Some of the many Switzerland festivals commemorate religious (and not-so-religious) holidays, patriotism, and music.

February: Mardi Gras or Fasnacht

Mardi Gras is not just for party animals in New Orleans or Rio. Switzerland knows how to celebrate in the days leading up to Lent. Costumed parades, brass bands, piccolo and drum competitions, a city aglow with dozens of lanterns and lots of street musicians keep the celebration colorful in Basel.

April: Sechseläuten (Zurich)

Literally ringing in the summer (and celebrating the sun-lit hours that workers now have after the workday is finished), the festivities of Sechseläuten, among them guild parades and balls, are accompanied by a blazing bonfire - the burning of Böögg, a snowman figure representing winter.

July: Music Festivals

Since 1967, the Montreux International Jazz Festival, one of the most famous music festivals in the world, has been held on the shores of Lake Geneva during the first 2 weeks of July. Jazz has always been an important element of the Montreux Festival, but lovers of blues, soul, rock and other music genres (Swiss alphorn, anyone?) will not be disappointed.

If you miss the alphorn at Montreux, the International Alphorn Festival in the canton of Valais is held later in July. Besides the melodies of the over-sized horn, festival goers can hear yodelers and bell ringers and see Swiss folk dancers.

August 1: Swiss National Day

Like their American counterparts on the 4th of the July or their French compatriots on Bastille Day (July 14), the Swiss celebrate their national holiday with fireworks and barbecues. Bonfires, reminiscent of a time when mountaintop fires were used to scare off invaders, also figure prominently in towns and villages all over the country. Even though the holiday has been recognized only since the late 1800s it commemorates the founding of the Swiss confederation some 600 years before.

November: Zibelemärit (Bern)

Who knew a whole festival could have been developed around the humble onion? Yet, this festival, in Switzerland's capital city, has done just that. Starting before dawn on the fourth Monday in November, the day offers all manner of onion produce from soup to sausages to pies. It officially ends with a confetti battle on the streets of town waged by local children. 

December: Christmas Markets

Christmas markets abound throughout German-speaking Europe and Switzerland is no exception. Visitors to Zurich's Christmas market can start shopping and eating (the fondue-like raclette is particularly good) before they even step outside the train station. In Geneva, the Escalade, celebrates a 17th century military victory over foreign invaders with bowls of vegetable soup! According to legend, the aggressors were turned back when a certain Mme Royaume poured hot soup down upon them.