New Year’s Day in Switzerland ― Date, History, and Details
New Year’s Day in Switzerland may be something you want to learn more about, and we want to help with that.
Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Day in Switzerland and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of New Year’s Day in Switzerland and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
New Year’s Day is the first day of the year, and in Switzerland it is celebrated with a number of different traditions. One of the most popular is the dropping of a large ball from the top of the Zurich Fraumünster church tower at midnight. This tradition is said to date back to the Middle Ages, when the ball was used to signal the start of the New Year.
Another popular tradition is the lighting of bonfires on December 31st. These bonfires are called “Sylvesterchlausen” and are meant to drive away evil spirits. In some parts of Switzerland, people also dress up as old-fashioned characters and go from house to house singing traditional songs.
New Year’s Eve is also a time for parties and celebrations, and many people stay up until midnight to watch the fireworks that are set off in towns and cities across the country.