In the Appenzell region of eastern Switzerland, they have a special new years celebration.

Local men in traditional costumes with elaborate headdresses and large cow bells (aka "Silvestercläuse") wander the countryside, visiting family homes to wish them a happy new year with yodeling and bell ringing.

Dates: 31 December ("new" new year) and 13 January ("old" new year)

Official info: appenzellerland.ch

Location: Urnäsch • From Zürich 1h35 by train, 1h20 by car

The groups start around 5am and wander until about lunchtime. In the afternoon, they resume the wander, some continuing after dark with illuminated headdresses.

Be respectful

This is not an organized parade for spectators. It is a time-honored tradition of the local communities, visiting friends and neighbors. While visitors are tolerated and, in general, you may take photos and videos, keep your distance from the groups so you do not disturb the event.

Where to go

While this happens in many villages (see list), the largest event that attracts outsiders is in Urnäsch. They have organized parking for visitors, an info stand, a pamphlet and map with a suggested walking route, shuttle service (for a fee), and food stands. For first timers, this is the best option to see the festivities.

How to get there

It's best to arrive by train to Urnäsch Bahnhof. If you come by car, there are a few event parking areas in the Urnäsch village, follow directions from parking officials onsite.

How to find the "Silvestercläuse"

The many small groups are self-organized and choose their own walking route, different each year. The routes are not published or shared with the public.

So you must wander around to find them, following the sound of bells and other spectators.

We spent most of our time on Schönaugasse, about a 3km walk up from the center of Urnäsch. We parked in an official event lot here. In this area, there were several groups wandering to the farms in the area.

In the afternoon, we saw lots of groups in the neighborhood near Bindlistrasse.

A local told us that many groups meet up at the Urnäsch schoolhouse around lunchtime, which can be a good opportunity to see many of the different styles in the same place. But we didn't have time to verify this info.

Suggested walking route

The event guide suggests this walking route (4.2km, 1h20, mostly downhill), starting at Schönau on the hill and ending in Urnäsch. For a fee, you can use a shuttle bus from Urnäsch center to reach the start of the walk.

Their website also suggests these two routes around Urnäsch: Chräg loop (5.2km loop, 180m up & down) and Dürrhalde loop (5.2km loop, 180m up & down).

While you're likely to see Silvesterkläuse on these routes, no guarantee.

Museums

To see more of the local culture, you can visit the Brauchturm museum in Urnäsch.

In the old orphanage, there is a window display of many old Silvesterkläuse headdresses. We just stumbled upon it.