Updated for 2020
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Turnip Parade or Rabeliechtli in Richterswil
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Unfortunately Due to Covid this event is not taking place in 2020
Photos courtesy of Zurich.com Springer-Foto
Rabeliechtli Turnip Parade Every 2nd Saturday in November
Usually, every second Saturday in November there is a wonderful festival in Richterswil featuring carved out turnips with candles. Dating back to the 1920s this has become a very special celebration attracting over a thousand people to this Swiss town on the shores of Lake Zurich.
Largest Lit Turnip Procession in Europe
Sadly because of Covid it is not taking place. Hopefully it will be back for 2021 (it is planned for 13th November) as it is quite a striking event. It is known for being the biggest “lit turnip procession in Europe”, and is certainly truly spectacular with all the little turnips twinkling like hundred of tiny stars. Normally there are over 10’000 carved turnips in the town and when the lights are turned off the village looks like something out of a fairytale.
The turnips portray houses, people, animals and objects and many people also decorate he facades of their houses with lights too. There are plenty of hot snacks and refreshments too.
The Churchgoers of Richterswilerberg
At the head of the procession is a group of women dressed in black, representing “the churchgoers of Richterswilerberg”. According to tradition they lit the way to the the village church in this fashion and nowadays every November the procession is re-enacted.
The Usual Rabeliechtli Turnip Parade Program Lasts from 3pm to 8pm:
- from 3 pm Marketstalls sell their wares
- from 4 pm Concerts at Wisshusplatz and in Poststrasse
- from 4 pm Food and drink at Wisshusplatz
- At 5pm, 6pm and 8.30 pm the illuminated fountain takes centre stage
- 6.25 pm At dusk all the lights in the centre of the vilage are turned off
- 6.30 pm The Räbeliechtli-Umzug (procession) begins for about one hour
8.00 pm End of the Umzug and the lights go back on
The festival itself is free but you are required to buy badges for CHF 8 or Pins for CHF 15 to support the event once you arrive.
Rabeliechtli Turnip Parade 13th November 2021
The next Turnip Parade is planned for 13th November 2021 – so do mark your diaries and let’s hope we can all go along!
For more information on the Turnip Parade click here.
If you are carving your own “Räbli” at home, don’t forget to put it in water until it is needed so that it doesn’t end up all dried up and wrinkly!
Illuminated Pumpkin Event Rudolfingen
The pumpkin event at Rudolfingen was also cancelled for this year, but please take a look at some photos from a previous event below.
All pumpkin photos were taken by Carmen Sirboiu at the Rudolfingen festival.
The top 3 photos of the Richterswil turnip parade are courtesy of Zurich.com Springer-Foto
Article updated October 2020
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2 comments
thank you yet again! I have tried to find detailed info about this in the past (eg exact location, times etc) and failed. This is brilliant – hope my kids are not too old for it now!
So glad this is useful and I hope you and your kids enjoy. Should be a great event!