October is back and we begin to really see those colors changing! So aside from some stunning autumn hikes you can so why not visit a cool event that fits the season? Don’t forget that this is usually the last month to enjoy the Swiss traditional Alpabzug with its decorated cows parading on their wat doen from their summer vacation in the mountains. That, along with some chestnuts roasting and good amount of other events can really spice up your month. So here we go!
Feel free to comment if you find it helpful and also if you think I missed something that should have made it to the list- Enjoyyyy!
1st of October
Flims: Balloon Week is already in full swing and this year is a special one, celebrating 125 years of the Aero Club of Switzerland. Around 18 balloon crews take to the skies above Flims, with flights, activities and a spectacular Night Glow planned during the week. Dates: September 26– October 4.
Zurich: The Zurich Film Festival is still running until the 4th of October, bringing premieres, gala screenings, international filmmakers and plenty of movie events to the city. Dates: September 24 – October 4.
Zurich: Züri-Wiesn is celebrating its 20th edition inside Zurich HB! Expect a huge Oktoberfest tent, live music, beer, traditional food and plenty of dirndls and lederhosen. Dates: September 24 – October 17.
Thun: Thun Water Magic transforms the Aare basin into a water, light and music show every evening. There are two different 20-minute shows every night and admission is free. Dates: September 25 – October 25. Shows: 19:30 & 21:15.
Lausanne: Circus Knie is at Bellerive with its latest show, bringing Switzerland’s famous national circus to Lausanne for a couple more weeks till October 11.
Seegräben & Jona: The pumpkin exhibitions at Jucker Farm are on too! This year’s theme is “GUTE REISE!”, with huge pumpkin sculptures inspired by travel, together with thousands of pumpkins, pumpkin food and loads of little autumn activities. The exhibition at Juckerhof in Seegräben runs until October 25 and the one at Bächlihof in Jona until November 1. There are also special events throughout October, including the giant pumpkin weighing, pumpkin carving and Halloween celebrations.
2nd of October
Döttingen: One of the biggest wine festivals in German-speaking Switzerland is back! The Winzerfest attracts tens of thousands of visitors with wine tastings, more than 100 market stands, food, a Luna Park and a huge traditional winegrowers’ parade on Sunday. Dates: October 2–4.
Lugano: The Lugano Autumn Festival takes over the city center for three days with little grottos, Ticino food and wine, market stalls, traditional music and entertainment. One of the nicest excuses for an autumn weekend in Ticino! Dates: October 2–4.
Hallau: The Hallauer Herbstfest turns this wine village in Schaffhausen into one big autumn celebration with wine tastings, food, music, market stalls and a huge traditional parade on Sunday. There is also an illuminated night parade on Saturday. Dates: October 2–4.
Nyon: Fête de la Vigne celebrates the grape harvest with local wine, food, concerts, DJs, tastings, activities and an autumn market. Dates: October 2–3.
Bern: HeroFest takes over Bernexpo with gaming, cosplay, anime, manga, Japanese pop culture, LEGO, a medieval market, music and loads of activities. Dates: October 2–4.
Martigny: The Foire du Valais returns for its 66th edition, bringing together regional products, food, local businesses, entertainment and events for ten days. Dates: October 2–11.
Morat / Fribourg: The famous Morat–Fribourg race weekend is back, with the historic main race between the two cities taking place on Sunday together with shorter races, walking and trail events. Dates: October 2–4.
3rd of October
Albeuve: One of the beautiful traditional Désalpes of the season takes place in Albeuve, where decorated cows make their way back down from the mountains accompanied by farmers in traditional clothing. There is also a regional market, folk music and festivities throughout the village.
Saint-Prex: The Swiss Classic British Car Meeting fills the village with hundreds of beautiful classic British cars and motorcycles. In previous editions, more than 1,000 vehicles have taken part, so this one is seriously impressive even if you’re not a huge car person.
Lucerne: The Lozärner Määs is back with a huge Luna Park, rides, food stands and a traditional market around Inseli, Europaplatz and Bahnhofplatz. Dates: October 3–18.
Huttwil: Cheese lovers can head to Huttwil for its two-day cheese market on Brunnenplatz. Dates: October 3–4, 10:00–17:00.
Ligerz: Läset-Sunntige celebrates the wine harvest in this gorgeous village above Lake Biel with open wine cellars, tastings, local food, markets and music. Dates: October 3–4 & October 10–11.
4th of October
All over Switzerland: It’s Swiss Castle Day! Castles around Switzerland are taking part with special activities and programs, and the 2026 theme is “Travel.” A cute excuse to finally visit one of those castles you keep driving past.
Elm: Elm combines two of my favorite Swiss things in one event: an Alpabzug and cheese. The Glarner Alpchäs- und Schabzigermärt includes alpine cheese, Schabziger, tastings, a market and decorated cows making their way through the village.
