12 Bernese Highlights in August

Helvetia is celebrating her 733^rd birthday – and as always, she’s doing it in style. On August 1^st, there will be a huge celebration on Parliament Square, complete with garden party, concerts, family activities, and open doors. There are also a few longstanding items back on the agenda, such as the free guided city tours with our Bern pros. The spots are very sought-after, so make sure you register at the “Tourist Information on the Road” as soon as possible. And then bridge the wait by treating yourself to a soft ice cream and some good music – for example by “Another Me”.

On August 3^rd, thousands of people will be parading through Bern’s city centre, decked out with rainbow flags, extravagant outfits and colourful signs – in line with the motto of this year’s Pride: “Bunt. Laut. Bern.” – colourful, loud, Bern. The protest serves to take a stand for the rights of queer people and peacefully encourages everyone to break with old patterns and traditions. It is followed by a vibrant celebration on Parliament Square with different speeches on queer matters, sparkling drag shows, and dancing the night away to the music of Veronica Fusaro, DJ Anouk Amok and more.

Looking for some peace and quiet amid the celebrations and general hustle and bustle? We recommend visiting one of Bern’s many museums. This pays off double in August: Firstly, instead of an arduous journey to the hot south, the various exhibitions offer an exciting journey to the past (and it’s nice and cool inside). Secondly, admission to 14 museums in Bern is free on Saturdays in August thanks to the “Gratis ins Museum" (visit the museum for free) special offer. So why not go and see the exhibition "And then came Bronze!" at the Bernisches Historisches Museum and then enjoy a matcha iced tea in the museum park’s bar afterwards?

Where is the ideal meeting point in Bern? The classic choices for the natives are the famous “LOEB-Eggä” (corner of the LOEB department store) – and the Zytglogge (Clock Tower). We’ve lost track of how many times we’ve passed underneath the historic landmark without paying attention to the masterpiece of engineering that it actually is. The intricate clockwork and Bern’s exciting history from its foundation in 1191 to the present day are now honoured and presented in “Bern’s Window of Time”, adjacent to the Zytglogge. The best thing about it? The interesting information about the astrolabe and the Zytglogge is now finally accessible to people with limited mobility, as there is no need to climb the steep stairs of the tower.

When troubadours, oversize camels and dance crews take over the streets and alleys of Bern’s Unesco-listed Old City, it can only mean one thing: the street performance festival Buskers is finally back in the federal city! From August 8 to 10, artists from all over the world will have everyone dancing, swaying, clapping, ooh-ing and aah-ing. The wonderful thing about Buskers is that even if you’ve been a million times, there is always something new to discover. That’s why, despite the event being free, it’s worth buying a “Bändeli” (wristband) and a printed version of the programme booklet so you don’t miss any of your favourites! By the way: The wristbands can be purchased ahead of time at the Tourist Information in Bern’s main station.

So many of our favourite items were discovered at one of the many flea markets in and around Bern. Scavenging for gems is fun, and you’re saving money and also helping the environment by giving pre-owned clothes and other items a new life. A special kind of flea market will take place on 10 August at Lake Egelsee: the association Verein am See is organizing a “Abendflohmi” (evening flea market) between 6 and 10 p.m. To ensure the visitors’ physical wellbeing, the pretty Caffè Bar Riva will be serving snacks and refreshments – stop by for a tasty charcuterie board, a good glass of wine, or a refreshing lemonade.

Grab your loved ones and some popcorn and get cosy on your picnic blanket – the iconic Kino im Kocher is back! Going to the charming open-air cinema has become a tradition. As its name suggests, it’s usually set in Kocherpark, but there is renovation work done there this year, so the museum district is stepping in to host the event and welcome movie aficionados. In addition to the classic cinema snacks, you’ll also find delicious Asian food. Admission to the movies is free, donations are welcome. Pack your picnic basket and reserve a spot!

When talking about Swiss traditions, there’s no way of getting around Schwingen (Swiss wrestling). The confederation’s national sport has strong roots in the canton of Bern, and there are several Schwingen events taking place in the region in the month of August. The Oberaargauisches Schwingfest kicks things off on 1 August. Only two days later, the “Böse” will face off at the Emmentalisches Schwingfest (who are the “Böse”, you ask? Find out by clicking the link!). But there’s not much time to brush off the sawdust, as another highlight follows on 11 August, when the cantonal champion is crowned at the Bernisch-Kantonales Schwingfest. Tickets for the latter are already sold out. There are still a few left for the competitions in Burgdorf, though, so make sure to book yours today!

It’s not just a thing of history books and movies like “A Knight’s Tale” – Bern has jousting, too! A variation of the medieval custom will take place in Bern’s Matte neighbourhood on 17 August: the traditional Schifferstechen – jousting on water! Equipped with padded lances, the opponents sail toward each other on so-called “Weidlinge” (flat-bottomed boats similar to punts) and try to push each other into the water. Who will stay dry and win the tournament? Food stalls and a varied programme with activities for spectators of all ages round off the summer festivities.

Be prepared for a blast from the past in the idyllic Emmental on 24 to 25 August, when the town of Burgdorf hosts its annual Bergkönig – Swiss Vintage Cycling Festival. “Gümmele” (cycling) enthusiasts present their retro bicycles (must be manufactured before the year 2000) and put them to the test on one of the three racecourses through the Emmental to see who will become this year’s “king of the mountain”. The event also has quite a few highlights in store for spectators: there’s a large outdoor celebration with food and drink in Burgdorf, a vintage bicycle market, an exhibition of the most beautiful retro racers and, a highlight for participants and spectators alike, the big finisher party in Burgdorf’s old town.

The federal city is no stranger to sporting events. One of them are the Swiss Beach Volleyball Championships, which will take place from 28 to 30 August on Parliament Square. Nine women’s teams and nine men’s teams will be competing during the three-day event. Thanks to the so-called Wildcard, a junior team will also have the chance of a spot in the tournament alongside the seasoned players. A visit to the free summer sporting event is definitely worthwhile. Why not change up your lunch break by watching the beach volleyball pros while you eat, or go for a “Fübi” (after-work drinks) in the stands with a view of the Parliament Building? A variety of street food stalls right next to the centre court provide refreshments.

To adequately wrap up the month, we’re headed to a castle: The Schlossfestspiele Laupen from 30 August to 1 September are four days filled with classical music from national and international professional musicians as well as local formations and music schools. Among other highlights, guests will be whisked away into the musical world of Harry Potter by the Laupen Music School or experience a midsummer night’s dream with the Bern Chamber Orchestra and Swiss actress Heidi Maria Glössner. You’ll also have the opportunity to precede the concerts with an elegant dinner at the castle tavern.