Every November, Zurich kids hollow out a turnip, carve a pattern into the skin and carry it lit through their neighborhood after dark. Räbeliechtli parades are run by neighborhood associations, often with drummers, songs and hot soup or sausages at the end. Here's what we checked, from the Unterstrass procession to the Räbechilbi in Richterswil, where a whole lakeside village glows.
Räbeliechtli is Zurich's autumn lantern tradition: kids hollow out a turnip, carve a pattern into its skin and carry it lit through the dark streets.
This neighborhood procession is run by the Quartierverein Unterstrass with GZ Buchegg, and the youth drummers of Jugendmusik Zürich 11 march along with it. It suits preschool and primary-age kids who can manage a walk after dark.
Räbeliechtli are turnips hollowed out and carved with patterns, so the light inside shines through. In Affoltern, kids carry them through the neighborhood in three processions with live music, which all end at the Fronwald sports grounds.
It is a simple local tradition, quiet apart from the drums, and best for kids old enough to carry their own lantern and walk the route.
Räbeliechtli is the Swiss autumn tradition of carving a turnip into a lantern and carrying it through the dark. In Friesenberg, four processions wind through the neighborhood's residential streets and meet on Friesenbergplatz, where there's grill food, soup, hot drinks and music.
Kids carve their own turnip beforehand and walk with parents, family and friends. It suits preschoolers and primary-age kids who can manage a half-hour evening walk.
Räbeliechtli are lanterns carved from turnips, a Swiss autumn tradition, and this is Albisrieden's own neighborhood procession of them. Glowing floats wind through the streets after dark while bands play along the route.
It feels like a local school and community night rather than a big city show. It suits preschoolers and primary-age kids who are happy to be out in the cold and dark for an evening.
Each fall, Richterswil on Lake Zurich carves about 30 metric tons of turnips into lanterns, and its old village center glows by candlelight. Brass bands play on the squares while families wander between market stalls.
The highlight is the evening parade, when local schools and clubs carry dozens of glowing turnip sculptures through the streets. It suits kids happy to stay out on a cold, dark evening.
GZ Buchegg is one of the city's community centers, a short walk over the footbridge from Bucheggplatz. Donkeys, ponies, llamas and goats live in pens that families can stop by and watch, and visitors can help with the morning feeding.
Inside there's a self-run play room, a café with homemade cake where nobody has to order, and a stage for dance and theater made for young audiences.
Every November, Zurich kids hollow out a turnip, carve a pattern into the skin and carry it lit through their neighborhood after dark. Räbeliechtli parades are run by neighborhood associations, often with drummers, songs and hot soup or sausages at the end. Here's what we checked, from the Unterstrass procession to the Räbechilbi in Richterswil, where a whole lakeside village glows.
Räbeliechtli is Zurich's autumn lantern tradition: kids hollow out a turnip, carve a pattern into its skin and carry it lit through the dark streets.
This neighborhood procession is run by the Quartierverein Unterstrass with GZ Buchegg, and the youth drummers of Jugendmusik Zürich 11 march along with it. It suits preschool and primary-age kids who can manage a walk after dark.
Räbeliechtli are turnips hollowed out and carved with patterns, so the light inside shines through. In Affoltern, kids carry them through the neighborhood in three processions with live music, which all end at the Fronwald sports grounds.
It is a simple local tradition, quiet apart from the drums, and best for kids old enough to carry their own lantern and walk the route.
Räbeliechtli is the Swiss autumn tradition of carving a turnip into a lantern and carrying it through the dark. In Friesenberg, four processions wind through the neighborhood's residential streets and meet on Friesenbergplatz, where there's grill food, soup, hot drinks and music.
Kids carve their own turnip beforehand and walk with parents, family and friends. It suits preschoolers and primary-age kids who can manage a half-hour evening walk.
Räbeliechtli are lanterns carved from turnips, a Swiss autumn tradition, and this is Albisrieden's own neighborhood procession of them. Glowing floats wind through the streets after dark while bands play along the route.
It feels like a local school and community night rather than a big city show. It suits preschoolers and primary-age kids who are happy to be out in the cold and dark for an evening.
Each fall, Richterswil on Lake Zurich carves about 30 metric tons of turnips into lanterns, and its old village center glows by candlelight. Brass bands play on the squares while families wander between market stalls.
The highlight is the evening parade, when local schools and clubs carry dozens of glowing turnip sculptures through the streets. It suits kids happy to stay out on a cold, dark evening.
GZ Buchegg is one of the city's community centers, a short walk over the footbridge from Bucheggplatz. Donkeys, ponies, llamas and goats live in pens that families can stop by and watch, and visitors can help with the morning feeding.
Inside there's a self-run play room, a café with homemade cake where nobody has to order, and a stage for dance and theater made for young audiences.
