Every year on the last weekend of September, Neuchâtel hosts the Grape Harvest Festival – the famous Wine festival (Neuchâtel / Neuchatel Harvest Festival Festival). Three days – from Friday to Sunday – cafes, bars, street wine stands and music bands bring the old town to life and make life more fun and festive.
But in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, festival events have been canceled.
It is known that growing grapes on the mountain slopes began in Neuchâtel more than ten centuries ago. And it is not surprising that the grape harvest is celebrated with such a colorful and noisy festival.
This holiday, which can be called the hallmark of Switzerland, dates back to 1902. This celebration gathers about 150 thousand people annually. The festival program includes walks in the vineyards and wine tasting.
In addition, entertainment for all tastes is offered: fairground rides for thrill-seekers, confetti battles for those who know how to keep their mouths shut. Local amateur brass bands play “guggen music”.
Saturday afternoon spectators admire the solemn children’s costume procession, the parade of the best European brass bands, the flower procession.
The culmination of the festival is big parade on Sunday afternoon. Countless carnival boats decorated with flowers move through the streets of the city. All are united by a common theme – gratitude to the harvest.