7 Bernese Highlights in June

We’re ringing in the Summer with lots of female power! From the Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss women’s race) to a creative art exhibition to relaxed evenings with the girls and live music at a pop-up bar: here’s what Bern has to offer in the month of June.

Switzer(land) marathon

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer made sports history: the US-American was the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon with an official race number, not letting anyone stop her – not even the angry race director who tried to push her off the course. If Switzer were in Bern on 12 June 2022, she would love what she’d see: some 14,000 ladies will be lacing up their running shoes to participate in the Schweizer Frauenlauf – from 4-year-old girls to 85-year-old pensioners. Switzerland’s fifth-largest running event is taking place for the 35th time this year and is as popular as ever. The perfect occasion to get the girls together!

Get out your running shoes

Pop-up-Locations

Sitting on a pallet sofa under colourful umbrellas, sipping homemade iced tea with fresh mint or a Bern Mule, and listening to guitar music and the burbling of the Aare river: these kinds of relaxed summer evenings are made possible by the locals running different pop-up bars all over the city – Rebecca, Ladina and Sophia, for example, with their popular pop-up “Malso” on Loryplatz, open from June to August. Improvising, getting creative, and offering their guests a diverse menu with whatever’s in season: that is what the three ladies are all about. Oh, how we’re looking forward to all of those mellow summer evenings!

To our favourite pop-up bars

Bern’s outdoor pools

We know what it means when Bern’s outdoor pools open their gates again after the break: Summer is here! Making the locals head outdoors for a dip at one of the many free public pools with their cool waters, spacious lawns, and treats like French fries and gelato. Be it at the quirky Wyler neighbourhood pool, the slightly alternative Lorrainebad or the famous Marzili: Bernese summers are best spent by or in the water! The popular Weyermannshaus is also finally ready for visitors again after an extensive renovation. Did you know? The “Weyerli” in Stöckacker is the largest public outdoor pool in all of Europe!

Dive in

Heidi Bucher – Metamorphoses I

Winterthur-born Heidi Bucher was probably the most important artist of the international Neo-Avant-Garde. Her works aim to express the constraints and the liberation process of human forms of existence. She would soak gauze sheets in latex rubber and use them to cover interior surfaces, then pull them off once the latex was dry to create thin, skin-like casts of the space, which she referred to as Skinnings. Her inspiration for this work was her favourite animal, the dragonfly. For these casts of windows, doors, floors etc. she mainly worked with textiles, latex and iridescent shimmer. It is quite fascinating to see the dedication, energy and unique technique with which she created her pieces.

Experience the Metamorphoses

“Rooftop Day”

Have you ever wondered what it looks like on your neighbours’ rooftop terrace? Or on the quirky balcony with all the plants across from your office window? Then get out your planner and circle in the 18th of June so you don’t miss Bern’s yearly “Rooftop Day”. Numerous participants ranging from students to art galleries get their terraces, balconies, courtyards and gardens ready and open them up to strangers, inviting them to celebrate the Bernese Summer together. From Yoga lessons to open-air movie nights to ping-pong tournaments with a view – the last few years have shown that there’s never a dull moment on “Rooftop Day”. In our opinion, it’s the perfect event for coming together al fresco, celebrating Summer, and getting to know the real Bern: welcoming, vibrant, and wonderfully laid-back.

Way up high

Speaking of “way up high”

The nights are getting warmer, so how about spending an unforgettable night under the stars? In a private tree tent camp in the heart of the Emmental valley, for example. Yes, you read that right: tree tent. The unusual sleeping quarters are suspended between three trees and look a little bit like a UFO. First item on the outdoor adventure agenda is “füürle”, or: getting a fire going. Because you’ll be making dinner yourself over the open fire. The ingredients are ready – including those for the mandatory Swiss camping dessert “Schoggibanane”, a grilled banana filled with chocolate. Wake up the next day feeling relaxed and – thanks to the breakfast basket filled with regional goodies – ready to take on the day. Sounds like the perfect micro adventure to us!

Break free

Break free? More like break dance!

Best done at the party of the year, the Bärner Stadtfescht, which takes place in Bern’s streets from 24 to 26 June. And what would a party be without good music? The programme is as diverse as Bern itself, and so is the line-up. Most of the artists are from the Bern area (as it should be), for example the group “Traktorkestar”, twelve musicians strong, with its danceable Balkan beats, the feel-good ska and reggae band “Open Season”, or rapper Tommy Vercetti. Our personal highlight, however, is the “Female Stage” on Waisenhausplatz square, where only female artists will be performing.

Celebrate life

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