BERN-News for Media

Bern lights up early. With the «Berner Novemberfenster» initiative, Bern Welcome and Bern City bring the tradition of lovingly decorated Advent windows right into the heart of the city.

The campaign is already underway: until 30 November, a new window opens each day at a local venue – with surprises and stories. A festive atmosphere full of warmth and connection takes shape well before December.

A piece of Bernese hotel history is reinventing itself: Built in 1951, the traditional «La Pergola» initially served as staff accommodation for the Inselspital before becoming a charming city hotel in 1978.
Now, following a comprehensive renovation, the hotel once again shines in new splendour. Rooms and public areas have been redesigned with a concept that bridges past and future – inspired by nearly 40 years of hotel history.

This year, the iconic Zentrum Paul Klee celebrates its 20th anniversary – closing the jubilee with a special exhibition dedicated to Anni Albers.
The artist attended Paul Klee’s classes in the 1920s and later established herself in the USA as a leading weaver, textile designer and artist. Today, she is still regarded as one of the most influential female artists and teachers of the Bauhaus movement.

From mid-November 2025, Bern’s Christmas markets and pop-ups open their doors. Whether traditional, artisanal, culinary or with scenic views – a rich variety awaits visitors within walking distance in the historic Old Town.
Villages around Bern also embrace the Advent season: with Christmas markets, a 16-metre nativity scene or a 1.5-kilometre Christmas trail featuring life-sized nativity figures.

For the first time in 90 years, the Kunstmuseum Bern reunites Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s works "Alpsonntag. Szene am Brunnen" and "Sonntag der Bergbauern" – the latter usually hangs in the German Federal Chancellery. These pieces, along with 60 others, are on display until January 2026 as part of the exhibition "Kirchner x Kirchner".

Also worth seeing: the new permanent exhibition at the Natural History Museum Bern. "Mensch, Erde! – Das Klima im Wandel" features striking scenography and explores the connection between our destiny and that of the Earth – while also offering hope that change is possible.

A winter trip to Switzerland without its national dish? Unthinkable. Whether classic or vegan, with a scenic view or in a cosy yurt, in the city or countryside – here are the top places to enjoy pure cheesy delight in Bern.

In Beat Wampfler’s cheese cellar, Emmental wheels mature not only with time and care – but with music. His project of exposing cheese to sound made headlines a few years ago. Now’s the perfect time to take another look at this innovative cheesemaker from Burgdorf: How has the idea evolved – and which music genres are making the wheels vibrate today?

The World Cheese Awards offer the perfect occasion to put this fascinating personality back in the spotlight – and maybe even pay him a visit, right here in our flavourful region.

A true gem awaits in the historic Bernapark in Deisswil: the event space of Barbara Diggelmann. Surrounded by greenery, stylishly furnished and full of feel-good atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for seminars, apéritifs or civil weddings.

No surprise it’s ranked among the most beautiful venues in Switzerland by the Swiss Location Award – a real discovery just minutes from Bern.

The most important exhibitions and top events in 2026, key figures, first news and plenty of inspiration from the city of Bern, the Emmental, the Gantrisch Nature Park, Laupen and the Oberaargau – all in our new media dossier.