The Bern Onion Market Home > Business Guide > Table of Contents > Customs > Bern Onion Market
On the fourth Sunday in November, the old
city in Bern, between the railway station and the
Place du Palais fédéral (Bundesplatz), blossoms
into a giant market with hundreds of stalls. Neighboring
farmers gather to sell over 100 tons of
plaited strings of onions, as well as other fruits,
vegetables and nuts, while street venders and secondhand
goods dealers peddle their traditional
wares. In the afternoon and evening, especially
after school and work, the carnival-side of the festival,
with confetti fights and people in costume,
melds with the lively market scene. In the evening,
ironic poetry recitals on the events of the past year
are held in the local taverns. Satirical newspapers
are also published on Onion Market day. |