May is one of my favorite months here in Switzerland! It’s usually a stunning months for hiking, the nature looks in pristine condition and the temperatures are super nice. Plus, There are so many events and things to do, like the cheese festival in Gruyeres, different open wine cellars events and more!
So lets dive right to it! Also, if there is something you think I should add to the list, don’t hesitate to let me know.
1st of May
German-speaking Switzerland: The Open Wine Cellars (Offene Weinkeller) on May 1-3 with more than 200 wineries across the region open their doors for local wine tastings and visits, offering a great chance to discover Swiss German wine diversity.
Morges: The Tulip Festival in Morges features a stunning display of over 140,000 tulips till May 10th (Make sure to enjoy it while it lasts!).
Locarno: The Food Truck Festival till May 3rd with authentic dishes from diverse food trucks and vans arriving from both north of the Alps and Italy.
Bellelay: Tête de Moine cheese festival from May 1st-3rd. A traditional event with tastings, a regional market, traditional cheese-making demonstrations near the historic Bellelay Abbey.
Lausanne (Ouchy): The Place Bellerive hosts an annual fair with attractions, carnival treats, and rides for all ages, creating a festive atmosphere near the lake. Dates: May 8th-31th.
Bern: BEA Bern, Switzerland’s largest spring fair, showcases agriculture, trade, and industry, featuring exhibits on building, living, food, leisure, and crafts, with daily animal shows and a petting zoo. Dates: April 24th-May 3rd.
Lucerne: Luga, also known as the Central Switzerland Spring Fair, will take place from April 24th to May 3rd. It’s a large regional marketplace with 450 exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of products and experiences.
Lausanne: Lausanne’s international comic strip festival, till May 10th. This must-see annual event for comics fans features exhibitions, workshops, signings and shows with numerous artists.
Lenzburg: Medieval Days, a historical re-enactment where over 100 participants from the “Company of St. George” bring late 15th-century everyday life to Schloss Lenzburg. It features military drills with cannon fire, craft demonstrations and the preparation of an opulent banquet table for a noble society.
Basel: The Offbeat Jazzfestival is a month-long event bringing international jazz musicians to various venues across the city till May 26th.
Chur: Open Air 7000, an outdoor music festival in Graubünden. Friday’s lineup is dedicated to regional dialect and rock bands, while Saturday shifts entirely to rap and hip-hop performances. The grounds feature a straightforward setup of regional food stands, bars, and lounge areas.
Balzers: Open Hair Metal festival with 15 national and international hard rock and heavy metal bands.
Fribourg: Open-Air Festival at the Café des Grand-Places with local artistic scene.
2nd of May
Lausanne: The Chocolate & Matcha Free Tasting event, featuring matcha latte demonstrations, cold matcha chocolate drinks and white matcha chocolate bars.
Sierre: The Sentier de la Bière is an outdoor beer-tasting trail set in the Valais vineyards around the village of Loc. Participants walk along a path overlooking the Rhône plain, stopping to sample regional craft beers and food, before finishing at a central gathering area.
3rd of May
Gruyères: The traditional Cheese Festival in the medieval town of Gruyères from 10:00 to 18:00. Watch Gruyère AOP cheese being made over a wood fire, explore an artisan market with regional specialties and enjoy folk music and a traditional outdoor concert with Alphorn and flag throwers.
Bad Ragaz: The traditional May Bear (Maibär) procession. A unique custom to drive out winter with the leafy May Bear figure dance through the streets accompanied by costumed “beggars” culminating in a symbolic finale at the Tamina bridge.
Schaffhausen: The Schaffhausen Jazz Festival with contemporary Swiss jazz and improvised music from May 3-9.
6th of May
The Dance Festival in: Geneva, Lausanne, Ticino, Fribourg, Winterthur taking place from May 6th-10th with shows, public performances and numerous dance classes for all levels throughout the cities.
Basel: The Beer Tour Basel is a guided walking tour through the city’s craft brewing scene.
7th of May
Geneva: The Mapping Festival transforms Geneva from May 7th-17th with audiovisual arts, performances, installations, projections, DJ sets, conferences, and workshops, showcasing both emerging and established local and international artists.
The Dance Festival in: Neuchâtel, Rapperswil-Jona taking place from May 7th-10th with shows, public performances and numerous dance classes for all levels throughout the cities.
Bern: The Bindella Festival del Vino is an Italian wine tasting event featuring around 50 wines under the historic arcades by Bindella Vinoteca.
Basel: WINE DATE is a wine fair featuring around 30 winemakers and merchants. The selection ranges from classic international wines to alternative styles like orange wine, natural wine, pét-nat, and craft beer, supplemented by masterclasses and workshops.
8th of May
Neuchâtel Region: The Open Wine Cellars (Caves Ouvertes) event on May 8th-9th. With one pass for unlimited wine tastings at about 30-40 wineries between Vaumarcus and Le Landeron, which also includes free local public transport and shuttle buses (Sat only), plus food and wine vouchers. The pass costs 30.- CHF.
