Assume Easter is all egg hunts and chocolate bunnies? Assume once more. In Switzerland, Easter is not only for youngsters, and it’s additionally not simply one other extended weekend. Easter holds nice cultural significance and affords a mixture of traditions and fashionable festivities for everybody.
From century-old customs to contemporary actions, Easter in Switzerland has one thing for everybody – whether or not it’s cultural traditions, spring snowboarding, or household enjoyable.
Listed below are some concepts to profit from your prolonged weekend and totally embrace Easter in Switzerland.
Swiss Easter Blooms: For the Spring Lovers
Spring is right here with its colourful flowers and blooming timber. Zurich celebrates this season with beautiful floral shows that remodel public fountains into artworks. Go to early within the morning to keep away from crowds and luxuriate in a peaceable „Flower Fountain Hunt.“
Whilst you’re in Zurich, step into the foyer of The Dolder Grand lodge to marvel at its iconic 3.5-meter floral egg. This beautiful set up, crafted with roughly 13,000 carnations, has been a practice since 2009, mixing artwork and floristry in a spectacular show. This yr’s design options the phrase „FAITH,“ symbolizing hope and renewal, and showcases a vibrant colour palette that captures the spirit of Easter.
For extra spring magnificence, don’t miss the Tulip Competition in Morges, the place over 140,000 tulips bloom alongside Lake Geneva.
Actions Overview:
- Zurich Floral Fountains – April 12 to 21, 2025
- Tulip Competition Morges – April 12 to Might 5, 2025
- The Dolder Grand Floral Egg – From April 16, 2025
We Dare You to Strive These Easter Actions in Switzerland!
Do you suppose you’ve gotten what it takes to courageous the chilly waters of Lake Greifensee, swim 20 meters in 5°C to 13°C water, retrieve a blue Easter egg from the diving platform, and return it safely to shore? If that’s the case, this problem is for you. The Blaueierschwimmen (Blue Egg Swim) at Lake Greifensee has been a beloved custom since 2004, and it’s now an exciting Easter Monday occasion for all of the wild swimmers amongst you.
After conquering the chilly, heat egg soup, egg liquor, and the standard egg-smashing sport will likely be ready for you on shore in Niederuster. The occasion is about for Easter Monday at at 2 PM, however be sure you arrive by midday to register. Registration and participation are each freed from cost.
For extra land-based thrills, head to Bruno Weber Park on Easter Sunday at 11 AM for an egg hunt the place golden eggs carry particular prizes. Or discover the Baumwipfelpfad Neckertal for an elevated Easter egg hunt amongst treetop paths.
Actions Overview:
- Blaueierschwimmen at Lake Greifensee – April 21, 2025
- Bruno Weber Park Egg Hunt in Dietikon – April 20, 2025
- Baumwipfelpfad Neckertal Egg Hunt – April 20, 2025
Swiss Easter Chocolate For the Candy-Tooths
They are saying vacation energy don’t rely, and we’re fairly certain Procope Bean to Bar, a neighborhood chocolate roaster based mostly in Geneva, couldn’t agree extra to that. They invite chocolate lovers to roll up their sleeves and craft their very own Easter bunnies.
Underneath the steering of professional chocolatiers, you’ll study each step of crafting your customized Easter deal with: from cleansing the mildew and coloring the nostril and eyes, to making use of the 2 layers of chocolate, wrapping, and labeling the bunny-until you’re able to carry it house. Workshops run from April 18 to 21 and value CHF 60 per particular person.
For much more chocolate-themed enjoyable, head to the Lindt Residence of Chocolate in Kilchberg. Their CHOCOLATERIA affords 90-minute workshops the place you possibly can enhance your personal Easter bunny underneath the steering of Lindt Grasp Chocolatiers.
