Last updated: 20 February 2026

While Geneva continues to get blanketed with thick grey clouds during these last bits of winter, we thankfully have some exciting events and festivals in February to dispel some of those winter blues. It will be peak Carnival (Fasnacht in German) season in Switzerland, where many cities (mostly in the German-speaking cantons) will hold festive celebrations that last days or even weeks. We wrote in more details about these celebrations here and what to expect. We also have some great music festivals that are a can’t miss for music lovers, including a Geneva favorite – Antigel, where concerts and fire parties will be littered around the city throughout the month.

👉 Check out the March 2026 events

• 6 Jan – 17 Feb | Carnaval d’Evolène (Evolène) A unique carnival celebration with logan pagan roots, which feature notable figures like the ‘Empaillés’ and “Peluches”.
• 16 Jan – 1 Feb | Geneva Lux (Geneva)The annual light festival in Geneva that features stunning light installations, which are displayed along the lake and around the city.

• 24 Jan – 1 Feb | International Balloon Festival (Château-d’Oex)World famous balloon festival against the backdrops of the Swiss Alps 

• 29 Jan – 1 Feb | Artgeneve (Geneva) Geneva’s version of Art Basel. See world-class contemporary art and elite global galleries at Palexpo.
• 31 Jan 31 – 1 Feb | Carnaval d’Onex (Onex) Returning after a 20-year hiatus to celebrate Onex’s 175th anniversary, this is the closest major carnival to Geneva.
• 3 – 17 Feb | Lötschentaler Fasnacht (Lötschental Valley) This Fasnacht is widely considered the most haunting and atmospheric in Switzerland, thanks to the presence of the Tschäggättäs
• 5 – 28 Feb | Antigel Festival (Geneva) A hugely popular city-wide cultural festival spanning over 3 weeks, with concerts, music parties, immersive art, and more.

• 6 – 8 Feb | Carnaval d’Estavayer-le-Lac (Estavayer-le-Lac) Lakeside carnival celebrations in medieval fishing town where they burn a giant papier-mâché Perch
• 8, 15, & 22 Feb | White Turf St. Moritz (St. Moritz) One of the most exclusive events in Switzerland, where horses race on the frozen lake of St. Moritz. If you’re ever planning to visit St. Moritz, this is an exciting time to go.

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• 12 – 17 Feb
  • Lucerne Fasnacht (Lucerne) A city-wide, six-day party where the streets transform into a massive costumed celebration, with lively Guggenmusik around every corner and pop-up bars on every street.
  • Carnaval de Monthey (Monthey) One of the largest and oldest carnival celebrations in French-speaking Switzerland
• 13 – 17 Feb | Carnaval des Bolzes (Fribourg) Unique celebration in Fribourg’s historic lower town which ends with the burning of the giant straw “Rababou.”
• 14 – 15 Feb | Japan Impact (Lausanne)The biggest celebration of Japanese pop culture in French-speaking Switzerland.
• 19 – 21 Feb | Berner Fascacht (Bern) Third biggest Carnival festival in Switzerland
• 20 – 23 Feb | Les Brandons de Payerne (Payerne) One of the oldest carnival celebrations, famous for its satirical traditions and giant parade floats.
• 23 – 25 Feb | Basel Fasnacht (Basel) Switzerland’s largest Fasnacht festival and the only UNESCO-protected event, featuring the famous ‘Morgestraich’, beautifully crafted lanterns, and tons of parades and guggenmusik.
• 26 Feb – 1 Mar | Les Hivernales (Nyon) High energy music festival that takes over Nyon’s bars and clubs, featuring different genres of music electro, rap, and alternative rock
• 27 Feb | GSHC vs. SC Bern (Geneva)High-intense hockey match between Geneva and legendary SC Bern. 
• 27 Feb – 1 Mar | Annecy Venetian Carnival (Annecy) Beautiful, silent spectacle where hundreds are dressed in exquisite, hand-crafted Venetian costumes in the backdrop of the beautiful Annecy. 

• 28 Feb – 1 Mar | International Sled Dog Race (Les Mosses) 70 teams across Europe come to compete in one of the oldest races in Switzerland.
• 28 Feb – 8 Mar | Engadin Ski Marathon (Grisons) The largest mass sports event in Switzerland and the second largest cross-country skiing event in the world

Which events are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!