When autumn evenings grow darker, Switzerland lights up with one of its most magical family traditions — the Räbeliechtli parades.
Children carve turnips into glowing lanterns, adding candles or LED lights inside, and proudly walk through their villages after sunset. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, craftsmanship, and nighttime wonder — a memory every child treasures and every parent loves to relive.
The highlight of the season is the Räbechilbi in Richterswil, Switzerland’s most famous turnip festival. With hundreds of beautifully carved lanterns, live music, and a spectacular parade through the village, it transforms the lakeside into a sea of light.
A Short History of the Räbechilbi in Richterswil
The Räbechilbi in Richterswil is one of Switzerland’s most beloved autumn traditions, blending harvest gratitude with the magic of light. Its origins date back to the 19th century, when villagers carried hollowed-out turnips with candles to the church — simple processions symbolizing the transition from harvest to winter.
The first written record of an organized Räbeliechtli parade in Richterswil appears in 1901, and by 1908, the Richterswil–Samstagern Tourism Association (VVRS) officially took over its organization. What began as a small local custom gradually grew into a major community celebration.
Over the decades, the event transformed into a breathtaking spectacle featuring more than 25 tons of carved turnips, thousands of candles, and glowing floats. In the year 2000, the Räbechilbi earned a place in the Guinness World Recordsas the largest turnip lantern parade in the world.
