January Light Festival Murten
In 2013, Murten Tourism developed a strategy to create a new identity for the winter season. With this goal in mind, the festival team from Murten Tourism travelled to Lyon in 2014 to visit the famous "Fête des Lumières" there. Full of conviction, nothing now stood in the way of financing a light festival in Murten in 2015. The very first edition of the festival was put together in just four months and since 2016 the festival has taken place every January in Murten, to the delight of young and old alike.
Eating Treberwurst from January to March
Treberwurst is regarded as a real speciality of the Bielersee wine-growing region.
In the past, the wine growers at Bielersee used to prune their vines in the winter months. The Bise blew so strongly that everyone was frozen through to the bone. The only warm place was the schnaps distillery. During the break, it served as a meeting place for the vine growers. One of them had the idea of warming the break sausage in the still, in which the Marc was distilled. And just like that, Treberwurst was born…
March Carnival Murten
Carnival in Murten takes place annually on the first weekend in March. Deeply rooted in the local population, the carnival has become an important social and economic occasion for the whole Murtensee region and is appreciated throughout Switzerland.
From every age group and social background, over 400 active carnival participants and countless helpers have now grown together into a large family. The comradeship, the joy of creative work, whether in bringing the new music arrangements to life, building the themed floats or composing the Schnitzelbank verses, are the key to the success of the Murten carnival!
April SlowUp Murtensee
Over almost 33 kilometres, the oldest slowUp follows the shores of Lake Murten and passes through various symbolic places in the region. The route takes you through the Roman town of Avenches as well as the Vully and its vineyards. You will also discover the Grosse Moos with its varied vegetable cultivation before reaching the charming lakeside promenade of Murten. Two regional specialities provide culinary enjoyment along the route: the Vully cake and the Murten Nidel cake.
June Solemnity
The Murtner Solennität, a living tradition
Like many other places, Murten ends the school year before the summer holidays with a festival for young people. The celebration, which is referred to here as «Solennität», combines the school festival with a commemorative event for the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, in the final phase of the Burgundian Wars. The Solennität is an important occasion for the town of Murten, which is why 22 June was declared a public holiday. Organisation is largely delegated to the primary school and orientation school in their German and French sections.
June Historic Murten Shooting
In remembrance of the Battle of Murten, the «Historical Murten Shooting» has been held since 1930. The event takes place on the «Bodemünzi (Bois-Domingue)», a hill near Murten, where in June 1476 the camp of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold and the centre of his siege deployment were located. The participating groups, each consisting of ten marksmen, meet in the morning at the school building in front of the Berntor and march as a procession – led by the city band – through the decorated town to the Bodemünzi, 1.5 km away, from whose summit a firing line towards the south has been set up on the ground of the municipality of Münchenwiler.
July to August Open Airs in Murten
July to August Murtener Open-Air Cinema
Experience a cosy evening at the cinema in front of the town walls.
August Murten-Classics
Since 1989, the picturesque little town of Murten has hosted the Murten Classics summer festival, dedicated to the classical concert repertoire.
September Wine Festival Vully
The Winzerfest is celebrated in the heart of the wine-growing village of Praz.
Every year, various concerts as well as entertainment and two processions are offered to celebrate the grape harvest.
October Murtenlauf
In 1476, the Swiss Confederates won a brilliant victory over Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy at Murten. Thus the canton of Freiburg was born and the national spirit was strengthened. Anyone running the 17.17 km between Murten and Freiburg will remember this piece of history and take part in a traditional run in a unique festive atmosphere.
November Martins Market
Every year on the first Wednesday in November, the «Stedtli» in Murten is transformed into the traditional Martinsmarkt. The alleys smell of onion tart, hot chestnuts and raclette. Numerous stalls selling clothes, toys, food, traditional goods and much more line up at the Martinsmarkt. A carousel in front of the Berntor provides entertainment for the little ones.
November Truffle Market Murten
The truffle market in Murten has become an unmissable event in the truffle world of Switzerland in recent years. The two-day truffle market in Murten welcomes you in the Rathausgasse in the heart of the old town. With more than 20 exhibitors, you can buy the raw truffle product here, as well as truffle products such as pasta, risotto or various spices.
November to February Murten on Ice
The ice rink with heart. Murten on Ice is not just an ice rink, it is a meeting place between generations, between locals and visitors, between athletes and those who enjoy life.
December Murtner Christmas Market
Beautifully decorated wooden chalets and a sea of lights from lamps and candles whisk you away from everyday life. Tasty regional Christmas specialities and lovingly crafted artisanal products set the mood for the festive days ahead. A visit becomes an unforgettable experience for your whole family.