September is here and I kid you not this is one of my absolutely favorite months here is Switzerland! It’s not only loaded with activities but also this is the time of the year when those cute cows are coming back from the mountains decorated with tons of flowers. Yes, I am talking about parades, cheese tastings and cute little Autumn markets!
You can find them all sprinkled in this list of events down below, 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 September
Baden: Fantoche is a film festival, showcasing innovative animated films from around the world through international, Swiss, and children’s competitions, special screenings, talks and industry events. Dates: September 1-6.
2nd of September
Lausanne: Tourne-Films Festival combines cinema and music with short films, documentaries, music videos, heritage films, concerts, cultural activities and late-night parties across several Lausanne venues. Dates: September 2-6, most events use a pay-what-you-can system, with CHF 5 to 20 suggested.
Chur: The JazzChurFestival with European jazz and improvised music from September 2nd to 6th.
Wetzikon: ZOM Züri Oberland Mäss is a large regional fair featuring local businesses, new products, food, entertainment, hands-on activities, family programs and evening concerts. Dates: September 2-6.
3rd of September
Solothurn: Solothurner Chäs-Tag is a food festival and market celebrating regional cheese and Swiss specialties, with an Alpine cattle parade through the Old Town, livestock shows, a petting zoo, llama trekking and live music. Date: September 3, from 11:00-21:00 between Rossmarktplatz and Kreuzackerpark, admission is free.
Bellinzona: PerBacco! Harvest Festival celebrates Ticino’s wine and harvest traditions with regional wine tastings, local food, live music, the traditional Saturday market, folkloric parades, grape pressing and winemaking demonstrations throughout the historic center. Dates: September 3rd to 6th.
Avenches: Avenches Tattoo is a spectacular military music festival featuring around 500 musicians from Switzerland and abroad, with marching bands, drum corps, choreographed performances, a parade, and a PC-7 Team air show. Dates: September 3-5.
Arosa: Arosa ClassicCar is an international historic hill-climb race between September 3rd to 6th.
Crans-Montana: The Omega European Masters is one of Europe’s most prestigious professional golf tournaments, bringing top international players to the spectacular Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Swiss Alps. Dates: September 3-6.
La Chaux-de-Fonds: The Braderie & Horlofolies is a city festival celebrating the watchmaking heritage of La Chaux-de-Fonds with free concerts, street performers, pop-up bars and entertainment from September 3-5.
4th of September
Lugano: Streetfood Festival Lugano with around 45 international food stands to the lakeside, along with themed bars, live music, street performers and a large children’s area at Campo Marzio. Dates: September 4-6.
Ascona: The Ascona Polo Cup with 6 teams and more than 80 horses competing in fast-paced polo matches at the former Ascona airfield. Dates: September 4-6, admission to the lateral grandstand is free.
Ennetbühl: Irish Openair brings Irish and Celtic culture to the Toggenburg mountains with live bands, Irish pubs, traditional food and drinks, a medieval market and camping on September 4-5.
Interlaken: The Jungfrau Marathon is one of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain races, taking runners 42.195 km from Interlaken through Lauterbrunnen and Wengen to the finish at Eigergletscher, with around 1,950 meters of climbing and spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Dates: September 4-5.
Maienfeld: Weinfest Maienfeld celebrates the Bündner Herrschaft wine region with local wine tastings, regional food, live music, and a festive atmosphere throughout the historic town. Dates: September 4-6.
Yverdon-les-Bains: Melantropia a festival combining concerts, stand-up, food trucks, an artisan market, family activities, and immersive experiences, with profits supporting Swiss cancer charities.
5th of September
Gstaad: Gstaad Züglete- A traditional Alpine festival, with beautifully decorated cows parading through the Promenade alongside cowbell groups, live music and a market selling local products. Date: September 5, from 9:30 until around 16:00.
Vaduz: The Princely Tattoo Parade brings around 800 musicians and performers through the pedestrianized city center, ending with a large open-air concert at Peter-Kaiser-Platz, followed by smaller concerts and the arrival of decorated Alpine cattle around 14:00.
Kilchberg: The 18th Kilchberger Schwinget is one of Switzerland’s most prestigious traditional wrestling events, held only every 6 years and bringing the country’s top wrestlers together at Stockengut.
Heiden: The Biedermeier Festival transforms the village into a 19th-century setting with around 400 people in period costumes, traditional crafts, food, and cultural performances. A highlight is the large historical parade on Sunday at 14:00. Dates: September 5-6.
Bellinzona: The Alphorn Festival of Italian part of Switzerland with alphorn players from across Switzerland and traditional performances in the historic setting of Castelgrande, celebrating musical exchange between communities north and south of the Alps. Dates: September 5-6.
