Fun and festivities in Switzerland - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

There is an incredible number of holidays in Switzerland. Festivals and events held in each canton are added to the nationwide ones. The Swiss National Day on July 31 is celebrated all around the country. According to a legend, on this day in the 13th century, representatives of the three cantons made the first alliance to protect themselves from invaders. Today, the holiday symbolizes the unity of the lands belonging to the confederation. It's customary to decorate houses with flags on this day. The president of the country is giving a solemn speech on the glade, where the first union was concluded. Christmas is another holiday that is celebrated in all cantons. On this day, the spruce is necessarily adorned. Toys are often made by the Swiss themselves. Christmas spruce wreaths are hung up, and a festive dinner is cooked.

A large number of festivals take place in Switzerland every year. In Zurich, on the second Saturday of August, the famous musical Street Parade is held. That's a bright costumed procession. In November, you can also visit the Expovina Wine Fair. Wine festivals are also held in the town of Mendrisio in late September in honor of harvesting grapes. Another wine festival is held in Geneva; it takes place in the spring, in early May. Besides that, it will also be interesting to visit the Bol d'Or sailing regatta. That's the world's largest regatta  at enclosed water bodies. It's so exciting and spectacular that organizers even arrange online broadcasts for those who can not attend it personally.

The Jazz Festival takes place every year at the Lake Geneva in Montreux. The best musicians from all over the world come there. Venues for performances are open all around the city, including squares and parks. You can enjoy fantastic sounds of jazz music in restaurants and bars. Those who wish, can not only listen, but also take a few master classes from eminent performers. Fans of classical music will like the festival in Verbier. Against the backdrop of a delightful alpine nature, the best bands perform here and represent masterpieces of world classics to the public. Musicians come from all over the world. Venues for performances are arranged throughout the city, so there are places for all comers. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Traditionally, there is a huge number of various carnivals in Switzerland. The carnival in Lucerne takes place in the last days before the Great Lent. The festival is held with an unprecedented scale. Almost the entire population of the city wears festive costumes. The carnival of musical groups takes place on the first day of the festivals; then come children's processions and the parade of monsters. The carnival ends with a festive fireworks. After that, an equally spectacular carnival in Bern begins. It begins with attempts to wake a sleeping bear, which is the symbol of this city. Trumps and drums are played everywhere in the city. The bear leaves the Prison Tower, and the real fun begins. The next day festivities for children are arranged.

A lot of amazing holidays are held at ski resorts. In Grindelwald, the World Snow Festival takes place every January. During the holiday, artists and sculptors masterfully create works of art of snow. In St. Moritz, you can visit the exhibition of antique sports cars. Fans of these races can go to Formula 1; one of the stages is set on the tracks in Campioni. It's worth to visit the international film festival in Locarno; it is one of the most prestigious in the world. Every year, the outstanding representatives of the world of cinematography come to the city.