Chalandamarz

Chalandamarz is a spring festival held on 1 March in Romansh- and Italian-speaking villages of the Swiss canton of Grisons. Marking the end of winter, boys parade through the villages ringing bells and singing, with festivities including whip-cracking and dancing.

• Boys parade through villages ringing distinctive cowbells
• The festival marks the end of winter on 1 March
• Girls may collect money or carry bells in some villages
• A straw effigy of winter is burned in certain places
• Celebrations end with dancing and a village party

What it is

Chalandamarz is a lively spring festival celebrated in the Romansh- and Italian-speaking regions of the Swiss canton of Grisons. On the first of March, the festival marks the end of winter and the start of a new year. Central to the celebration is the procession of boys ringing bells and singing through village streets, a ritual believed to drive away the evil spirits of winter and invite the good spirits of spring. The event is a cherished tradition, deeply rooted in local identity and community life, and brings together villages in a shared hope for renewal.

Where it comes from

The origins of Chalandamarz lie in ancient customs marking the transition from winter to spring. Its name comes from the Latin 'Calendae Martis', meaning the first of March, and the festival is thought to have evolved from Roman and Alpine traditions. The use of cowbells to drive out winter echoes similar practices found in other Alpine regions, such as the Perchten and Fasnacht festivals. Over time, each village has shaped its own version of Chalandamarz, blending local customs and influences.

How it is celebrated

On Chalandamarz, boys—often led by the oldest school-leavers called Patruns—march through the village ringing a variety of bells, from small talacs to large maruns and plumpas, each with its own distinct sound. Singing traditional songs, they visit fountains and old houses, sometimes accompanied by girls who collect money or, in some places, carry bells themselves. Whip-cracking often follows the procession, and the day ends with a party and dancing. In some villages, a straw effigy representing winter is burned, and in a few, horses are used to pull the boys to outlying hamlets, their harnesses jingling with bells. The festival is a sensory experience of sound, movement, and community spirit.

Joining in

Visitors to the canton of Grisons on 1 March can witness Chalandamarz in villages across the Engadin, Val Müstair, Albula, and southern valleys like Poschiavo and Bregaglia. Expect to see processions of children in traditional dress, hear the resonant clang of bells, and feel the festive energy as the community gathers for music and dance. While the main rituals are performed by locals, newcomers are welcome to observe, enjoy the atmosphere, and join in the evening celebrations.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Chalandamarz, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Chalandamarz on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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