Halloween at Chillon: Scary Night & Vaud Legends
Discover the full 2026 Halloween programme on the Vaud Riviera: the Scary Night at Chillon Castle and 15 days of activities around the legends of the Vaud Alps at Fort de Chillon.
Every October, the shores of Lake Geneva turn into a playground for young and old thrill-seekers alike. Between the haunted keep of Chillon Castle and the underground galleries of Fort de Chillon, two not-to-be-missed events make up an especially rich 2026 Halloween programme this year, blending a nocturnal spectacle with a rediscovery of Vaud folklore. Here's everything you need to know to plan your visit.
The 2026 Scary Night at Chillon Castle
A firm fixture of the Riviera's autumn calendar, the Scary Night returns to Chillon Castle on Saturday, 10 October 2026. For one evening, Switzerland's most-visited medieval fortress trades its historic-monument identity for that of an open-air haunted castle.
As night falls, the keep lights up in eerie colours while a light show puts the castle's most terrifying creatures centre stage. Costumed visitors — from small night owls to grown-up thrill-seekers — can look forward to:
- exploring the haunted courtyards and dungeons, home to mysterious creatures and ghosts;
- taking part in treasure hunts scattered throughout the fortress to uncover the mysteries of Chillon;
- a face-painting stand to perfect a costume ahead of the costume contest;
- immersive shows combining shadow, light and life-size creatures.
Tickets for the Scary Night are available by pre-sale only on the official website chillon.ch, which also lists the exact opening times and prices for the 2026 edition. Light refreshments are provided on site by Café Byron, and given limited public parking, travelling by public transport (bus line 201 from Villeneuve) is strongly recommended.
The Halloween programme at Fort de Chillon Museum
Just a short walk away, Fort de Chillon offers its own take on Halloween, firmly rooted in local heritage. Over 15 days of activities, from 10 to 31 October, the museum invites young and old to step into the world of the legends of the Vaud Alps, as recorded by the writer Alfred Cérésole in his celebrated accounts of regional folklore. There are no imported Hollywood monsters here: the creatures haunting the Fort truly belong to our valleys and lakeshores, from druids and witches to alpine spirits.
Comic-book workshops with DAM, on 10 and 25 October
The highlight of this edition is a partnership with cartoonist Damien Leuba, aka DAM, author of the comic book Topio et la légende d'Hutzeran. On 10 and 25 October, DAM will run two comic-book workshops for families:
- participants are invited to draw their own version of the Hutzeran, based on the description given by Cérésole in his book;
- a Q&A session then lets families ask DAM anything about his work, his comic book and the process of creating a young-readers' graphic novel inspired by Vaud folklore.
A wonderful way to bring 19th-century literary heritage into dialogue with contemporary comic art.
Halloween mask-making workshops, every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon
Every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon throughout the month — 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31 October — Fort de Chillon hosts Halloween mask-making workshops. A chance for children to leave with their very own mask of a legendary creature between two museum visits.
Storytelling afternoons, on 11 and 25 October
In partnership with the House of Tales and Legends from across the Rhône, Fort de Chillon offers two storytelling afternoons, on 11 and 25 October. A quieter moment, somewhere between a bedtime story and a fantastical tale, to (re)discover the stories that have shaped generations of children in the region.
Grand costumed candy hunt, on 31 October
The programme closes in style on 31 October with a grand costumed candy hunt, held directly within the galleries and casemates of Fort de Chillon. Costumes are strongly encouraged for this final Halloween evening at the Fort!
Two atmospheres, one October
Whether you're after the one-off nocturnal thrill of the Scary Night at Chillon Castle or a more family-friendly immersion in Vaud legends spread across the whole month at Fort de Chillon, the Riviera offers a complete Halloween programme this autumn, with the two sites just a few minutes' walk apart. Be sure to book your Scary Night tickets early, as places sell out quickly every year, and choose your Fort de Chillon workshop dates according to your availability in October.
Practical information
Scary Night – Chillon Castle, Saturday 10 October 2026, tickets by pre-sale on www.chillon.ch
Practical information – Musée Fort de Chillon, Avenue de Chillon 22, Veytaux (VD) · October 10–31, 2026 www.fortdechillon.ch