Lausanne: Autumn’s Fondue turns Parc de Mon-Repos into one giant outdoor fondue gathering. Come hungry because the entire concept is basically sitting outside in autumn and eating cheese together. When: from 12:00.
Maienfeld: Horse racing returns to Switzerland’s unique natural racecourse in Maienfeld, surrounded by the beautiful Bündner autumn landscape. There are trotting and gallop races, betting and plenty of food and drinks. Dates: October 4 & 11.
6th of October
Zurich: Switzerland Tourism and Monocle are hosting the Culinary Grand Tour Market at Kaufleuten, bringing together Swiss producers, wine, food and craftsmanship, with talks followed by tastings. When: 18:00–21:30.
Fribourg: The Swiss Cheese Awards come to Fribourg, where around 1,000 cheeses compete across dozens of categories. The week also includes public events, a cheese market, tastings, workshops and cheese-making demonstrations. Dates: October 6–11.
8th of October
St. Gallen: One of Switzerland’s biggest autumn events is back! OLMA is all about Swiss agriculture, animals, food, traditions and regional culture, with exhibitions, performances, family activities and even the iconic pig races. Dates: October 8–18.
9th of October
Romainmôtier: Les Sonnailles celebrates Swiss rural traditions with cowbells, regional products, agriculture, crafts, music and more than 80 exhibitors in the beautiful medieval village of Romainmôtier. Dates: October 9–11.
Bern: The Berner Weinmesse returns with around 2,000 wines from Switzerland and abroad, together with a delicatessen market and plenty of opportunities to taste your way through the evening. Dates: October 9–18.
Pfäffikon SZ: Oktoberfest Zürichsee brings a little Bavaria to the shores of Lake Zurich with beer, traditional food, dirndls, music and plenty of Oktoberfest atmosphere. It takes place on selected Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until the end of the month.
10th of October
Lenk: The Älplerfest in Lenk celebrates the end of the alpine season with beautifully decorated cows, two herd processions, a farmers’ market, cheese making, traditional music and even the election of “Miss Lenk” among the cows.
Ascona: One week after its autumn festival, Ascona gets even more autumnal with its Chestnut Festival! Expect roasted chestnuts, local specialties, handicrafts and a themed market along the lakeside.
Bellinzona: The Cheese & Autumn Festival fills the center of Bellinzona with stalls selling alpine cheeses from Ticino and Mesolcina together with other regional autumn products. Dates: October 10–11.
Osterfingen: The little wine village of Osterfingen celebrates its traditional Trottenfest with open wine cellars, tastings, music, local food, crafts and decorated village fountains. Dates: October 10–11.
Brig: Nihon Matsuri brings Japanese culture to Brig’s old town and Stockalper Castle with traditional arts, music, a Japanese market, talks and martial arts. Dates: October 10–11. Admission is free.
14th of October
Lausanne: LUFF – the Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival – is back for its 25th edition with five days dedicated to unusual, experimental, weird cinema and music. Dates: October 14–18.
Basel: Mesh Festival takes over the Dreispitz area with a mix of art and technology, including exhibitions, performances, talks, a conference and a club night. Dates: October 14–18.
15th of October
Châtel-St-Denis: La Bénichon celebrates the end of the farming and alpine season with one of Fribourg’s most traditional feasts. Expect folk traditions and a VERY serious meal including cuchaule, Bénichon mustard, ham, lamb, poires à Botzi and of course meringues with double cream. Dates: October 15–18.
16th of October
Basel: Baloise Session is back with its super intimate concert setup, where international artists perform while the audience sits around little club-style tables. The 2026 lineup includes Mark Forster, Lo & Leduc, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Rick Astley, Natasha Bedingfield, Calum Scott, Erykah Badu, James Arthur and more. Dates: October 16 – November 4.
17th of October
Lucerne: More cheese! The Lucerne Cheese Festival brings cheesemakers from around Central Switzerland to Kapellplatz with tons of local and artisanal cheeses to discover. Date: October 17, 09:00–17:00.
Fully: The Fête de la Châtaigne takes over Fully for an entire weekend with almost 300 stands celebrating chestnuts, local food, regional products and traditional crafts. Dates: October 17–18.
Bern: Rendez-vous Bundesplatz begins its autumn season, projecting an impressive light and sound show directly onto the Federal Palace. This year’s show is called “Natur Pur.” It runs three times every evening and is completely free. Dates: October 17 – November 21. Shows at 19:00, 20:00 & 21:00.
Ramosch: The Bergbierfestival combines a scenic hike through the Engadin with Swiss mountain beer tastings along the way, finishing with a festival in Ramosch. Hiking and beer – apparently we’ve found a way to make exercise Swiss 😂 Dates: October 17–18.
18th of October
Flumserberg: This one sounds wonderfully Swiss 😂 The Alpchäsmarkt combines an alpine cheese market and traditional cheese making with an actual cow race! The cows are ridden by female jockeys and the race starts in the afternoon. Date: October 18. Admission is free.