Twann: The Wine Route where you can walk through the vineyards above Lake Biel and taste wines directly from local producers, with regional food available along the route. Dates: September 5-6, from 11:00–18:00 and the official regional wine site lists admission at CHF 30.
Schwyz: Jazz meets Folklore fills the center of Schwyz with bands and ensembles performing jazz, funk, soul, rock, pop, swing, blues, and traditional Swiss folk music across 11 locations.
Vaduz: Genussfestival Vaduz turns Rathausplatz into a gourmet street-food destination, with Michelin-starred chefs, rising talents, and local favorites serving creative dishes from stylish food trucks, accompanied by music and special events. Dates: September 5-13.
Locarno: Triathlon Locarno is a multisport festival on Lake Maggiore with races for all levels from September 5-6.
6th of September
St. Gallen: Stägestadt-Tag turns the city’s famous stairways into stages for music, literature, theater, fashion and other performances, with a guided tour highlighting St. Gallen’s roughly 13,000 public steps.
Basel: Erasmus klingt! Festival Lab is an interdisciplinary Baroque festival inspired by Erasmus of Rotterdam, combining concerts, opera, talks, city tours and academic events. Dates: September 6-13.
9th of September
Montreux–Vevey: Septembre Musical is a prestigious classical music festival celebrating its 80th edition with orchestras, renowned soloists, chamber music and experimental “Classic & Lab” formats at venues including Auditorium Stravinski, Château de Chillon, Caux Palace, and Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Dates: September 9-18.
10th of September
Altstätten: The Federal Folk Music Festival will turn Altstätten’s historic Old Town into the center of Swiss folk music, with around 1,500 musicians, 12 stages, concerts, traditional Stubete sessions, markets, food and a large Sunday parade. Dates: September 9-12.
Romont: The Bénichon is a traditional Fribourg harvest festival centered around the famous multi-course Bénichon meal, with folk music, dancing, children’s activities, a carousel, and festive food and drinks. Dates: September 11-12.
Ascona: CSI Ascona is a prestigious international show-jumping tournament featuring top riders and horses from around the world. Dates: September 10-13, admission is free on all days.
Liestal / Basel-Landschaft: Baselbieter Genusswoche is an 11-day celebration of regional food and producers, with more than 50 events including tastings, special menus, markets, workshops, farm visits and bakery events. Dates: September 10-20.
11th of September
Lenzburg: The Medieval Market at Lenzburg Castle features more than 40 stalls, traditional crafts, falconry, sword fighting, medieval music, workshops and historic food from the castle kitchen and medieval oven. Dates: September 11-13.
La Neuveville: The Wine Festival celebrates the region’s winemaking traditions with local wine tastings, more than 30 food specialties, concerts, a fun fair, children’s activities and a large Sunday parade with floats, brass bands, and over 500 participants. Dates: September 11-13.
Bulle: Bénichon de Bulle is a celebration of Gruyère and Fribourg traditions, with around 15 music groups performing everything from rock and blues to alphorns, choirs, bell ringers, guggen music and Swiss folk music. Dates: September 11-13.
Gstaad: Country Night Gstaad is a country music festival, bringing major U.S. country artists to the Festival Tent alongside line dancing, Western-themed stalls, food trucks, bars, a saloon, family entertainment and aftershow parties. Dates: September 11-12.
Lucerne: Lozärner Oktoberfest brings Bavarian-style festivities to Messe Luzern with live party bands, beer by the liter, traditional dishes like pretzels, Weisswurst and roast chicken and plenty of lederhosen-and-dirndl atmosphere. Dates: September 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26.
12th of September
Gryon: The Gryon Désalpe is an Alpine Festival with decorated herds, alphorn music, cowbells, flag throwing, yodeling and Swiss mountain traditions at Place de la Barboleuse. When: from 10:00-17:00.
Saas-Fee: This traditional Alpine descent sees more than 100 goats make their way from Alp Hannig through the larch forest down to Saas-Fee, with visitors welcome to join the procession and enjoy an aperitif along the route. When: from 9:00 a.m., participation is free and hiking shoes plus weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
St-Luc: The traditional Désalpe welcomes flower-decorated cows back from the Rouaz alpine pasture with a procession through the village, folk music, food stands and local alpine cheese. When: from 10:30 a.m., the herd should reach the village around 11:30 a.m., festivities continue from noon at Place de la Praz and admission is free.
Müstair: S-chargiada d’Alp is a traditional Alpine cattle descent where decorated cows return from the summer pastures and are welcomed with music, folklore, food and festivities in front of the UNESCO-listed St. John Monastery. When: from 10:30 to 16:00, the cows are expected to arrive between noon and 13:00.
