Autumn Festivals in Switzerland: What to Visit in 2026

Grapes, cheese, pumpkins, onions, delicious traditional dishes and unusual local specialties — this is how different parts of Switzerland celebrate the end of the season in autumn. It’s a great opportunity to discover local traditions, food and flavours.

Here are a few events worth adding to your autumn plans.

Wine Festivals

The grape harvest in Switzerland runs from mid-September to October. During this time, wine-growing regions across the country celebrate with traditional festivals. In Russin, near Geneva, local wine producers open their cellars to visitors, while a parade with decorated floats and musicians makes its way through the streets. In Lutry, among the Lavaux vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva, the celebrations take place throughout the old town and along the waterfront.

📍 Russin, Geneva — 19–20 September

📍 Lutry, Vaud — 25–27 September

Cheese Festivals

In autumn, fresh cheeses from the new season are brought down from the Alpine pastures. It’s the perfect time for local fairs and tastings. In Lucerne, the Käsefest will take place at Kapellplatz on 17 October, bringing together cheesemakers from different parts of Switzerland. In Charmey, in the canton of Fribourg, cheese-making traditions are part of the Désalpe. Local producers open their dairies as the herds return from the Alps.

📍 Charmey, Fribourg — 26 September

📍 Lucerne — 17 October

Pumpkin Festivals

Pumpkins also play a starring role in autumn. In Corsier, you can see hundreds of pumpkin varieties, taste local wines and pumpkin soup. Near Zurich, the Juckerhof and Bächlihof farms are transformed into large themed spaces filled with impressive pumpkin displays.

📍 Bächlihof, Jona — 12 September–1 November

📍 Juckerhof, Seegräben, near Zurich — 19 September–25 October

📍 Corsier, Vaud — 4 October

Zibelemärit — The Bern Onion Market

Every year, on the fourth Monday of November, before dawn the centre of Bern fills up with farmers and their traditional braids of onions. The Zibelemärit dates back to the 15th century. Today, dozens of tonnes of onions are sold, traditional onion pies known as Zibelechueche are baked, and the famous confetti battles take place throughout the city. The market starts at around 4 a.m., so this is definitely a celebration for early birds! 

📍 Bern — 23 November