Autumn Market and Cantonal Festival – northwestern Switzerland
Stroll between market stalls, soak up the autumn atmosphere at Ballenberg and experience our Cantonal Festival – a celebration of the traditions and culture of Northwestern Switzerland.
Autumn Market
This year, the Autumn Market will take place in the museum’s Bernese Midlands section, around the farmhouse from Madiswil BE (321). At the market stalls, visitors will discover a diverse range of crafts and regional specialities.
At the farmhouse from Therwil BL (131), schnapps is distilled all day in the recently renovated mobile distillery, known locally as the «Brenni». This year, Brenni celebrates its 111th anniversary – a special schnapps number worth celebrating!
At 11.00 am and 2.00 pm, the cider press at the barn from Meggen LU (752) will be in operation. For a small contribution towards the costs, you can sample the freshly pressed apple juice.
Cantonal Festival – northwestern Switzerland
The Cantonal Festival – a unique event that celebrates the traditions and cultural diversity of a Swiss region in all its facets – will be held on our cultural stage (opposite the Degen restaurant).
This year, the focus is on Northwestern Switzerland. Visitors can look forward to authentic folk music and traditional dancing that characterise the region.
Experience a lively meeting place full of social encounters, cultural diversity and atmospheric performances.
Programme for Saturday, 12 September 2026
11 - 11.30 am
Traditional music ensemble «Stärneföxler»
11.30 - 11.45 am
«The Story of the Basel Vinegar War» – A tale from the Basel Gärtli
11.45 - 12.15 am
Swiss accordion group «Tschoppenhof»
12.15 - 12.30 am
Traditional costume dance group «Merenschwand»
1.30 - 2 pm
Traditional music ensemble «Stärneföxler»
2 - 2.20 pm
«The Story of the Basel Vinegar War» – A tale from the Basel Gärtli
2.30 - 3 pm
Swiss accordion group «Tschoppenhof»
3 - 3.30 pm
Traditional costume dance group «Merenschwand»
3.30 - 3.50 pm
Joint performance by the musicians
Programme for Sunday, 13 September 2026
11 - 11.30 am
Drummers and Pipers’ Association «Wurlitzer Clique Zunzgen in Baselland»
11.30 - 11.45 am
«The Story of the Basel Vinegar War» – A tale from the Basel Gärtli
11.45 - 12.15 am
SULP
12.15 - 12.45 am
Traditional costume dance group «Waldenburgertal»
1.30 - 2 pm
«The Story of the Basel Vinegar War» – A tale from the Basel Gärtli
2 - 2.20 pm
Drummers and Pipers’ Association «Wurlitzer Clique Zunzgen in Baselland»
3.30 - 3 pm
Traditional costume dance group «Waldenburgertal»
15 - 15.30 pm
SULP
15.30 - 15.50 pm
Joint performance by the musicians
Click on the coloured numbers to see the details of the buildings.
Ballenberg
Swiss Open-Air Museum
Museumsstrasse 100
CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz
Opening hours
9 April to 1 November 2026
10 am to 5 pm daily
Opening hours Administration
8 am to 6 pm daily