St. Stephan: The 40th Alpabfahrt is a Swiss Alpine Festival with decorated cattle from the Dürrenwald alpine pasture, with regional market stalls, food and drinks, live music, cheese-making demonstrations and children’s activities. When: from 10:30-16:00, the cattle arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 13:00, admission is free.
Innertkirchen: The Alpabfahrt & Dorffest celebrates the return of decorated cows from the Gental and Engstlen alpine pastures, with a village market, food and drinks, children’s activities, live music and evening dancing in the festival tent. Dates: September 12-13, from 9:00, the first herds arrive around noon and admission is free.
Caux: The Grande Désalpe de Caux celebrates the return of cattle from the Alpine pastures, with the herd descending into the village alongside food, drinks and entertainment throughout the day. When: from 11:00 a.m. at Place des Tennis de Caux, admission is free.
Zurich: Knabenschiessen is an annual folk festival, combining a centuries-old youth shooting competition with a huge fair featuring amusement rides, market stalls and plenty of food and drinks at Albisgütli. Dates: September 12-14, the festival is open to everyone.
Hofstetten bei Brienz: Ballenberg’s Autumn Market combines handmade and regional products, traditional craft demonstrations, cider pressing and distilling with a Cantonal Festival celebrating Northwestern Switzerland through folk music, traditional dance, and regional specialties. Dates: September 12-13.
Across Switzerland: European Heritage Days open the doors to historic buildings, archaeological sites, workshops and places that are normally difficult to access, with more than 400 free tours, exhibitions, excursions, and activities. Dates: September 12–13.
Ollon: This vineyard weekend when visitors hop between local wineries by shuttle, taste wines directly from the producers and enjoy regional food specialties along the way. Dates: September 12-13, from 10:30-18:00, the tasting glass and transportation cost CHF 20, with no advance registration required.
Ecuvillens: Bénichon & Tradition celebrates Fribourg’s harvest traditions with regional food, artisan stalls, a funfair, pig races, live music and a Sunday folkloric parade with decorated floats, musicians, and a herd of cows. Dates: September 11–13, with the main market and entertainment on Saturday and the parade and traditional Bénichon meal on Sunday.
13th of September
Ferden: This traditional church celebration features the striking Herrgottsgrenadiere– the Lötschental’s historic “red soldiers” accompanying the morning Mass and procession, followed by a ceremonial flag parade.
17th of September
Ascona: SunIce Festival, an electronic music festival on the shores of Lake Maggiore, with international DJs and a beach-festival atmosphere. Dates: September 17-19.
Avenches: National FM is Switzerland’s major celebration of the Franches-Montagnes horse breed, with more than 500 horses competing in dressage, show jumping, driving, breeding championships and other disciplines, plus a national foal auction and stallion parade. Dates: September 17-20.
Across Valais: Semaine du Goût celebrates regional food and culinary traditions with around 60 events, including markets, tastings, workshops, tavolatas, food festivals and special restaurant experiences. Dates: September 17-27.
Zug: Genuss Film Festival combines culinary cinema with fine dining, pairing food-focused documentaries and feature films with four-course dinners by top chefs, talks, and award ceremonies beside Lake Zug. Dates: September 17-24.
Scuol / Lower Engadin: Genusswoche celebrates regional cuisine with special menus, tastings, workshops, producer encounters, and culinary experiences centered on local Engadin ingredients and specialties. Dates: September 17-27.
18th of September
Sumiswald: The Emmental Alpine Festival with around 850 flower-decorated cattle coming back from their summer pastures, with herding families, ringing cowbells, yodeling, and festivities in the villages of Sumiswald and Wasen. When: the processions begin around 7:30 a.m., with cattle arriving through Wasen and Sumiswald roughly between 8:30 a.m. and 13:00, followed by additional celebrations.
Sigriswil: The Chästeilet in Justistal is a nearly 300-year-old tradition where Alpine farmers divide the summer’s mountain cheese before decorated cattle descend to the valley, accompanied by folk music and regional food. When: from 10:00 at Spycherberg, admission is free.
Estavayer-le-Lac: The Medieval Festival takes over Château de Chenaux with a medieval market, cannon fire, combat demonstrations, crafts, dancing, dungeon visits and live medieval music. Dates: September 18-20.
Payerne: The Poulpe Festival, a multi-arts festival with live music, circus, street performances, theater, comedy, exhibitions, film screenings, food trucks and bars. Dates: September 18-19.
