| 
WHERE: Richterswil, Switzerland
WHEN: 11 November 2023
Turnips are vegetables with poor nutritional properties, and not particularly tasty.
Often, in everyday language, this vegetable is approached in an offensive way towards someone with “little brain” (turnip head).
Thinking that an event dedicated to this humble vegetable might exist somewhere in the world might seem like pure utopia. Nevertheless…
Every year, in the middle of autumn, the Turnip Lantern Festival is celebrated in several cities in Switzerland.
An event that is celebrated punctually every second Saturday in November.
The exaltation of the vegetable, in this case, lies not in eating it, but in the appearance and final form it takes on during the parade.
More than 25 tons of turnips expertly carved and assembled to the shape of a tiger, or a flower.
And thousands of candles ready to illuminate the compositions, giving the whole event a magical and surreal aspect.
Photo ©, Hellebardius
PRACTICAL INFO
THE PLACES OF THE EVENT
The Turnip Lantern Festival takes place in many areas of Switzerland. In Richterswil, it reaches its maximum expression.
The town is located on the shores of Lake Zurich. From the latter it is just under 30 kilometers, reachable by car and by train (line S8).
The S2 railway line connects Richterswil directly with Zurich International Airport in about 45 minutes.
TURNIP LANTERN FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2023
As per tradition, the festival takes place on the second Saturday in November, over a whole day.
The event takes place on the streets of the center of Richterswil and includes numerous concerts and outdoor performances.
Along the streets and the main square you will find several stands offering local culinary delicacies.
In the evening, the great procession of decorated floats represents the highlight of the entire event. You will be able to admire these extraordinary sculptures made of inlaid and worked turnips, illuminated by thousands of candles. A truly unique show not to be missed.
Related
NEXT EVENTS
The biggest concerts, shows and events around the world in 2024. The calendar of the most beautiful and renowned parties, and the most absurd and incredible ones