporters from all over the globe share insights into their work – discussing the challenges and revealing the “stories behind the story”.
plusQ'Île Festival, Biel Seeland & Grand Chasseral
June 2027

plusQ’île Festival in Biel

For one week, the free plusQ’île Festival in Biel invites families to enjoy circus, street art, theatre, dance and music in the open air by Lake Biel.
Berner Stadtfest, Destination Bern
June

Bern City Festival

Bern City Festival, the Berner Stadtfest, brings Bern to life for three days with live music, food, culture and experiences for all ages.
2 – 4 July 2027

Bieler Braderie

The Bieler Braderie delights visitors in the heart of Biel with market stalls, entertainment, regional food and a lively bilingual atmosphere.