Bellinzona: PerBacco! Che bianchi is a weekend event set in the historic center focused entirely on Ticino white wines. It features a wine bar with local products in Piazza Nosetto, live music, and an official Saturday morning tasting in the Town Hall courtyard.
Lucerne: The BIER KULTUR TAGE LUZERN is a dedicated craft beer gathering that brings together 22 local microbreweries to present over 120 different beers.
Geneva: The Geneva Blues Festival is taking place from May 8th–9th.
Lausanne: The Luna Park Lausanne is an annual amusement fair located at Place Bellerive, situated right by the lake and takes place will May 31st.
Zurich: Circus Knie‘s tour stop in Zurich, performing at Sechseläutenplatz from May 8th to June 7th.
Zurich: The ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH fair, from May 8th-10th.
Lucerne: The Lucerne Festival Piano Fest, from May 8-17. Held mainly at the KKL Luzern, the festival presents a broad spectrum of piano and organ music performed by various international artists.
Yverdon-les-Bains: The Dance Festival is a performing arts event hosted by the Benno Besson Theater.
9th of May
Fribourg: The Night of the Museums, when you can explore over 20 museums and institutions after dark. Enjoy special programs, entertainment and a unique atmosphere from 17:00 into the night.
Aproz (Valais): Cows fighting where you can witness the crowning of the “queen of queens” at the Finale Nationale de la Race d’Hérens, the national final for traditional Hérens cow fighting. This event is a celebration of Valais culture.
Gruyères: The stunning medieval town hosts a traditional outdoor concert with Alphorn and flag throwers in different dates in May.
Bern: The Bern Grand Prix with various distances on an attractive route through the Old Town and along the River Aare.
Trubschachen: The Kambly Bretzeli Festival centers around the traditional Bretzeli, offering biscuit tastings, insights into regional baking traditions and family-oriented activities. Dates: May 9th–10th.
Moudon: The BioAgri is an organic agricultural fair with farmers’ market, regional food products, crafts, workshops, concerts and a large Mother’s Day brunch. Dates: May 9th–10th.
13th of May
Vevey: The Beer and festive music festival (Fête de la Bière) features a wide selection of regional beers paired with a full lineup of live music, ranging from Swiss rock and blues to late-night DJ sets. Dates: May 13th–16th.
14th of May
Valais: The Valais Open Wine Cellars (Caves Ouvertes) event from May 14-16. With around 230 wineries across the canton welcoming visitors to taste their delicious local wines.
Basel: Fantasy Basel – The Swiss Comic Con, from May 14th-16th. With over 100,000 m2 dedicated to gaming, cosplay, comics, film, art and meet-and-greets at one of Europe’s largest conventions.
Appenzell: Auffahrt is where locals in Appenzell Innerrhoden wear their traditional festive attire in a quiet, authentic display of regional customs.
Gruyères: Another traditional outdoor concert with Alphorn and flag throwers.
Locarno: The Strawberry Festival (Festa delle Fragole) on Piazza Grande. Enjoy delicious strawberries prepared in many ways and take in stage entertainment from 13:00-18:00.
Zurich: Flughafenlauf (Airport Run), one of the races in the ZKB Zürilauf Cup series.
Emmetten: The Drachenfest is a mountain kite festival where colorful kites fill the sky above the Stockhütte area.
15th of May
St. Gallen: The “Aufgetischt!” street art festival turning the Old Town into a vibrant stage from May 15th to 17th. International artists and musicians will present diverse, high-caliber shows up close at various locations in and around the historic Abbey district.
Hinwil: A Medieval spectacle at Ober Erlosen transporting visitors back to the Middle Ages with daytime and nocturnal jousting tournaments featuring fire, a sprawling crafts market, and medieval taverns serving mead and suckling pig. Dates: May 15th–17th.
16th of May
Ticino: The Ticino Open Wine Cellars event, held over two consecutive weekends in May. Around 80 wineries will open their doors for local wine tastings and visits, first in the Sopraceneri region (May 16-17) and then in Sottoceneri (May 23-24), showcasing local winemaking passion and tradition.
Mettmenstetten: The Zurich Cantonal Wrestling Festival, a traditional Swiss sports event. The weekend begins on Saturday with the 84th cantonal junior wrestling festival, featuring over 300 young athletes. On Sunday, the 116th edition of the main cantonal tournament takes place, bringing together around 160 active wrestlers to compete. Dates: May 16th–17th.
Geneva: The Gonet Geneva Open, a men’s ATP 250 tennis tournament, from May 16th-23rd.
17th of May
Aigle: The Festival Trottinette on May 17th-18th, for a weekend turning Aigle Castle into a giant playground. A free outdoor entertainment like street performers and workshops, plus ticketed indoor shows featuring magicians, storytellers, and clowns, aimed at ages 3-13.
20th of May
Winterthur: The Afro-Pfingsten Festival focusing on African and Afro-diasporic cultures. It features a large street market with around 300 stalls in the old town, live concerts spanning multiple genres like reggae and urban beats, music and dance workshops, and a dedicated family day. Dates: May 20th–25th.
