07/11/2026
The Räbechilbi is a famous autumn festival in Richterswil, a small town on the shore of Lake Zurich, about 30 minutes from Zurich. It takes place every year on the second Saturday of November. In 2026 the Räbechilbi will be held on Saturday, 14 November 2026. “Räbe” is the Swiss German word for a white autumn turnip. For the festival, the people of Richterswil carve about 25–30 tonnes of turnips into beautiful lanterns with candles inside. The tradition is said to come from an old harvest custom, when farm women walked to church in the dark with turnip lights. In 2000 the Guinness Book of Records named it the largest turnip lantern parade in the world.
What to See
From 15:00, schoolchildren sell their carved turnips, and more than 20 market stalls in the old village centre offer grilled sausages, raclette, cakes and hot drinks. From 16:00 brass bands play open-air concerts in several places. When it gets dark, thousands of turnip lanterns are lit in windows, on stairs and along the streets, and the whole village looks like a fairy tale. At 17:30 and 20:30 the illuminated fountain shoots light into the night sky. The highlight is the Räbeliechtli parade from 18:00 to 19:00. Schools and clubs from Richterswil and Samstagern carry more than 45 large lantern designs made of turnips, decorated with hundreds of small candles. During the parade the street lights and house lights are switched off, so only the soft light of the turnips shines. In 2026 the parade starts from two places, in the village and by the lake.
How to Get There and Practical Information
Richterswil is easy to reach by S-Bahn train from Zurich main station in about 30 minutes; get off at Richterswil station, close to the old village. On festival day there are many visitors, so it is best to come by train, because parking is very limited. The event is free and takes place outdoors, so dress warmly and wear good shoes. Come early to find a good place along the parade route. The festival is organised by the Verkehrsverein Richterswil.
Weather in location: Räbechilbi Turnip Lantern Parade, Richterswil, Zurich, Switzerland
- Today 10°…15°
- Wind 3 km/h SW
- No precipitation now
Forecast data: Open-Meteo.com
