From food markets to autumn fairs, this is what’s on throughout Switzerland in November.
November 1st: All Saints’ Day
It is a public holiday in 16 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, primarily in Catholic regions, where schools and most businesses close: Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Lucerne, Obwalden, Nidwalden, St. Gallen, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug, as well as some parts of Aargau, Basel-Country, and Solothurn,
It is commemorated through church services, prayers and other religious rites, before families and individuals go to the cemetery to lay flowers ot the graves of their loved ones.
READ MORE: Where in Switzerland is November 1st a public holiday?
November 1st: Funfair, Interlaken (Bern)
This eclectic autumn fair, which takes place in one of the most picturesque towns of the Bernese Oberland, offers a diverse selection of artisanal items for sale – such as jewelry, hand-woven baskets, and other handmade arts and crafts, along with clothes, local foods, and many other unique goods.
November 3rd to 8th: Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur
This most important Swiss short film festival attracts thousands of movie fans to Winterthur every year.
It is considered a great way for film professionals to network, while families get the chance to participate in various activities, such as movie workshops, concerts, parties, and interactive installations.
Don’t miss our journalists’ daily news roundup from Switzerland
November 4th: Carrot market, Aarau
On this day, the capital of canton Aargau turns into the nation’s undisputed carrot centre as it hosts its popular annual carrot market.
Much like Bern’s iconic onion market (read more about it below), Aarau’s carrot market – or “Rüeblimärt” as it’s called in Swiss German – is a big hit each year.
November 6th to 9th: Les Automnales Food Festival, Geneva
This huge annual event held at the Palexpo convention centre features local restaurants, food trucks, bars, entertainment, and flagship events like the Cook’n’show and Arvinis, the Swiss wine fair,
November 11th to 15th: Fiera di San Martino, Mendrisio, Ticino
At this traditional outdoor market, named after a saint, you can buy a variety of local products, including food and wine from the region’s vineyards and farms.
An interesting fact: this event has been held at this very spot for almost four centuries.
November 11th to 22nd: Comedy Festival, Montreux and Lausanne
This renowned comedy festival, featuring performances by international and local comedians, will offer a great mix of humour and entertainment.
It is held in two locations: at the Congress Centre 2M2C in Montreux and Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne
November 23rd: Bern Onion Market
Bern’s traditional onion market, or Zibelemärit in Swiss German, will be making its comeback this year.
On the fourth Monday of every November, people around Switzerland flock to Bern’s Old Town from as early as 6 am to admire (and purchase) the various braids of onions on display.
In addition to the onion braids – you can also buy onion garlands or figures in numerous designs from more than 200 stalls. The market also sells onion-based foods such as onion soup, onion tar and onion pizza,
Some Swiss ski resorts open for winter sports
The season is not yet in full swing, but some high altitude resorts in the Swiss Alps are already opening in November.
Among them are:
Zermatt: November 1st
Glacier 3000: November 7th
Davos: November 13th
Grindelwald: November 21st
Crans-Montana: November 28th
Christmas markets
It’s not December yet, but many Christmas markets are opening their doors already this month.
Here are some of them:
Zurich: Opens on November 19th
Bern: Opens on November 20th
Geneva: Opens on November 20th
Lausanne: Opens on November 20th
Basel: Opens on November 26th
Lugano: Opens on November 26th
