May 22, 2023

SWITZERLAND: Entlebucher Alpabfahrt – the annual Swiss Festival

Second day in Switzerland, we woke up early and departed to Schüpfheim for this very special festival…

For full itinerary, check out 11D10N Switzerland: The Magical Fairy Tale Land

Entlebucher Alpabfahrt

We were considered very very very lucky to have bumped into this special festival during our trip. Entlebucher Alpabfahrt is a Swiss festival which happens annually. It is usually takes place in the end of September or early October.

On this day, the alpine families returned to the valley with their animals. After spending the good sweet time high up at the mountains during summer, it is time for the animals to descent down to their winter barns for the cold winter.

If I am not mistaken, the festival was on a pause for two years due to COVID and it was back on track last year, took place on 24 September 2022.

It was a drizzling day; we were there before the starting time of the festival. We took our own sweet time to stroll along the street, checking out what’s on the street. There were stalls set up on both sides of the streets, selling local produces such as cheese made from the Alps around, handicraft, delicious street food like bratwurst, beer, raclette, cheese slices, alcoholic coffee and many more.

We tried on the bratwurst and beer. Why is their Bratwurst and the bread taste so good! The mini baguette may looks hard, but it was so fluffy in the center. Super delicious!

Men and women dressed up in their traditional costumes; they danced and cheered. It was a very happening festival with music playing in the air. There were people in traditional costumes walking around selling the festival’s souvenirs pin too.

Crowds took up their perfect space for the parade. They were all well prepared, came with personal chairs, waited patiently under the rain.

Here came the important tractor, which means the parade was gonna start soon.

Then, the alpine people and animals’ parade! Animals such as cows and sheep were festively decorated with Treicheln (cow bells) and crowned with flowers. They ran a few rounds so that people get to observe and take photos of this special festival!