20th of October
Zurich: Zürich liest turns the city into one big literary festival, with more than 200 readings, discussions, workshops and events spread across over 100 locations in Zurich and the surrounding area. Dates: October 20–25.
21st of October
Zug: The Zuger Filmtage celebrate their 10th edition with five days dedicated to Swiss film, bringing together audiences, filmmakers and young talent. Dates: October 21–25.
Vevey: VIFFF – the Vevey International Funny Film Festival – is dedicated entirely to comedy films, with screenings and events taking place around the city. Dates: October 21–25.
23rd of October
Twann: Trüelete is basically one big wine celebration in this gorgeous village on Lake Biel. Wine cellars open their doors, there are local wines and food, a craft market, music and events throughout the village. Dates: October 23–25.
24th of October
Basel: The Basel Herbstmesse is back! One of Switzerland’s oldest and biggest autumn fairs spreads across several squares in the city with rides, games and all the classic fair food – think Magenbrot, Chäsbängel and way too many things covered in sugar. Dates: October 24 – November 8, with the Petersplatz market continuing a little longer.
Basel: Swiss Indoors begins today! The ATP 500 tennis tournament is one of Switzerland’s biggest sporting events and brings some of the world’s top tennis players to St. Jakobshalle. Dates: October 24 – November 1.
Zurich: Zurich hosts the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final for the first time, bringing street dancers from more than 50 countries to Hallenstadion. The audience chooses the winners rather than a traditional jury.
Ticino: Open House Ticino gives you free access to dozens of normally inaccessible buildings, private homes, cultural spaces and architectural projects across the canton, with tours often led by the architects and designers themselves. Dates: October 24–25. Admission is free.
Muotathal: The Alpchäsmärcht celebrates its 30th edition with dozens of exhibitors, including alpine cheesemakers, together with local meat and natural products, live music and cheese-making demonstrations. Dates: October 24–25.
Appenzell: And apparently October 24 is officially another cheese day! The Appenzell Cheese Festival takes place in the garden of the Capuchin monastery with a cheese market, live cheese making and traditional music. Dates: October 24–25.
Castel San Pietro: Ticino has its own pumpkin celebration this weekend, with the Festa della Zucca serving pumpkins in basically every possible form, sweet, savory and everything in between. Dates: October 24–25.
25th of October
Lausanne: The Lausanne Marathon returns with marathon, half-marathon, 10K and walking distances along a gorgeous route around Lausanne and Lake Geneva. Even if running voluntarily for several hours is not your thing , it’s a fun day to watch and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lucerne: The SwissCityMarathon also takes place today, with its scenic course past the lake, mountains and some of Lucerne’s most recognizable sights. The races are already on waiting lists, but it’s still a great event to watch from the city. Date: October 25.
29th of October
Zurich: Expovina’s famous Wine Ships are back! Boats docked at Bürkliplatz turn into a huge floating wine fair where you can discover and taste hundreds of wines, with restaurants and food options on board too. Dates: October 29 – November 12.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle & Saint-Imier: The Biennale du Patrimoine Horloger gives visitors a rare look behind the scenes of Switzerland’s watchmaking world. Manufacturers, workshops and locations that are normally closed to the public open their doors for special visits and activities. Dates: October 29 – November 1.
Valais: The Rallye International du Valais returns for its 66th edition, with cars racing along mountain roads around Valais and a free Rally Village at Martigny Expo with entertainment and concerts. Dates: October 29–31.
30th of October
Geneva: The Geneva International Film Festival – GIFF – kicks off with ten days dedicated to cinema, TV series and immersive and digital storytelling. Dates: October 30 – November 8.
Neuchâtel: Chocolatissimo is back and yes, it is exactly what it sounds like: DAYS of chocolate. Local chocolatiers show off their creations around the city with tastings, workshops and chocolate-themed activities. Dates: October 30 – November 7.
Olten: The Olten Book Festival celebrates its 10th edition with readings, workshops and events for book lovers throughout the weekend. Dates: October 30 – November 1.
31st of October
Aarberg: Aarberg celebrates its traditional Zibelemärit with around 75 stalls selling onions and garlic alongside crafts, food, jewelry and other market goodies. Dates: October 31 – November 1.
Bonvillars: The Truffle Market returns to Bonvillars, celebrating the truffles that grow around the region with a market dedicated to this little culinary treasure. When: 09:00–17:00.
Bern: One last cheese festival to close the month! The Käsefest takes place on Waisenhausplatz in the center of Bern. When: 09:00–17:00.
Seegräben: And if you’d rather finish October with pumpkins than cheese, Juckerhof celebrates Halloween in the middle of the pumpkin exhibition with pumpkin lantern carving, costumes and plenty of pumpkin food.