Actions Overview:
- Procope Bean to Bar Workshop in Geneva – April 18 to 21, 2025
- Lindt Residence of Chocolate Easter Workshop in Kilchberg
Household-Pleasant Easter Actions in Switzerland
The Naturama Museum is a must-visit for households, particularly for these searching for a enjoyable and interactive solution to spend the Easter holidays. This yr’s Easter theme at this Aarau museum is all about eggs, and there’s no scarcity of egg-citing actions to maintain the little ones entertained!
From a singular animal egg hunt to egg adorning, and even creating your personal egg candles, there’s one thing for each member of the family to take pleasure in. Children can attempt their hand at making felted eggs, watch reside chick hatching, or be a part of within the egg quiz to uncover hidden treasures and win a candy shock.
Convey the entire household and hop on an vintage steam practice to fulfill the Easter Bunny! On Easter Sunday, this tour will depart from the station at Zürich-Wiedikon at 10:44 AM to take you all the way in which to Sihlwald – and again.
Ready on the forest are an Easter egg hunt, different surprises, and a quest to seek out the golden egg… Included within the admission is a return ticket in addition to a shock present for the youngsters.
Purchase a ticket prematurely (ticketcorner.ch)
For extra out of doors enjoyable, discover Altendorf’s Osterweg Path by means of Might 4, the place youngsters observe a path with themed stations telling an illustrated Easter story. Whereas written in Germen, the 4-km path narrates a non-denominational Easter story. Or be a part of Mt. Rigi’s alpine egg hunt on Easter Sunday with 450 hidden eggs. As soon as discovered, alternate your egg for a Lindt Gold Bunny.
Actions Overview:
- Naturama Museum Actions in Aarau – April 18 to twenty, 2025
- Osterweg Altendorf – April 5 to Might 4, 2025
- Mt. Rigi Alpine Egg Hunt – April 20, 2025
Easter in Switzerland for Foodies
Nothing says Easter like a hearty brunch – minus doing the dishes.This yr, why not take pleasure in all of the Easter breakfast traditions, like egg smashing and a assorted unfold, with out lifting a finger within the kitchen?
As an alternative, take pleasure in a scrumptious Easter brunch buffet aboard a scenic cruise on Lake Zug. Whereas gliding previous the blooming surroundings, you and the one you love can take pleasure in a romantic Easter brunch, out there on each Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
For an additional occasion on the water, Basel affords brunch cruises on the Rhine from 11 AM to 4 PM. Take pleasure in a leisurely meal served on particular trays: sandwiches, scones, desserts… Whereas sipping on one of many many premium teas, you may glide previous the town’s historic skyline. Them as soon as you are feeling full, you possibly can step ashore to discover the Roman ruins at Augusta Raurica.
On Easter Sunday, cheese lovers will certainly benefit from the brunch at Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln that includes a curated cheese buffet. You’ll be able to pattern every part from creamy smooth cheeses to tangy aged varieties, all produced on-site or sourced from native dairies.
Actions Overview:
- Lake Zug Brunch Cruise – April 20 and 21, 2025
- Basel Rhine Brunch Cruise – April 18 to twenty, 2025
- Milchmanufaktur Cheese Brunch – April 20, 2025
Conventional Easter Video games in Switzerland
Some of the beloved and iconic Swiss Easter traditions is egg smashing, or just Eiertütschete. This sport, which dates again over a century, stays extensively practiced throughout Switzerland. The target is easy: break your opponent’s coloured, hard-boiled egg by smashing it with your personal with out cracking yours.
Whereas most households take pleasure in this enjoyable custom at house throughout Easter brunch, the individuals of Bern take it to the following degree. For a singular expertise, head to Kornhausplatz in Bern on Easter Sunday at 10 AM to witness or take part as individuals of all ages have interaction in severe egg-smashing competitors.
The winner retains the loser’s egg and continues battling by means of the group till there’s just one egg, and one winner, left.
However the egg enjoyable doesn’t cease there. On Easter Monday, Zurich hosts its personal model of the egg-fight custom. Head to Rüdenplatz at 10 AM with a pocketful of 20 Rappen cash and participate within the sport of Zwänzgerle.
