New Year’s Eve in Bern

The Emmental is known for its rolling hills, world-famous cheese, and beautiful views of the Bernese Alps. Nestled in this landscape is the Bären Ranflüh. On New Year’s Eve, it has everything the heart desires, including a fine apéritif followed by all-you-can-eat fondue chinoise (meat fondue traditionally eaten around this time of the year). Since the overnight stay is included in the price, you don’t have to hold back on the bubbly, either. The following morning, an indulgent breakfast buffet awaits. What a delicious way to start the new year.

What would New Year’s Eve be without the legendary movie «Dinner for One», shown on television around the world before midnight, with its protagonist who serves and empties glass after glass and continuously loses the battle with the tiger on the floor. If you, too, enjoy a good glass of wine, the Klösterli Weincafé is for you. But don’t worry, there is no drunken wait staff here – as always, the guests’ physical well-being is taken care of professionally. For the first time in the restaurant’s history, guests have the opportunity to enjoy a unique five-course menu, accompanied by the finest wine. The event starts at 3 p.m. with an oyster aperitif with Christoph Gilgen.

Enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner fit for a head of state at the Bellevue Palace hotel, the official guest house of the Swiss government. End the year in style with the varied New Year’s Eve buffet by award-winning chef Gregor Zimmermann accompanied by light lounge music from the resident DJ in an elegant, festive atmosphere.

Toi et moi – what a wonderful name for a restaurant. Equally wonderful: their six-course New Year’s Eve menu. Also equally wonderful: there is a vegan version. The kitchen crew at toi and moi is happy to include everyone and spoils the guests in the very detail-rich, lovingly decorated restaurant. And if you’re so full afterwards that you can barely move, don’t worry: the railway station is just a few steps away. Toi et moi, you and me – cheers to us!

The Kulturhof Schloss Köniz (Kulturhof Köniz Castle) hosts a roaring New Year’s Eve party in cooperation with the Bernese disco collective Helga. Don’t miss out on the fun! After all, New Year’s Eve comes but once a year. We recommend popping into the Eiger or Le Beizli for dinner before the party – if you eat there, there’s no cover charge for the party. Meat-free options are available.

Anyone who has ever travelled from Thun to Interlaken by boat and gotten a glimpse of the famous mountains Niesen, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau will never forget the breathtaking sight. On New Year’s Eve, when the mountain peaks are usually covered in snow and the view is even more magical, a trip on the MS Schilthorn, built in 2002, is especially worthwhile. Look back on the past year and reminisce about your experiences over a four-course New Year’s Eve menu accompanied by a good glass of wine before taking to the dance floor shortly before midnight to the music of Chronicles of Sunshine.

Ever since artists such as Burna Boy, Rema and Omah Lay touched the hearts of billions of people worldwide with their songs, Afrobeats as a genre has fully arrived in Europe. The fast beats make the body move and the stimulating melodies find their way straight into our hearts. Stellwerk is giving in to the fascination and dedicating an entire New Year’s Eve to Afrobeats: «Afroenergy» – musical fireworks at the end of the year. The event is also open to young adults from the age of 16.

Drumming basses and dreamy melodies await at Kapitel Bollwerk from 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 12 p.m. (!) on New Year’s Day. Dance to the music of more than twelve artists on a total of three floors. Already confirmed: Kellerkind, the DJ that has been known in the Swiss DJ scene for years for his work. The club focuses on awareness and takes a stand against discrimination of all kinds. It is also forbidden to film or take pictures at the party. Party like in the good old days: no mobile phones, just you and the music.

The legendary party high above Bern: At Kulturschür Uptown on our local mountain, the Gurten, DJs Michel Schelker and Nik Thomi from Radio Energy Bern will be taking over the DJ booth on New Year’s Eve to ring in the new year with hits from the Backstreet Boys to the Black Eyed Peas to Shakira. The 40 francs cover charge include a breathtaking panoramic view of Bern. A little free tip from us: if you go for dinner at one of the restaurants on the Gurten beforehand, the cover charge for the party is only five francs.

