Switzerland’s Hidden Traditions

Swiss Cultural Treasures Beyond the Usual Clichés

Reading Time:    4 Min.
Publication:        December 09, 2025, Jessy Thür

When you think of Swiss traditions, many people immediately think of alphorn players, yodeling, and cheese fondue. But Switzerland has many more cultural treasures, many of which are little known outside their regions. These traditions tell stories about rural communities, ancient customs, and the diversity of Switzerland.

Chalandamarz – Driving out winter (Grisons)

Every year on March 1, a particularly lively tradition is celebrated in the Romansh-speaking part of Graubünden: Chalandamarz. Young men – and nowadays often girls too – parade through the villages in traditional costumes, symbolically driving out winter with loud cowbells, whips, and songs.

The aim is to drive away evil spirits and the cold to make way for spring. The custom is closely linked to the lives of farmers, who depend on good weather and a successful alpine season.

Sennenchilbi – The Alpine farmers' autumn festival

The Sennenchilbi, one of Switzerland's oldest Alpine festivals, has been celebrated by Alpine farmers for centuries. The festival traditionally marks the end of the Alpine summer, when people and livestock return from the high Alps to the valley.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Sennenchilbi was primarily an occasion for mountain farmers to celebrate their hard work on the alpine pastures: cheese making, milking, herding animals, and living in the remote mountain world. The homecoming was celebrated with festive parades, dancing, music and, depending on the region, competitions such as stone throwing or coin tossing.

Silvesterklausen – Masked lucky charms in Appenzell

Silvesterklausen in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, especially in Urnäsch, is one of Switzerland's most impressive winter customs – yet it is little known outside the region.
On December 31 and January 13, “Schöne, Schö-Wüeschte, and Wüeschte” go from house to house dressed in elaborate costumes.

They wear handmade hoods, carved masks, or suede costumes and wish everyone a happy new year with a polyphonic “Zäuerli” (yodel). The elaborate production of the costumes often takes several hundred hours and is itself a form of living folk art.

Blochfahren – A wandering tree on wheels (Appenzell and Toggenburg)

During Blochfahren, a huge tree trunk – the “Bloch” – is pulled through the village. This custom takes place every three or four years in places such as Urnäsch, Schwellbrunn, and Toggenburg.

The tradition dates back to the lumberjacks: the “stolen” tree is said to symbolize that no work could be done in winter – a humorous dig at idleness during the cold season.
At the end, the Bloch is auctioned off, and the proceeds usually go to local clubs or festivals.

Les Brandons – The spring fire of French-speaking Switzerland

The Brandons festival takes place in many places in western Switzerland, often in February or March. A straw doll is symbolically burned – similar to the Böögg tradition in Zurich, but far less well known.

The origin dates back to the Middle Ages and is a pagan fertility and purification custom. Today, the festival is a colorful spectacle with masks, children in costumes, and regional specialties.

Cowbell ringing in Central Switzerland – nocturnal sounds to ward off the darkness

During Advent, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and New Year's Eve, cowbell ringers parade through the villages. They carry heavy cowbells and ring them rhythmically to drive away winter and evil spirits.

Depending on the region – for example, in the cantons of Schwyz or Obwalden – the rhythm, clothing, and meaning differ slightly. For many locals, cowbell ringing marks the transition to the contemplative winter.

Switzerland has much more to offer than just alphorns and cheese fondue. From colorful parades and masked New Year's customs to old farmers' festivals, regional traditions are lively, surprising, and full of stories. If you're curious and want to find out more about local festivals, events, or insider tips in Switzerland, you can easily find the information you need at yellowpages.swiss.

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