On this model, kids maintain up coloured hard-boiled eggs whereas adults throw 20 Rappen cash (the Zwänzgerli) on the eggs. If the coin penetrates the shell and sticks, the grownup wins the egg. If not, the kid will get to maintain the coin – and the egg!
Touted as considered one of Switzerland’s largest Easter markets, the charming outdated city of Bremgarten has seen this custom go on for greater than 800 years. From 8 AM to six PM on Easter Monday, you possibly can anticipate greater than 400 retailers promoting their Easter themed crafts. Plus, there will likely be sights for the youngsters corresponding to a luna park.
Actions Overview:
- Eiertütschete Egg Smashing in Bern – April 20, 2025
- Zwänzgerle Coin Tossing Sport – April 21, 2025
- Bremgarten Easter Market – April 21, 2025
Easter on the Farm: Jucker Farmart
Prepared, set, go! The 2 farms by Jucker Farmart will likely be hiding eggs throughout this Easter. As soon as found, youngsters get to paint them at one of many egg portray stations… And whereas they’re at it, kids also can attempt their luck to win a prize in a particular contest by the rabbit enclosures. Merely rely the hidden eggs and enter the right quantity on an internet site.
At Bächlihof, kids can paint their very own Easter eggs: Friday, 12 to three PM, simply 5 francs with all supplies included.
Love adorning? Strive your hand on the Easter tree custom, the place plain branches remodel with colourful eggs and spring decorations. In spite of everything that exercise, do not miss their well-known „BuureZmorge“ farm breakfast – however e-book forward, as tables replenish sooner than a rabbit hops! It is an ideal mix of mud, meals, enjoyable, and Swiss custom that’ll have you ever forgetting about your cellphone for just a few hours.
Egg Races in Basel Communes on April 27
If you happen to’re nonetheless within the temper for extra egg-citing enjoyable, you have to witness an Eierläset. This custom dates again to the twelfth century and could be considered one of Switzerland’s quirkiest Easter happenings. Each Sunday following Easter, dozens of villages in Basel-Landschaft, Aargau, and Solothurn will host these energetic egg races, a customized that dates again centuries and celebrates the tip of winter and the arrival of spring.
Right here’s the way it works: Native sports activities golf equipment arrange two parallel tracks, every lined with 80 to 100 small mounds of sawdust, and nestle an egg in every pile. Two groups face off, one representing winter, the opposite spring.
Runners sprint to the farthest egg, seize it, and race again to toss it to their workforce’s catcher, who tries to catch it in an enormous basket crammed with chaff. If an egg drops, the runner should go once more, however can’t carry a brand new egg. Each tenth egg comes with a wacky problem – suppose stilts, wheelbarrows, or loopy bikes. The primary workforce to gather all their eggs wins, although, in true Swiss trend, the referees typically be sure that spring comes out on prime.
In some Aargau villages, the spectacle is even larger, with elaborate costumed figures just like the Schnäggehüsler (snail shell man), Stächpälmler (spiky palm man), or Pfarrer (the pastor) becoming a member of the enjoyable. These characters, aligned with winter or spring, add comedian skits and playful tussles to the occasion. After the race, everybody – opponents and spectators alike – shares a meal of scrambled eggs produced from the collected bounty!
Try this itemizing of Eierläset occasions in numerous communes
Insider tip: For races with costumes and comedian skits, head to Effingen, Wölflinswil, Oberhof, Wegenstetten, Auenstein in canton Aargau.
Bonus: Hit the Slopes in Saas-Charge
Not able to let go of the slopes simply but? Don’t fear! The Saas-Charge area retains the snowboarding season alive till April 27, providing you with the right alternative to profit from the prolonged weekend and squeeze in these final runs of the season.
And should you’re nonetheless desirous to get into the Easter spirit, Saas-Charge hosts a village-wide egg hunt on April 19 and 20.
Easter in Switzerland: Final Actions Information 2025 first appeared within the Newly Swissed On-line Journal