The countdown to the New Year in the renowned Bierhübeli concert and party hall is legendary. The theme of this year’s New Year’s Eve party is «Welcome to Wonderland»: mysterious worlds, twinkling lights and fascinating decoration take the guests into a new year filled with glamour and magic. Please note: tickets for the party in Wonderland are limited and sell out quickly.

On New Year’s Eve, the Tanzlounge dance school right by Bern’s main station is transformed into a disco for an unforgettable and fun evening for people aged 40 and over. Whether you’re going on your own, with friends or as a couple – anyone who likes to bust a move on the dance floor or simply enjoy a drink at the bar is cordially invited. The different DJs play a varied repertoire of disco hits, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Good entertainment is just as much a part of New Year’s Eve as a celebratory feast. The federal city even has its very own board game! The «Bärner Brättschpiu» («Bernese Board Game») is perfect for a fun game night for two. The entire contents as well as the box are produced entirely in Bern. In addition to a Bern poster, it includes three comic postcards and a carefully compiled selection of Bernese swear words, which will come in particularly handy for the loser.

Crisp air, metres of snow, and a panoramic view of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, the Bernese Alps: a true winter wonderland awaits when you spend New Year’s Eve on the Niederhorn to bring the year to an adventurous close. After a delicious dinner in the Berghaus, where guests can choose between a sumptuous New Year’s Eve buffet or a deliciously creamy cheese fondue, it’s time to hop on the sledges and whizz down the mountain. Make sure you take a break on the rapid descent on a clear night to enjoy the starry sky. Who will be the first to spot the Big Dipper?

What’s better than a strike? Two strikes, of course! And if the pins don’t all fall in the first attempt, there’s always the chance of a spare. Spend New Year’s Eve at the Marzili bowling alley and start the new year on a lucky strike (and with strikes in general). At just ten minutes from Bern’s main station, it offers everything you need for a fun evening with family or friends. And if lady luck is not on your side on the bowling lane, you can seek redemption at the pool table.

It’s a Bernese tradition: For over two decades, Bern locals have been meeting on Münsterplatz in front of the Bern Minster at midnight on New Year’s Eve to toast to the New Year together. At midnight, after the last quarter of an hour of the old year has been rung out, the tower keeper strikes the 700-year-old bell twelve times with an iron hammer. Then, the new year is greeted with 15 minutes of the rare full peal, while friends, acquaintances and strangers toast the new year. BYOB!

This traditional New Year’s Eve procession in the quaint town of Laupen is already in its 101st year. It starts at 8 p.m. at Laupen Castle. From there, the «Bäsemanne» (broom men) with their wooden masks, the «Glöggeler» (bell ringers) with their bells and dressed in all white, and the «Blaateremannli» (bladder men), who carry air-filled pig’s bladders, make their way through the town, bidding a very noisy farewell to the old year. If you want to end the year with a traditional experience, you should plan a trip to Laupen.

Once the invitations for the cosy get-together on New Year’s Eve are out, the actual stress usually begins: shopping, planning the menu, decorating ... To make your life easier, the restaurant Steinhalle in Bern (17 GaultMillau points) has created a gourmet takeout menu. The best thing about it? You can pick it up in the afternoon and then prepare it in your own kitchen within 30 minutes. It goes without saying that this offer should also be pre-booked sooner rather than later.

What’s New Year’s Eve without a New Year’s toast? If you’re not in the mood for the classic «Cüpli» (glass of Prosecco), this is the perfect opportunity to get to know Ingwerer cocktails. «Ingwerer Spritz», for example, is a refreshing drink made with the iconic Bernese ginger liquor Ingwerer. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious!

Not a fan of parties? That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Bernese beats! We’ve compiled a playlist on Spotify that we’ve been listening to on repeat: «z Bärn daheim» («At home in Bern»). Turn up the volume and have a spontaneous dance party in the living room! By the way: to support Bern’s music scene and the artists, consider buying your favourite albums – just like in the good old days. Going to a concert in one of Bern’s many cultural venues will also help your favourite musicians.