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CULTURE

8 of the best Easter events in Switzerland you won’t want to miss

From fun fares to egg hunts and Swiss traditions, here are some events you shouldn’t miss this Easter in Switzerland.

Easter decorations.
Easter decorations. Image by L Moonlight on Pixabay

Osterchilbi

If you happen to live or be visiting the Zurich area over the Easter break and are looking for something quintessentially Swiss to do, drop by the Osterchilbi held at the Klotener Stadtplatz from April 8th-16th 2023 between 1.30pm and 10pm.

Swiss chilbis, or annual fairs, are a must-see at least once in your lifetime and feature many rides, claw machines, games, and delicious local and foreign foods for you to try.

Easter egg hunt

For those with children, Baden’s Easter egg hunt is well worth a visit. The traditional egg hunt is hosted in the large park around the Museum Langmatt and includes many great hiding places for 200 children aged 8 and under to enjoy.

The hunt starts at 3pm on April 8th and will take place in all weather conditions, just remember to bring your own baskets.

Easter goodies

Get ready for Easter events in Switzerland. Photo: George Dolgikh @ Giftpundits.com / Pexels

Zwänzgerle

Always fancied taking part in a Swiss tradition? Now’s your time to shine and win some money – if you’re any good that is. Zwänzgerle is an Easter tradition dating back to the 18th century that is still celebrated in the city of Zurich each year.

Every Easter Monday morning, crowds of adults and children gather in the heart of Zurich’s Old Town to play a few rounds of Zwänzgerle. The tradition dictates that children hold out a hard-boiled egg while adults throw 20-cent coins aimed at cracking the egg. Only if the coin lodges in the shell does the adult win, making Zwänzgerle a blast for children.

Blaueierschwimmen

This unique Easter tradition takes place in in the Seebadi Niederuster at 2pm on April 10th. To get hold of a blue egg, hundreds of participants must venture into the 5-13C cold Greifensee lake and retrieve the egg some 20 metres away.

Whether you’re visiting as a pro swimmer or prefer to enjoy a snack as a bystander, this event is good fun for the whole family.

Easter at Aigle castle

Another fabulous Easter activity for children will take place at the Aigle castle, itself a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Every Wednesday to Saturday in April between the hours of 2pm and 3.30pm and 4pm and 5.30pm visitors can delight in the castle’s mesmerising surroundings during springtime. The castle will also be organising various activities for children, such as hide-and-seek with an Easter bunny, a treasure hunt and Easter-related storytelling.

Chemin du Château, Aigle, Switzerland.

Chemin du Château, Aigle, Switzerland. Photo by Yann Lerjen on Unsplash

Easter market

If you’re looking to combine a leisurely stroll with magnificent views over Lake Zug with a shopping trip and delicious food, look no further than the town’s Easter market.

The market, which takes place on April 10th from 9am to 6pm, will feature some 60 vendors offering a wide variety of items, from jewellery and leather goods, to toys, accessories, and home-made bread. If you get hungry, you can choose from a number of food stalls serving tasty and healthy dishes for young and old.

Easter at the rural and craft museum

If your kids have had their fair share of egg-hunting this Easter, why not have them hunt for chicks instead?

Between April 7th-23rd, the Musée paysan & artisanal in La Chaux-de-Fonds will be home to a set of hens and their chicks. Children are invited to come observe the animals and learn about the many objects in the museum by locating the hidden chicks.

Easter at the Vullierens castle

On Easter Sunday, April 9th from 9.30am to 6pm, visitors can participate in the great Easter egg and treasure hunt in the gardens of the Vullierens castle. Children can follow in the footsteps of Lindt’s gold rabbit in the search for lost eggs. The good news? The game is adapted for different age brackets, with older children being given more challenging tasks involving planning and problem-solving.

The day will also include pony rides for the young, while adults can sip on delicious local wine.

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WHAT'S ON IN SWITZERLAND

Six unmissable events in Switzerland in April 2024

From Zermatt's unplugged music festival to Swiss beer in Solothurn, there are plenty of events in Switzerland to keep you entertained this April.

Six unmissable events in Switzerland in April 2024

Tulip Festival 

Morges (Lake Geneva), March 29th-May 12th

OK so this festival does start in March but it runs through until May 12th – and April might be the best time to visit. 

The Fête de la Tulipe or Tulip Festival is an annual event held in the city of Morges every year featuring more than 140,000 flowers and around 350 varieties of tulips which you can admire while wandering around. 

This year’s theme is ‘Countries of the World’. The special programme features lots of events, including music and dance, a children’s theatre on Wednesday April 3rd plus guided tours. 

Zermatt Unplugged

Zermatt, Valais, April 9th-13th

This mountain resort may be known for winter sports, but it’s also worth visiting at other times of the year. 

And this music festival, featuring pared-back performances, is a great time to sample Zermatt’s vibrant scene in spring. 

Taking place from April 9th to 13th, you can watch artists, bands and DJs such as Ronny Scott’s All Stars and Jake the Rapper perform next to the unique mountain scenery – including the iconic Matterhorn. 

This year, the festival will showcase 120 concerts across 17 stages spread throughout the village and across the surrounding slopes.

READ ALSO: Eight music festivals in Switzerland you can’t miss this year

Sechseläuten

Zurich, starting April 12th

This four-day festival, which translates to the ‘the six o’clock ringing of the bells’, starts on Friday April 12th, leading up to the climax on Monday April 15th.

The highlight is the procession of the guilds to Sechseläutenplatz with the giant ‘Böögg’ (a snowman effigy that symbolises winter) burning at 6pm on Monday.

While not a public holiday, many businesses, offices, and banks close on Monday so that Zurich residents can celebrate this ancient spring festival.

READ ALSOHere’s why people in Zurich burn a huge snowman every April

International Exhibition of Inventions 

Geneva, April 17th-April 21st

If you’re looking to be inspired or you are in the world of innovative business, the International Exhibition of Inventions might just be the place for you. 

Featuring creations from 40 countries all over the world, this year there will be 1,000 new inventions and products by 800 exhibitors.

More than 30,000 visitors attend this event every year, including hundreds of journalists and entrepreneurs.

It’s taking place at the Grand Saconnex,Palexpo Halle 5 in Geneva and, at the same time, a Climate Fair will be held in the same venue. 

Solothurner Biertage

Solothurn, April 25th-27th

Neighbouring Germany is better known for beer, but that doesn’t mean that beer in Switzerland doesn’t taste great!

That’s right, beer fans should get down to Solothurn Beer Days festival to sample the good stuff. 

More than 50 Swiss breweries will come together for the event to present over 200 varieties of craft beer. 

Make sure you sample some of the great food on offer – including Swiss favourite raclette – to soak up the alcohol. 

A mug of beer on a beer garden table.

A mug of beer on a beer garden table. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels

Food Truck Festival 

Locarno, Ticino, April 26th-28th

Thanks to its location in Europe and diverse population, Switzerland is a great spot for delicious food.

And now there’s a place to sample some of it – you’ll find authentic snacks and delicacies at this food fest in Locarno.

Featuring trucks, caravans and ape cars coming from the north of the Alps as well as Italy, local ingredients are used for a variety of mouthwatering dishes and drinks. 

Make sure you’re hungry when you head to this event, which is free to enter and takes place on the Piazza Grande. 

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