21st of May
Zurich: The ULLRICH LIQUID DAYS is a wine and spirits tasting event with over 40 producers where you can sample drinks and book masterclasses, such as guided Champagne or Bolgheri tastings.
22nd of May
Fribourg: The Streetfood Festival features around 45 international food stalls offering freshly prepared specialties, accompanied by themed bars, a live stage for music, street performers, and a dedicated children’s area. May 22nd–25th.
Weggis: The Riviera Latina Festival is an open-air celebration of Latin American culture held right on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The event features live tropical music, authentic street food from various Latin countries and dance performances. Dates: May 22nd–24th.
Cornaux: The Corn’Rock Festival, focusing on regional bands and artists with a family-friendly atmosphere and rock music. Dates: May 22nd-23rd.
23rd of May
Vaud: The Caves Ouvertes Vaudoises is probably my favorite open wine cellars event in Switzerland. I am talking about Lavaux, Chablais, Bonvillars that open their doors to the public. For a flat fee, you get a tasting glass and a wristband that grants access to cellar tastings and free public transport. May 23rd–24th.
Lausanne: The Miam Festival is a fun foodie event with food trucks, local restaurateurs, and regional artisans, alongside culinary workshops and live entertainment. May 23rd–25th.
Murten/Morat: The Fribourg Cantonal Wrestling Festival is a major regional tradition held near the historic lakeside town. Dates: May 23rd–24th.
Baden: Bluesfestival Baden, from May 23-30. The festival hosts free afternoon concerts and ticketed evening shows featuring a diverse lineup of international and Swiss artists.
Chur: The Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest) is a city-wide celebration marking the arrival of the warmer season in the Graubünden capital. The event typically features a variety of market stalls in the old town, live musical entertainment and local culinary offerings that highlight regional springtime specialties.
Gstaad: The Gstaad Folk Music Festival (Ländlerfest Gstaad) turns the village into a hub for traditional Swiss sounds from 14:00 to 22:00.
24th of May
Appenzell: Pfingsten (Pentecost), in good weather, the town becomes a living gallery as many residents attend church services and walk through the village wearing their famous, highly detailed traditional costumes (Festtagstracht).
25th of May
Näfels: The Glarner-Bündner Kantonalschwingfest is a traditional Swiss wrestling tournament.
28th of May
Avenches: The Avenches Open Air festival from May 28th to 30th. Held in the town’s historic setting (near Place du Casino), the event features a lineup of Swiss and international rock bands like The Baseballs, The Rabeats, and Lovebugs, promising a festive atmosphere.
29th of May
Grindelwald: The Top Taste of Grindelwald Alpine Excellence Food Festival is a high-end culinary event that brings together award-winning chefs and regional producers. Set against the backdrop of the Eiger North Face, the festival features gourmet tasting stations, wine pairings, and workshops that highlight both local Alpine ingredients and international fine dining. May 29th–31st.
Haslen: The Appenzeller Genuss- und Bierwanderung is a scenic culinary hike through the rolling hills of the Appenzell region. Along the route, several stations offer a variety of local beers paired with traditional regional specialties,.
30th of May
Geneva: The night of the museums inviting you to explore numerous city museums after dark with special activities, often themed (this year: tales and legends), running late into the evening.
Neuchâtel: MédiéNeuch is a medieval festival with a market blending medieval and fantasy themes and artisans demonstrate leatherwork and pottery. You can witness sword-fighting demonstrations, participate in dance workshops and sample period-inspired cuisine from the “Arboulastre” kitchen. Dates: May 30th–31st.
Volketswil: The Fantasy Festival blends a medieval market with themes ranging from steampunk and pirates to anime, gaming, and cosplay. You can encounter mythical creatures, watch stilt walkers and explore a LARP (Live Action Role Playing) arena. Dates: May 30th–31st.
31st of May
Geneva: The Caves Ouvertes Genève (Open Wine Cellars) with 90 winemakers invite you for a tastings. It is the third-largest wine-growing canton in Switzerland, known for its diverse grape varieties like Gamay and Chasselas. Visitors can purchase a tasting glass that serves as an entry pass to explore cellars in areas such as Satigny, Peissy and Dardagny.
Bellinzona: The Bellinzona Castles & GO, a “medieval race” featuring 11km running and walking routes incorporating the city’s UNESCO World Heritage castles.
Winterthur: Grand Prix Winterthur (formerly Winti Marathon). A family-friendly running event with a great atmosphere and different distances.
Burgdorf: The Seifenkistenrennen Burgdorf is a local soapbox derby where young pilots race imaginative, self-built carts. The course begins at Kronenplatz and heads down the cobblestone path of the Staldenkehr. The event is designed for families and even offers rental soapboxes for those without their own vehicle.
Aarau: The Pferderennen Schachen is a premier horse racing event with a mix of flat racing, trotting and the highly anticipated steeplechase.
