When can we carve a turnip at GZ Affoltern?

GZ Affoltern runs turnip carving on Wednesday, Nov 4 and Saturday, Nov 7, both from 2pm to 5pm. The Saturday session ends an hour before the GZ procession leaves from the center's lower parking lot.

What should kids wear?

It is dark and usually cold by 6pm in early November, and the whole thing happens outdoors, including the finish at Fronwald. Warm layers, a hat, gloves and sturdy shoes make the walk much easier.

The Quartierverein Affoltern and GZ Affoltern (the neighborhood community center), supported by local businesses including Sportzentrum Fronwald and Bäckerei Hausammann.

Räbeliechtli Turnip Lantern Procession in Zurich-Affoltern

Featured inRäbeliechtli Lantern Parades in Zurich 2026

Räbeliechtli Turnip Lantern Procession in Zurich-Affoltern photo 2

Räbeliechtli Turnip Lantern Procession in Zurich-Affoltern photo 3

FestivalKreis 11

Where

Sportanlage Fronwald (parade finish), Procession 1 start: GZ Affoltern, lower parking lot, Procession 2 start: Kirche Glaubten and Procession 3 start: Schulhaus Holderbach (upper playground)

Ages

All ages

Duration

1h 45m

Setting

Outdoors

Music

Live drummers

What you need to know

Drummers and a Guggenmusik band walk with the processions: the drummers of Jugendmusik Zürich 11 and the Zürigugge LadyKillers
Free punch and Weggen for everyone who reaches the Fronwald finish, handed out by the Quartierverein
Carving afternoons beforehand at GZ Affoltern, if your kids don't have a turnip lantern yet

About

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.

Free

2027 dates to be announced

2026 edition

Nov 7, 2026

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Where it is

Sportanlage Fronwald (parade finish)
Fronwaldstrasse 115, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Directions ↗
Procession 1 start: GZ Affoltern, lower parking lot
Bodenacker 25, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Directions ↗
Procession 2 start: Kirche Glaubten
Riedenhaldenstrasse 1, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Directions ↗
Procession 3 start: Schulhaus Holderbach (upper playground)
Wehntalerstrasse 563, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Directions ↗

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4 spots on the map

Resources

Event website
Official page from the organizer.

Common questions

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