Good to know
Good to Know
- Cattle drives are central to Val d'Anniviers culture: both the spring ascent and September descent are genuine community traditions tied to Alpine farming cycles, not purely tourist-oriented events.
- The Eringer cattle parade is particularly special—these sturdy black cows and their milk produce sought-after regional cheese that can be tasted at the festival.
- Summer Firongs rotate themes (music, heritage, hunters, etc.), so check the current year's schedule if a particular theme interests you.
- National Day celebrations are lively and genuinely local in tone; expect both formal ceremony and multi-hour evening festivities with traditional Alpine instruments.
- Most signature events are free or low-cost to observe; check with the local Val d'Anniviers tourism office for specific dates, as cattle drives and some cultural events vary slightly year to year.
Events
Eringer Cattle Parade (Désalpe)
- Season
- September
- Timing
- Early September (approximately mid-month)
- Significance
- Traditionally, this is the day the cows choose among themselves their queen and their ranking within the herd, which will last the whole summer. The queens are specially adorned when the cows leave the pastures.
- Description
- A traditional alpine procession where beautifully decorated Eringer cows (the distinctive black Herens breed native to the Val d'Anniviers) and their herds arrive from the Alpage de Moiry in the historic old town of Grimentz. One hundred and twenty Eringer cows spend the summer on Alp Moiry and conduct 1,000 battles amongst themselves. The program includes a farmers market with local cheese varieties, live music, and other entertainment.
Cattle Ascent to Alpine Pastures
- Season
- June
- Timing
- Mid-June
- Significance
- This is the day the cows choose among themselves their queen and their ranking within the herd, which will last the whole summer.
- Description
- The famous cattle drive takes place in mid-June, going up to an altitude of 2850m. In addition to the Eringer cows, which are native to the Val d'Anniviers, more than 20 other breeds spend the summer together.
Firong of Grimentz (Weekly Summer Markets)
- Season
- Summer
- Timing
- Every Friday from early July to mid-August
- Significance
- A community cultural gathering showcasing local crafts, heritage, and traditions.
- Description
- A small weekly market with a rich entertainment programme and many stalls along the streets of the old village of Grimentz. The firongs (small markets in the local dialect) fill the streets with a different focus each week: the firong of music, heritage, hunters and so on.
Swiss National Day Celebration
- Season
- August 1st
- Timing
- August 1st
- Significance
- National holiday celebration with strong local participation and traditional Alpine music.
- Description
- Entertainment, concerts, processions, food and drinks stalls and the traditional fireworks await throughout the valley to celebrate the National Day. Official ceremony at the Ancienne Scierie with speeches; Cors des Alpes musical performance by the Fifes and Drums of Grimentz and the Echo de Moiry from 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM; Party at the Ancienne Scierie with DJ; continuation at the Country Pub (open until 4:00 AM).
Raquettissima (Snowshoe Winter Event)
- Season
- Winter
- Timing
- Winter season (date varies annually)
- Significance
- Winter-specific cultural event blending outdoor activity with local Alpine gastronomy traditions.
- Description
- A snowshoe event that combines snowshoeing with stopovers offering traditional dishes.
Broader Context
- Seasonal Cultural Traditions
- The older parts of Grimentz shine in the summer with Swiss style houses and buildings adorned with fiery geraniums – a tradition called "Operation Geraniums", which is maintained by the community to preserve the village's iconic visual character.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Grimentz
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.