Skihalle Neuss celebrates the cattle descent festival
The annual descent from the alpine pastures, beginning in mid-September, has long been a tradition in the Alps. In autumn, the brightly decorated animals are herded down from the mountain pastures into the valley. This colorful spectacle is naturally celebrated with plenty of music and dancing. After all, it is also a sign that ski season in the Alps is just around the corner.
Cattle descent festival at Skihalle Neuss
This autumn spectacle is also celebrated in traditional style on September 14 at Skihalle Neuss, with raclette, music and livestock—and Switzerland as its partner region. The cattle descent festival has a firm place in Neuss’s calendar. Thousands of visitors flock to Neuss in September for the festivities.
Skihalle Neuss celebrates the cattle descent festival
Date: 30/09/2026
The custom of bringing the cattle down from the alpine pastures is centuries old. The animals are decorated, as are the herders who accompany them down into the valley. The villages are already preparing a festive welcome for the colorful processions. A lively celebration gets underway in the mountain villages. This tradition is not limited to Switzerland; communities throughout the Alps observe it too.
Decorated cattle procession in the village of Grefrath
A brightly decorated cattle procession also sets off in the village of Grefrath, near Neuss. It makes its way to the “Neuss Glacier.” Visitors of all ages join in from around 11 a.m. Some meet for a morning drink at Grefrath’s district sports grounds, while others head to the Alm beer garden at Skihalle Neuss. Alpine delicacies and live music are all part of the festivities.
Many more attractions await visitors young and old, including a spectacular birds of prey flight show, sawdust wrestling, pony rides, an adventure playground and a mini zoo. The top event is an attempt to set a European record for raclette. More than 10,000 portions of raclette will be prepared from 1,300 kg of cheese using 20 raclette ovens. At the indoor ski resort, you’ll find everything you’d expect from a real snow holiday.
