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Events Bern Switzerland!
Sports, Jazz, Carnival and Festivals
Carnival is one of Bern's biggest annual events. Photos: Bern Tourism.
The small Swiss capital, known for its BearPark, arcades of long archways and below-ground restaurants, shops and nightclubs, also has a number of events throughout the year that add sizzle to the city of Bern.
EVENTS IN BERN
One might think they woke up in Chicago, New Orleans or St. Louis when B.B. King, Fats Domino, Dizzy Gillespie or Ella Fitzgerald are in town. But they have all been part of the annual International Jazz Festival, which takes place during a 10-week period in the Spring (March 14-April 25). Bern Tourism is offering a free night during the festival. For details, click here,
In addition to the IIHG Hockey World Championships, there is the Bern Grand Prix (May 15 in 2010). This cycling event features 20,000 competitors taking part in a race along the "10 most beautiful miles in the world."
More than 35,000 people turn out for the Gurten Festival on Bern's The Gurten mountain. The 2010 event is July 15-18.
For kids, the Buskers Festival (Aug. 12-14 in '10) features 300 musical shows of Swiss folk, jazz, hip-hop and more, mixed in with street performances, puppet theater, comedy and food and drink. It occurs at 30 sites throughout Bern. On Saturday (Aug. 8), food and drinks are served until 3 a.m., which makes it much more than a festival for the kids.
 Carnival in Bern is an annual celebration that starts on Thursday when the bear imprisoned in the Prison Tower is woken from his winter sleep by the "Ychüblete" (drumming) and released.
Masked revelers swarm through the streets and restaurants of the Old Town and "Guggenmusik-Cliques" (carnival bands) march down the promenade.
On Saturday, a parade rolls through town attracting 50,000 spectators, followed by a concert.
The next Bern Carnival is Feb. 18-20, 2010.
Naturally, the city celebrates the winter holiday season. In Bern, it's the annual Christmas markets will be held at the Waisenhausplatz form Nov. 28-Dec.. 29 and at the Münsterplatz from Nov. 28-Dec 24.
Bern also has flower, vegetable and meat markets every Tuesday and Saturday on Bundesplatz and Munsterplatz.
 Related Articles: Bern's Bars and Nightlife
Bern Visitor's Guide
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