Lausanne: Label Suisse is a free biennial music festival with pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music to jazz, classical, and modern folk, across multiple venues in the city. Dates: September 18-20, admission is free.
Winterthur: Winterthur Culture Night celebrates with venues across the city opening their doors for concerts, theater, dance, exhibitions, workshops and special performances. Dates: September 18-19.
Ascona & Locarno: classicAscona, formerly Settimane Musicali Ascona, with around 50 classical music events, public masterclasses, and performances by artists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Sol Gabetta, Vilde Frang, and Arcadi Volodos. Dates: September 18 to October 10.
Aarau: Bachfischet is one of Switzerland’s oldest living traditions, with schoolchildren carrying handmade candle-lit lanterns through the darkened Old Town, followed by fireworks and the famous final “Mordschlapf” bang in Schachen. When: from 20:15-23:15, admission is free and the parade takes place in most weather conditions.
19th of September
Blatten-Belalp: The Eringer Alpine Festival with the traditionally decorated Hérens cows make their way down from Belalp to Blatten, followed by a village celebration with market stalls, traditional music and the crowning of the Belalp Alp Queen.
Klosters: The Alpine Parade in Monbiel celebrates the return of decorated cows and goats from the mountain pastures with a folk festival featuring Alpine cheese tastings, regional food, children’s activities, alphorn and folk music, plus an evening concert and party.
Russin (Geneva): Fête des Vendanges de Russin is a grape harvest festival celebrating local wine and regional produce with tastings, food stands, concerts and entertainment throughout the village. Dates: September 19-20.
Flims: The Flimserstein Alpine Festival with around 200 decorated cows and calves descend from Bargis through Fidaz to Flims, accompanied by a farmers’ breakfast, market stalls, regional food, live music, and a festive barn party. When: the cows arrive in Bargis around noon and begin the descent at 14:00, admission is free.
Grächen: This traditional Alpine descent with festively decorated sheep coming back to the village, followed by a sheep show where the most beautiful and best animals are awarded prizes.
Celerina: The Alpine Procession celebrates the return of decorated cows from the Marguns and Laret mountain pastures, with a parade through the village, live music, folklore, a farmers’ market, vintage tractors, pony rides, and regional food. Dates: September 19–20, festivities begin Saturday at noon, with the cattle parade around 13:00.
Urnäsch: The traditional Farmers’ Market features more than 50 stalls with local products, crafts, music, children’s activities, and pig races, while decorated cattle and herders may pass through the village as part of the seasonal Alpine descent. Date: from around 9:00 a.m., admission is free and the exact timing of cattle descents are confirmed only shortly beforehand depending on weather and pasture conditions.
Liestal: The Trüffelmarkt at Liestal’s Old Town, with gourmet stalls and the Gnussmärt Autumn Festival celebrating seasonal regional food. When: from 8:00-16:00 on Rathausstrasse.
Praz: The Vully Grape Harvest Festival celebrates the region’s wine traditions with concerts, processions, children’s activities, local wine and seasonal food throughout the village. Dates: September 19-20.
Ovronnaz: Fromage & Cime celebrates Valais raclette with local cheesemakers and alpine producers, tastings, regional specialties, and the Fromage & Cime d’Or competition for the year’s best raclette cheese. Dates: September 19-20.
Bellinzona: Japan Matsuri celebrates Japanese culture with traditional arts, martial arts, cosplay, manga, live performances, workshops, games and Japanese street food. Dates: September 19-20, at Espocentro.
Zug: The Zug Medieval Festival, with historical reenactments, traditional crafts, market stalls, military encampments, jugglers, and live medieval music. Dates: September 19-20.
Flanthey: Le Temps du Cornalin celebrates the Valais region’s signature Cornalin red wine with tastings from local and guest wineries, regional food, live music and a special medieval theme for its 20th anniversary. When: from 10:30-18:00.
Avenches: Equus Helveticus is an equestrian festival with show jumping, dressage, driving, breeding competitions and Swiss young-horse championships, alongside food trucks and free family activities. Dates: September 19-20.
Lucerne: The World Band Festival is dedicated to wind music, bringing musicians from around the world to the KKL for brass, jazz, swing, classical, folk, show-music concerts and competitions. Dates: September 19-27.
21st of September
Jaun: This centuries-old sheep fair marks the end of the Alpine grazing season, with sheep and goats returning to the village, around 50 market stalls, folk music and festive local restaurants.
24th of September
Zurich: The Zurich Film Festival, featuring international premieres, gala screenings, feature and documentary competitions, filmmaker talks and appearances by major actors and directors. Dates: September 24 to October 4, 2026.
