Silvesterchlausen

 Silvesterchlausen is a traditional winter festival in Switzerlandâs Appenzellerland region, where groups of masked and elaborately costumed figures â known as Chläuse â go from house to house, ringing large bells, performing the wordless yodel called the Zäuerli, and offering New Yearâs greetings to residents.The groups (called Schuppel) begin early in the morning, especially in the farm / outer-district areas, gradually moving into village centres during the day and visiting inns/ public places in the evening.The doubling of celebration (31 December and 13 January) stems from the regionâs historical refusal to immediately adopt the Gregorian calendar in favour of the Julian one.