Festivals That Shouldn't Really Exist in Switzerland
Century-Old Festivals from Switzerland You Will Hardly Believe
The Fête des Vendanges in Neuchâtel has celebrated the grape harvest since the 1920s, the Fête de l'Escalade commemorates a failed 1602 siege, and the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival has crowned a wrestling king since 1895.
Switzerland's oldest festivals are living history. The Fête des Vendanges in Neuchâtel has celebrated the grape harvest since the 1920s with costumed parades, while the Fête de l'Escalade in Geneva commemorates a failed siege from 1602 with torchlit processions and chocolate cauldrons. The Federal Yodelling Festival has brought yodelling and alphorn playing together since 1924, and the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival has crowned a wrestling king since 1895, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to a tradition that predates most modern sporting events. Together they show just how far back Swiss festival culture really goes.
Fête des Vendanges de Neuchâtel: Costumed grape harvest parade in Neuchâtel
Since the 1920s, Neuchâtel has celebrated the end of the grape harvest with the Fête des Vendanges: a historical parade in 18th-century costumes, the blessing of the grapes and wine tastings define this three-day festival by Lake Neuchâtel.
| Location | Neuchâtel |
|---|---|
| Dates | Late September |
| Established | 1926 |
| Capacity | more than 50000 |
| Environment | Lake, Urban |
| Camping Available | No |
| Entry Price | $ |
Sources: https://www.fete-des-vendanges.ch/
Fête de l'Escalade: Torchlit procession commemorating 1602
The Fête de l'Escalade commemorates the failed 1602 siege of Geneva by Savoyard troops: a historical torchlit procession in armour and costumes, the smashing of chocolate cauldrons, and bonfires mark the celebration in the old town.
| Location | Geneva |
|---|---|
| Dates | Multiple times a year |
| Established | 1926 |
| Capacity | more than 50000 |
| Environment | Urban |
| Camping Available | No |
| Entry Price | Free |
Sources: https://www.compagniede1602.ch/
Federal Yodelling: Yodeling, alphorn and flag-throwing on a grand scale
Every three years, a different Swiss city becomes a yodelling village: more than 10,000 active participants compete in yodelling, alphorn playing and flag-waving, accompanied by a colourful festival parade drawing hundreds of thousands of guests.
| Location | Rotating host city (2026: Basel) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Multiple times a year |
| Established | 1924 |
| Capacity | more than 50000 |
| Environment | Urban |
| Camping Available | No |
| Entry Price | $ |
Sources: https://www.jodlerverband.ch/
Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games (ESAF): Switzerland's biggest wrestling and folklore festival
Held every three years, the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival is Switzerland's largest traditional sporting event, drawing around 300,000 visitors: the country's best wrestlers grapple in the sawdust ring for the coveted title of wrestling king, alongside hornussen and stone-throwing.
| Location | Rotating host town (most recently: Mollis) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Multiple times a year |
| Established | 1895 |
| Capacity | more than 50000 |
| Environment | Urban |
| Camping Available | Yes |
| Entry Price | $$$ |
Sources: https://www.esv.ch/
Audience Review
| Value for Money | Location | Vibe | Uniqueness | Accessibility & Transport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fête des Vendanges de Neuchâtel | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Fête de l'Escalade | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Federal Yodelling | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games (ESAF) | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
Each of these traditions has been running for a century or more. here's their history.
| Visit the Fête des Vendanges if you want a century-old grape harvest celebration in Neuchâtel. |
| Visit the Fête de l'Escalade if you want torchlit processions commemorating a 1602 siege in Geneva. |
| Visit the Federal Yodelling Festival if you want to hear yodelling and alphorn playing at their most traditional. |