Bauernmarkt und Alpabzug Urnäsch
Flower-garlanded cows and herders in traditional Appenzell dress descend into the village from 9am, accompanied by alphorns, yodelling and a farmers market with over 50 stalls of local cheese and alpine produce.
Cottages, B&Bs and hotels near Urnäsch, Appenzell.
Some stay links are affiliate links. More
Add the free Villagly badge to your own website. It shows visitors you are listed with us and links them straight back to this page.
Get the free badge →Event details come from organisers and can change. Please check with the organiser before you travel.
"Farmers from the Neuenalp and neighbouring alps lead fully decorated herds of cows and goats through Appenzell's Hauptgasse in an unscripted working tradition that has shaped the village calendar for generations."
Alpabfahrt Appenzell
"On Old New Year's Eve by the Julian calendar, elaborately costumed men bearing giant headdresses travel from house to house and farm to farm in Urnäsch ringing enormous cowbells to bring good fortune, keeping alive one of Switzerland's oldest and most distinctive winter-greeting customs."
Silvesterklausen
"On the Monday after Ash Wednesday, schoolboys and men haul a freshly felled fir trunk on a wheeled cart from village to village through Appenzell, accompanied by a costumed bear, bear-keeper, and hunter on horseback in a carnival procession dating back to the earliest years of Swiss settlement."
Buebebloch
"Every September since 2015, up to eight Simmental farming families lead flower-crowned herds through Gstaad's promenade every 30 minutes from 9:30 am, accompanied by Trychler cowbell clubs, yodellers, and a farmers' market of Saanenland specialities."
Gstaad Züglete
"Each September Saturday, herds from a different one of Mels's 26 alp farms descend into the village in full floral regalia, with market stalls selling alp and farm produce at the historic village square."
Alpabfahrten Mels
"The very first Federal Youth Yodelling Festival in Swiss history brings over 1,000 young yodellers, alphorn blowers and flag-wavers to the iconic mountain village of Grindelwald for three days of competitive performances and open-air folk tradition."
Eidgenössisches Jugendjodelfest 2026
"Around 600 festively decorated animals descend from five Brigels alps to the Plaun Rueun meadow in this Romansh-named cattle descent, the largest single-gathering Alpabzug in the Surselva."
Scargada - Alpabzug in Brigels
"The Hinterfeld Alpine Cooperative's 100 decorated cows descend to the Uri village of Wassen for a full day of alphorn music, open-air cheese dairy, craft market and folk dancing below the famous triple-spired church."
Alpabzug Wassen
"For nearly 300 years in the Justistal above Lake Thun, farmers have gathered at the Spycherberg to divide the summer's alpine cheese by a centuries-old ritual before driving their decorated cattle back down to Sigriswil."
Chästeilet im Justistal