February in Switzerland
February is prime ski season in Switzerland, with all ski resorts open and a wide variety of winter sports possible: sledding, winter hiking, cross-country ski.
Most Swiss public schools have “ski holidays” for two weeks, sometime from end of January to beginning of March. So ski resorts can be very busy and mountain accommodations difficult to book.
For sightseeing, you can visit many mountain viewpoints, cruise lakes, wander the cities, warm up in thermal baths and visit museums.
Need help planning? Book a travel consult.
Carnival Events 2026
The main cultural event in February is Fäsnacht, the carnival season before Lent with parades in many cities and villages.
Fasnacht is celebrated over many weeks, not just one day. So you’ll have many chances to find an event that works with your schedule.
23-25 Feb 2026: Basel Fasnacht is the biggest and most popular in Switzerland, with three days of parades, lantern exhibitions and music in the streets.
12-17 Feb 2026: Luzerner Fasnacht has multiple large parades in the old town over several days. If you have to choose, perhaps best to visit the parades on opening or closing day.
12-17 Feb: Rabadan Bellinzona has parades and parties every night in the old town, with the largest masked parade on Sunday with music and floats. You need to tickets to the main events.
19-20 Feb: Bern Carnival. The main party is on Ash Wednesday when they awaken the symbol bear and release it from hibernation in the Käfigturn tower.
20-22 Feb 2026: Zürich city has a small Fasnacht parade and celebrations on this weekend. Through the month other nearby towns have Fasnacht celebration, including parades, music, parties and fun local traditions. See Züri region carnival events.
See more carnival events.
Other February Events 2026
23 Jan to 1 Feb – Hot Air Balloon Festival in Château-d’Oex
14-23 Feb – Appenzell “Bloch-Zeit” – early morning procession in traditional clothing, pulling a fir tree which will be burned at the end of the festivities.
Sightseeing
- Switzerland
Winter sports
Warm Up Indoors
- Switzerland
- Switzerland
- Zürich Region