Rolle: Rolle Jazz Festival in the historic Château de Rolle with intimate concerts, jam sessions, masterclasses and a lakeside stage. Dates: September 24-27.
25th of September
Neuchâtel: The Grape Harvest Festival is one of Switzerland’s largest traditional celebrations, with a winemakers’ village, carnival rides, confetti battles, fireworks over the lake and the spectacular Sunday flower parade. Dates: September 25-27.
Thun: Thun Water Magic is a spectacular open-air show combining choreographed fountains, colorful lights, lasers and music on the Aare, with food and drink stands nearby. Dates: September 25 till October 25, daily at 19:30 and 21:15, each show lasts around 20 minutes and admission is free.
Chur: Schlagerparade is a big retro music celebration featuring decorated “Hossamobile” floats and vintage cars parading through the city, followed by live Schlager bands and parties at Stadthalle Chur. Dates: September 25-26.
Lutry: The Lutry Grape Harvest Festival with local wine, pop-up cellars, concerts, food and a traditional children’s parade taking place Sunday at 15:00. Dates: September 25-27.
Uster: Oktoberfest Züri-Oberland with live party bands, beer-hall food and drinks, dirndls and lederhosen and a traditional barrel-tapping opening night. Dates: September 25-26, October 2-3, and October 9-10 at Landihalle.
Tegerfelden: Tegerfelder Wysonntig is a wine festival celebrating the village’s winemaking culture with tastings from local producers, regional food, live music and family activities. Dates: September 25-27.
26th of September
Les Charbonnières: The Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP marks the start of the famous seasonal cheese with tastings, a local produce market, folk music and a traditional Alpine descent featuring cows, sheep and horse-drawn carriages. When: from 9:00-18:00.
Plaffeien: The Alpabzug Plaffeien–Schwarzsee is one of the region’s biggest Alpine cattle descents, with up to 1,000 beautifully decorated animals arriving throughout the day, plus a regional market, traditional food, music, and entertainment in the village center.
Saint-Cergue: The Désalpe de Saint-Cergue is the largest Alpine cattle descent in the Lake Geneva region, with around 700 decorated cows parading through the village alongside folk concerts, traditional entertainment, an artisan market and regional food.
Charmey: The Désalpe de Charmey is one of Fribourg’s best-known Alpine cattle descents, with flower-decorated cows and traditional herders returning from the mountain pastures, accompanied by alphorns, flag throwing, folk music, regional food and a little market with artisans and cheesemakers.
Schüpfheim: The Entlebuch Alpine Festival with around 300 decorated cattle returning from the mountain pastures alongside herders, traditional wagons, yodelers, alphorn players, flag throwers and a large regional food and produce market. When: from 10:00-18:00, the main cattle procession begins around 11:30.
Weggis: The Autumn Market & Cattle Show is a traditional festival, featuring around 250 cows and cattle judged for prizes, an Alpine cattle descent with decorated animals, folk music, local food, crafts and regional products. When: the market runs roughly 9:00-16:00 along Seestrasse, with the decorated cattle heading home around 15:00.
Lignières: The Désalpe Festival, an Alpine Festival with around 60 lower-covered heifers coming back from their summer Alpine pastures.
Thun: Käsefest Thun celebrates Swiss cheese with regional cheesemakers selling their specialties, live cheesemaking demonstrations, traditional culture and plenty of opportunities to taste and buy local dairy products. When: from 9:00-17:00 at Bälliz, admission is free.
Le Châble: Bagnes, Capitale de la Raclette celebrates Valais AOP raclette with tastings of different cheeses, local products, live music, a Hérens cow competition, and a large Sunday parade through the village. Dates: September 26-27.
Lausanne: Museum Night with 29 museums across the Lausanne region offering exhibitions, performances, special activities, encounters and one-off experiences throughout the afternoon and evening. When: from 14:00 to midnight, adult tickets cost CHF 10 and children up to 16 enter free.
Flims: Flims Balloon Week brings 18 hot-air balloon crews from across Europe to the Graubünden mountains, with daily balloon flights, family activities, tethered balloon experiences and a spectacular Night Glow. Dates: September 26 to October 4.
Erlach: Erlacher Läset-Sunntige is a traditional grape harvest festival in the medieval town on Lake Biel, featuring colorful parades, local wines, food and live music. Dates: September 26-27 and October 3-4.
29th of September
Lugano: FIT International Festival of Theatre and Contemporary Scene brings artists from around the world to Lugano for contemporary theater, dance, performance, cinema, artist talks and experimental multidisciplinary productions. Dates: September 29 to October 11.
So yeah, that’s about it, the list took hourssss to prepare so feel free to let me know how you liked it:)
