Laupen, BE: pain rings
When you, as a visitor, follow the traditional Achetringele on New Year’s Eve in Laupen for the first time in your life, you will feel nauseous. As the church strikes eight o’clock, a monstrous procession led by children dressed in wooden masks and skins sets off from the castle through the town streets. The Gsellens carry long brooms of juniper on their shoulders, as if they really want to wipe the old year once again. They are followed by the white-robed “Shadows” who make good corn with cow bells. At Bärenplatz and Läubliplatz, the broom-makers form a large circle, listen to the leader’s New Year’s Eve speech, and then lower their brooms over the heads of the audience in a strange tradition of blessing. The after-night of the tradition is long, with so many reasons to celebrate. More information can be found here.
Lausanne, VD: Quiet party around the illuminated cathedral
Everyone’s own New Year’s Eve party: that’s the motto of the Bô Christmas celebrations in Lausanne. One of the rare silent parties is taking place again this year in the center of Vaud. The concept is simple: each visitor receives three-channel wireless super headphones and can choose at any time which of the three DJs they want to listen to and which beats they want to dance to. For the viewer, everything looks very funny from the outside: a dancing group with no audible sound. But when you put on the earphones, you’ll be in the party mood in no time. If you prefer less upbeat music, we recommend the organ concert in the cathedral. The beautiful structure is immediately illuminated at midnight to celebrate the New Year. There is more information here.
Monastery, GR: Lucky Column Hotschrenn
To put it bluntly, the Hotsch race in Klosters is more of a New Year’s tradition than a New Year’s tradition. But let’s ignore it and add the traditional Glückssäuli breed (they call it Hotschrennen here) to the famous list. Because: New Year’s Eve celebrations in the mountains of Graubünden are already wonderful. However, in order to participate in the Hotsch race at Klosters Platz station in a sober manner, you must be up until 15:00 the next day at the latest. The ten running pillars are applauded by hundreds of happy people and – so they say – bringing good luck to all present in the new year. More information here.
Rheinfelden, AG: fountain song
The old New Year’s tradition of singing at the fountain in Rheinfelden dates back to 1541. At that time, the desperate people of Rheinfeld tried to drive away the plague that had ravaged the country with their holy Christmas carols. The plague is long gone, but the old tradition has remained to this day. On 31/12, Twelve black-clad figures pass through the old city and stand by the fountain to sing the Christmas carol “The night is so merry”. After the traditional parade, there will be a New Year’s organ concert. There is no more thoughtful way to start the new year. More information here.
Gallen, SG: Torch guided tour in Mülenen Gorge
Ending the year with an atmospheric walk? Why not. Exercise and fresh air are good, and your heart begins to open when you dive into the wild and romantic Mülenen Gorge with your torch. Professional city guides tell fascinating stories about old New Year’s traditions and anecdotes from the city’s history. After the tour, punch and mulled wine await you on three linden trees. It starts at 17:00 (registration required, see below). Meeting point: Tourist Information, Bankgasse 9. More information here.
Bergen, GR: Chant da Goita
Finally a nice tradition: Chant da Goita. Singing on New Year’s Eve has a long tradition in many Graubünden communities. For example, in Bergün, residents of Graubünden and homesick people have been meeting for over 100 years in Oberdorf on New Year’s Eve at 10 pm. Until just before midnight, those who like to sing will sing old Roman and German New Year’s songs under lit lanterns in 17 different venues. Highlights shortly before midnight: “Ün mumaint e l’ura batta”, the song “Only a few seconds left”. After that, the New Year’s drink was truly earned. Here you can find all the information.
Appenzellerland: Silvesterchlausen
Urnäsch, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, New Year’s Eve, before sunrise. Five figures slither through the snow in the dark. Its outlines look odd, misshapen, and overly large. They dash, circle, jump, shortly before a farmhouse. The ringing of the bells breaks the silence. Neighborhood residents gather around the strange group. The bells go silent and the ghostly figures begin to sing soothingly and harmoniously. Five figures can be seen in the light of the courtyard lamp.
The two of them wear women’s clothing and women’s masks with flowers in their mouths, hung by a frame with 12 small bells. On their heads is a monstrous crown-like hat with wooden figures depicting farming scenes. The other three journeymen have a large bell on their stomachs and backs, a bearded mask, and also one of those artistic hats that took weeks to make by hand. So they wander from farm to farm and wish the residents a good year. Or do they drive away evil spirits that can do harm?
In addition to the beautiful Chläusen, there is the Wueschten: with fir green antlers and a grotesque mask, they seem like ominous messengers from the depths of the forest. On New Year’s Eve, Appenzellerland resonates in many places with the name of the bands, with many Schuppels ringing and singing. An atmosphere that is mystical, thoughtful and happy at the same time, making you think of the past year. And about the future. What will 2019 bring? Oh, it doesn’t matter: the day in the bar ends cheerfully – and in these moments life is already beautiful.
More information about New Year’s events is here.