December events not to miss in Switzerland
December is more than just a month dedicated to Chrismas Markets. But not only. The Christmas spirit is all around, but you can visit many more exciting events. Plenty of events around Switzerland celebrating other occasions. And even those dedicated to the Advent season still worthed to be seen. So start making your plans, as there are a lot of events worth visiting during December.
Geneva
L’Escalade – December 8th -10th
A torchlight parade with period costumes L’Escalade or Fête de L’Escala is an annual festival celebrated in Geneve each December in memory of the Duke of Savoy’s failed attempt to conquer the Protestant city by surprise on the night of December 11, 1602.
Legend has it that this was possible thanks to citizens’ many individual acts of bravery, notably by a cook la Mère Royaume, who dumped boiling vegetable soup on the invaders before raising the alarm. Geneva’s Old Town provides the best view of fife-and-drum parades. Torch-lit marches and brigades on horses interspersed with Christmas markets are around the city. This year the Festival is happening at the first month’s weekend of December 8 to 10th, 2023.
The German part of Switzerland and Fribourg
The feast day for St. Nicholas is observed on December 6, mainly in German-speaking areas. A red-cloaked figure with a woolly white beard, known as Samichlaus in Swiss German, is paying a visit to children on this day, bringing them sacks filled with mandarins, nuts, chocolates, cookies and gingerbread, along with a piece of sage advice.
The tradition goes back to the 4th-century Saint Nicholas, who was the Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra in present-day Turkey, the protector of children, among others. That is why Samichlaus is often dressed as a bishop with a mitre and staff and doesn’t always wear red. However, today’s Samichlaus is wearing a red hood over his head rather than the traditional mitre.
St. Nicholas celebration is very much present in the French-speaking part, particularly in the Catholic cantons. For example, in bilingual Fribourg, whose patron saint is St. Nicholas, a unique procession event attracts up to 30,000 people. This event is hugely popular and eagerly anticipated by its residents and friends.
Zurich
Also, a hot spot for winter entertainment on ice is Dolder Sports in Zurich. Make sure your boots are comfy because Europe’s largest outdoor ice rink offers 6,000 square metres of super-chilled action. The Skating ring was built in 1930 and hosted an Ice Hockey World Championship. Nowadays is an excellent place for learning different winter activities and hobbies. This frosty world offers enthusiasts curling and snow sculpture lessons and, afterwards, warm up with fondue in the igloo-style tent.
Musical Advent Calendar from Zurich Opera
In the Zurich Opera House foyer, you can also look forward to our Musical Advent Calendar. Daily concerts will occur at 5.30 pm between the 1st and 23rd of December. The accessible entrance to the short 15-minute concerts will make the Christmas season more beautiful. In addition, a unique program has been developed by Philharmonia Zurich’s musicians and singers from Opernhaus and International Opera Studio. So, let the Christmas hustle end music as you stop by for a brief break. The short concert programs are available each day on their website.
Don’t miss the Illuminarium, open from the end of November till December 30, 2022, one of the most lively, remarkable places featuring a few events during the Advent period in Zurich.
We can not get enough of those colourful, happy and festive events.
We want to remind you to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks. In every little village or a bigger city, after midnight on January 1, the sky turns into the most beautiful rainbow of colours, shapes and stars, sparking for a few minutes.
Visit our Media part and get familiar with lot more happenings near you!
Photo by Guneet Jassal on Unsplash
