From a traditional cheese festival to the Eurovision Song Contest — these are some of the events to check out this May across Switzerland.
Cheese Festival, Gruyère, May 2nd-4th
Switzerland’s famous Gruyère cheese has been manufactured for centuries in the area surrounding the medieval village of the same name.
Cows grazing on the region’s grasslands provide plenty of milk for the cheese, all of which makes this festival a must for the lovers of cheese and spectacular scenery as well.
During the festival, you can also discover how the cheese is made, and watch the demonstration of other local arts and crafts — for instance the crafting of cream spoons, wooden utensils, and lace-making.
The Laughter Festival, Geneva, May 7th to May 11th
Now, that’s definitely something to laugh about.
During the five days of the festival, various comedians and other hilarious artists will ply their trade at two city venues: the Casino Théâtre and Théâtre Pitoëff.
You can find out more about this event here.
Schwyz Cantonal Wrestling and Alpine Festival, Einsiedeln, May 9th to May 11th
This event is not only folkloric but also historic in nature, as it marks the 101st edition of the festival.
Over 240 wrestlers from the canton of Schwyz and the rest of central Switzerland, will get together for stone throwing, playing the alphorn, flag-waving, and yodelling — it can’t be any more ‘Swiss’ than this.
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Eurovision Song Contest, Basel, May 13th to May 17th
Basel will host Europe’s largest song competition, the Eurovision, following Swiss artist Nemo’s victory in last year’s edition.
The contest, for which local authorities are earmarking 35 million francs after this budget was apprived in a local referendum, will be staged at St. Jakobshalle in the Munchenstein district on the edge of Basel.
Switzerland’s national railway company (SBB) will put 85 additional trains into operation to take ESC spectators to and from Basel for the concerts.
Cycle Week, Zurich, May 22nd to May 25th
If you are into bikes (or just like to watch others have fun on them), you can go to the foot of Zurich’s local mountain, the Uetliberg, where you can test a varied sports infrastructure featuring a pump track, a dirt jump facility, a BMX skate park, mountain bike trails, gravel roads, and racing bike routes, while improve your own biking skills in the process.
More details about this event can be found here.
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Strawberry Festival, Locarno, May 29th
Each year, these berries — in all its forms and shapes —take over the Ticino city’s famous Piazza Grande, where you can taste different versions of this fruit, while enjoying concerts taking place on a stage set up in the square.
Chocolate Festival, Lausanne, May 30th
Despite what its name suggests, this event has nothing to do with chocolate — whether the making of it or tasting.
Instead, this curiously named festival is actually an electronic music concert that takes place at the Pyramids of Vidy, at the shore of Lake Geneva.
You can enjoy a blend of sounds, featuring both acclaimed artists and emerging talents from Switzerland and abroad.
