Easter weekend arrives just as spring begins to bloom around the lake. The days are longer, the countryside turns green again, and the region fills with family activities, festivals, and slow lakeside meals. If you’re staying around Lausanne, here’s one way to spend a lovely Easter weekend.
Start with Spring in Full Bloom
Kick off the long weekend with a lakeside walk at the Tulip Festival in Morges. Each spring, more than 140,000 tulips transform Parc de l’Indépendance into a colourful patchwork of blooms overlooking the lake. It’s a simple outing—but one of the most beautiful signs that winter has finally given way to spring. Bring coffee, wander the paths between flower beds, and enjoy the Alps in the background.
If you are up for a short hike, head toward the Montreux Riviera for one of the region’s most poetic spring traditions: the blooming of wild daffodils. Often called the “May snow,” these delicate white flowers cover hillsides above the lake, especially around Les Pléiades. Check out the daffodils blooming forecast to pick the best trail.
From Castle Gardens to City Food Trucks
Families can head to Château de Vullierens for an Easter adventure in the gardens, where children explore themed trails, solve small challenges, and collect eggs along the way. Circus performances, pony rides, and picnic spaces add to the festive countryside atmosphere.
Back in Lausanne, Montbenon becomes a lively gathering spot as the Street Food Festival brings together food trucks and international flavours in one of the city’s most scenic parks. With lake views, music, and open-air terraces, it’s an easy and sociable way to enjoy lunch or an early evening bite outdoors.
A Cultural Detour for Curious Kids
During the school holidays, the canton’s museums also take part in PâKOMUZé, a program of workshops, treasure hunts, and creative activities designed especially for children. It’s a great excuse to discover museums across Vaud while kids learn through hands-on experiences.
A Slow Easter Sunday
After a busy Saturday, Sunday calls for something slower. Many lakeside hotels host festive Easter brunches—like those at Beau‑Rivage Palace or Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa—where generous buffets, seasonal dishes, and plenty of chocolate desserts make for a celebratory start to the day.
Another option is to head down to the lake and board an Easter cruise with CGN sur le lac Léman. Over the Easter weekend their special “Lunch on the Lake” heritage cruise departs from Lausanne-Ouchy, offering a relaxed three-hour journey across the lake.
For a more contemplative Easter experience, head to Lausanne Cathedral, where special concerts are traditionally held on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
If the Weather Turns Grey
Should the April weather decide not to cooperate, there’s always Polymanga at Beaulieu in Lausanne. Taking place every Easter weekend, the event is Switzerland’s biggest celebration of pop culture, with cosplay parades, gaming tournaments, anime screenings, and concerts. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, the creativity and energy make it a fascinating place to wander for a couple of hours.
For a cultural pause, stop by Books Books Books, where on Saturday afternoon the transatlantic duo The Lizard Point will play an intimate in-store set. Marking the final date of their European–San Francisco tour for their third LP In The Red Earth, the performance is free, informal, and perfectly in keeping with the shop’s laid-back, literary atmosphere.
For contemporary art lovers, three standout exhibitions offer excellent rainy-day escapes:
- Spring continues at the Naturéum – Jardin botanique, where the exhibition Florama invites visitors to explore the world of flowers through beautifully illustrated botanical plates. It’s a gentle, educational walk through the gardens — perfect for families, curious minds, or anyone wanting a calm outdoor moment between Easter festivities.
- At Marina Xenofontos – Play Life at the MCBA, you will encounter a thoughtful contemporary exhibition exploring memory and space through sculpture and film.
- Nearby, design enthusiasts can continue to Jean Tschumi Designer at mudac, where the legacy of one of Switzerland’s key modernist figures unfolds through architecture, graphics, and visual identity.
- Flash sur la collection at the Musée d’art de Pully — a small exhibition exploring highlights from the museum’s collection.
Photo by Heather Newsom
