Seasonal activities
January Light-Festival in Murten
In 2013, Murten Tourism developed a strategy to create a new identity for the winter season. With this goal in mind, the festival team from Murten Tourism travelled to Lyon in 2014 to visit the famous ‘Fête des Lumières’. Full of conviction, nothing stood in the way of financing a light festival in Murten in 2015. The very first edition of the festival was organised in just four months and since 2016, the festival has been held every January in Murten to the beaming faces of young and old alike.
January until March Treber sausage
Enjoyed in winter, the Treber sausage is regarded as one of the specialities of Lake Biel.
Many years ago, on the vine-clad slopes of the Lake Biel region, winegrowers were busy trimming the vines during the winter months. The cold north-east wind made sure that everyone working in the vineyards was frozen. But the wineries offered one cozy and warm spot: the room where the waste from the grapes was distilled to make schnapps. Someone had the idea of cooking a sausage in the hot steam issuing from the cover of the distilling vessel.
April Slowup along Lake Murten
The oldest slowUp runs for almost 33 kilometres along Lake Murten and passes through various symbolic places in the region. The route takes you through the Roman town of Avenches as well as the Vully and its vineyards. You will also discover the Grosse Moos with its diverse vegetable cultivation before reaching the enchanting lakeside promenade of Murten. Culinary delights along the route are provided by two regional specialities: the Vully cake and the Murten Nidelkuchen.
June Solennität
The Murtner Solennität, a living tradition
Like many other towns, Murten ends the school term before the summer holidays with a celebration for the young people. However, the celebration, known here as ‘Solennität’, combines the school festival with a commemoration of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, during the final phase of the Burgundian Wars. The Solennität is an important event for the town of Murten, which is why 22 June was declared a public holiday. The organisation is largely delegated to the primary and secondary schools in their German and French sections.
June Historic Murten Shoot
To commemorate the Battle of Murten, the ‘Historical Murten Shoot’ has been organised since 1930. The event takes place on the ‘Bodemünzi (Bois-Domingue)’, a hill near Murten, where in June 1476 the camp of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold and the centre of his siege deployment was located. The participating groups, each consisting of ten marksmen, meet in the morning at the schoolhouse in front of the Berntor and march as a procession - led by the town music - through the decorated town to Bodemünzi, 1.5 kilometres away, from whose hilltop a firing line is laid out towards the south, on the ground of the municipality of Münchenwiler.
July until august Open airs in Murten
July to August Murten Open air cinema
Enjoy a relaxing film-evening in front of the historic town wall.
August Murten Classics
The Murten Classics summer festival, dedicated to the classical concert repertoire, has been held in the picturesque town of Murten since 1989.
September Vully Winegrowers' festival
The winegrowers' festival is celebrated in the heart of the winegrowing village of Praz.
Every year, various concerts, entertainment and two parades are organised to celebrate the grape harvest.
October Murten-Fribourg run
In 1476, the Confederates won a glorious victory over the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, at Murten. This is how the canton of Fribourg was born and the national spirit was cemented. Those who run the 17.17 kilometres between Murten and Fribourg will remember this piece of history and take part in a traditional run in a unique festive atmosphere.
November St Martin's Market
Every year on the first Wednesday in November, the ‘Stedtli’ in Murten is transformed into the traditional St Martin's Market. The alleyways smell of onion tart, hot chestnuts and raclette. Numerous stalls selling clothes, toys, food, traditional items and much more line the streets of the St Martin's Market. A carousel in front of the Berntor provides entertainment for the little ones.
November Truffle Market Murten
The truffle market in Murten has become an important event in the Swiss truffle world. Over two days, the truffle market of Murten will welcome you in the Rathausgasse, in the heart of the old town. With more than 20 exhibitors, the raw product of the truffle will be available for purchase, as well as truffle-based products such as pasta, risotto and various spices.
November until February Murten on Ice
Murten on Ice is more than an outdoor ice rink. It is a place for social gatherings, a meeting point for locals and visitors, for different generations and for bon vivants and athletes.
December Christmas Market Murten
Murten’s/Morat’s old town is the perfect and unique fairy-like setting for its Christmas Market. Marvelously decorated chalets and a long lighted chain of twinkling lights and candles take you into a wonderland far away from everyday life. Come and taste the savory Christmas regional specialties and discover the lovingly handcrafted items. A visit surely to put you into the spirit of the upcoming festive days. An unforgettable moment for the entire family.