The Zibelemärit rolls into town

Onion wreaths, onion braids, figures sculpted from onions. On 24 November 2025, everything in the Swiss capital will revolve around this beloved bulb. The Zibelemärit is upon us again!

Once a year, on the fourth Monday in November, the unmistakable scent of onions wafts through Bern. The Bundesplatz square and the alleys between the Zytglogge and the railway station are filled with market stalls and onion braids. It’s time for the Zibelemärit. There are various theories about the origins of this traditional market. The first mentions of Bern’s autumnal market date back to the 15th century. Known as the Martinimesse, this market was the last opportunity for the rural population to sell their summer harvest and all kinds of goods, while the townspeople took advantage of the opportunity to stock up on supplies for the winter. According to Bernese folklorist Rudolf J. Ramseyer, the actual Zibelemärit as we know it today originated in the mid-19th century as a market on the eve of the Martinimesse.

Today, the Zibelemärit is much more than just a market; it is a key part of Bern’s identity. Since 2011, the popular onion market has been on the List of Living Traditions in Switzerland. You’ll need to get up early if you want to get your hands on the most beautiful, artistically woven onion braids. The market stalls are already bustling with activity at six o’clock in the morning. Up to 30 tonnes of onions change hands on this day. But it’s not just the braids and wreaths that attract visitors. The air is filled with the steam of hot food and its irresistible smells: onion soup, onion tart, bratwurst with onions, and onion pizza. And mingling with all these scents, almost like a promise of the cold season to come, is the warm scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds.

However, the Zibelemärit has long been about more than just onions. Over the years, the market has developed into a colourful autumn festival with a wide range of products on offer. Stalls are piled high with winter vegetables, nuts, Nidletäfeli (Swiss fudge) and handmade ceramics and souvenirs. For children, the confetti battle on the (school-free) afternoon is undoubtedly the highlight of this November week, while adults round off the day at one of the musical Zibelemärit parties.

A symbolic plant

Turkmenistan, Iran or perhaps North Africa? The exact origin of the onion is uncertain. However, archaeological finds indicate that it was being cultivated and used more than 5,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians revered the onion as a symbol of eternity because its layers are arranged in a circle. It was therefore not only used in cooking, but also in religious rites and was even found in grave goods, such as those of Tutankhamun.

In the European Middle Ages, the onion became an important staple food. At the same time, it was considered a medicinal plant for a wide variety of ailments, from headaches to digestive problems and itching from insect bites. The plant eventually spread throughout the world via trade routes such as the Silk Road. Today, a wide variety of onion types are available at every weekly market and in every supermarket – from mild spring onions to aromatic, pungent cooking onions. As a representative of the Allium genus from the Amaryllidaceae family, this all-rounder in terms of flavour enhancement has long been more than just a simple vegetable. The onion is an essential part of global cuisine and has stood for durability, versatility and cultural significance for thousands of years.

This year the Zibelemärit takes place on Monday, 24 November 2025.

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