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World Cheese Awards in Bern, Destination Bern
© Switzerland Cheese Marketing AG

Top cultural events

Travels to the past, open-air theatres and a night at the museums. The region’s cultural events offer visitors variety of the highest order.
18 October – 22 November 2025

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.
13 – 15 November 2025

World Cheese Awards in Bern

In November 2025, Bern becomes the Capital of Cheese as the World Cheese Awards come to Switzerland for the first time turning the city into a three‑day cheese paradise.
24 November 2025

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.
From 20 November 2025

Christmas markets

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 2025

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.
Belle Epoque, Kandersteg
18 - 25 January 2026

Belle Époque Kandersteg

Back to the past – for one whole week. Every year in winter, the Belle Époque returns to Kandersteg. Authentic events and atmosphere transport the visitors back in time.
29 January – 24 February 2026

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.
20 March 2026

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
3 – 6 April 2026

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!
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Sunday 10 May 2026

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!
June & September 2026

Alpine cattle processions

The spectacular cattle ascents and descents are part of the traditional Alpine festivals. Colourfully decorated, the animals walk on sometimes narrow and steep rock paths.
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20 – 22 June 2025

True Story Festival

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”.
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.
From July

Open air theatres

The stage is simply brought outside for the open-air theatres. The feeling of summer combined with dramatic performances possesses an irresistible appeal.
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.
Gstaad Züglete
6 September 2025

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.
Chästeilet Justistal
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.
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.
Twann, Jura & Drei-Seen-Land
12 September – 26 October 2025

Wine festivals in the Bern Region

The wine festivals in the Bern Region celebrate the grape harvest, called the Läset, with colorful parades, wine tastings, open cellars, market stalls, concerts and authentic Swiss vineyard culture.
24 October – 2 November 2025

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.