Colors of Neuchatel - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Neuchatel became known to many travelers not only for its original historical monuments but also thanks to beautiful holidays and festivals that take place here every year. In February, they hold a traditional jazz festival, which is one of the largest events of its kind in Switzerland. Apart from music concerts involving performers from all over the world, the festival program is full of other entertainments. One of the most spectacular events are the parades of jazz orchestras passing through the main streets.

Gastronomic entertainment and tastings of the best regional wines and delicacies await visitors too. On the central squares of Neuchâtel, they organize fairs where you can buy interesting souvenirs and handicrafts, as well as premium local foods. The tradition of holding a jazz festival originated a few years ago. It is early years, it was a modest event aimed at uniting fans of jazz music.

Over the years, the festival program has expanded significantly and is now not limited to musical performances alone. Its main attributes are colorful parades and processions that take place almost every day during the festival. The festival opens with the Grand Parade, in which all guests of the festival take part. A few days later they organize a children's costume parade, and one of the most fantastic is the flower carnival. For the period of the festival, Neuchâtel changes beyond recognition. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Travelers visiting the city at the end of September will have a chance to participate in another interesting holiday - the Fete des Vendanges. For local residents, this wine festival is one of the main historical traditions. It is timed to grape harvesting and is usually held the last weekend of September. The main part of the festival’s entertainment programs takes place in the historic district. Here, right in the city streets, they organize music performances, street shows, colorful fairs, and wine tastings.

Winemaking traditions have been an essential component of the culture for over a thousand years. The very first vineyards were founded in the territory of the present city back in the 9th century, so rare varieties of grapes are grown here to this day. On the outskirts of the city, there are ancient wineries, which have long acquired the status of popular attractions. The townspeople organized their first grape harvest festival in 1902, and even at that time, street entertainment was an essential attribute of the holiday.

For more than a hundred years of its existence, the festival has become so popular that at least 150,000 people visit it in recent years. During the festival, tastings are held for its guests every day - they can try not only the best regional wines but also special local delicacies. Still, everyone can stroll through the most beautiful vineyards and visit other iconic places associated with winemaking traditions. Neuchâtel's wine festival attracts not only curious tourists but also professional sommeliers, as well as other experts in the field of wine production.

Fans of modern music would probably be interested in visiting the city in June when it hosts the Festi’neuch - Neuchâtel openair festival. It is held in the vicinity of the city at open-air concert venues. The Contemporary Music Festival was first organized in 2001, and now the number of its regular participants exceeds 40,000 people. The event takes place in an incredibly beautiful natural area. Besides huge stages, they also set up playgrounds and recreation areas for visitors. The festival is attended by many local and traveling families, so playgrounds with rides for the youngest guests are available too.

The largest open-air stage, which is set up on the lake, is designed for 3,500 spectators. The main stage, however, is always indoor and equipped in the manner of a huge tent, which can accommodate up to 10,000 spectators at a time. During the festival, entertainment programs take place almost around the clock. Most of the concerts are held in the daytime, and when darkness falls, comes the time for vibrant open-air parties, which last until the morning. The festival is participated by musicians performing in various styles of music, so it'd be interesting to visit it for absolutely everyone.