Sichlete harvest festival on Bern’s Federal Square

The Sichlete begins at 10:00 am with a traditional cowbell procession from Loebegge to Federal Square. This is followed by a cheese-making demonstration, showing how cows are milked and cheese is produced. The official welcome then features alphorn music and flag throwing, followed by traditional Schwyzerörgeli music. Later, discover fascinating insights into life on the alpine pastures. Afterwards, grapes are pressed live and you can taste freshly pressed grape juice.

A highlight of the Sichlete is the traditional alpine cattle procession. At 1:30 pm, the beautifully decorated cows set off from the Nationales Pferdezentrum and make their way through Bern’s Old Town to Federal Square. The procession arrives at around 2:00 pm, creating a unique spectacle in the heart of Bern.

After fascinating insights into women in agriculture, the next highlight awaits: at 3:30 pm, you can vote for the most beautiful cow on Federal Square to become «Miss Sichlete». Fill in a voting slip, cast your vote and, with a little luck, win one of three prizes. Afterwards, experience agriculture up close during the milking demonstration. At 4:50 pm, the cows make their way back along the same route to the Nationales Pferdezentrum.

The special theme «Fish & wine from Lake Biel» is all about fishing, viticulture and biodiversity. Professional fishers offer insights into their work, present fish from Lake Biel and serve freshly prepared fish bites. Winegrowing also comes to life: Chasselas grapes are pressed on site, freshly pressed grape juice can be tasted, and a selection of wines from Lake Biel is available to sample. You will also discover interesting facts about grape varieties, viticulture and the diversity of the Biel Seeland & Grand Chasseral region.

bernerbauern.ch/sichlete