The Festival des Copeaux | SpönliFest will take place from May 14 to 17, 2026 in the Pierre-à-Bot Orchard in Neuchâtel.
Join us for a few days of carving together, spending time together and learning new skills! We’re green woodcarvers organising an event for other craftspeople, whether experienced or beginners
It will be possible to camp on site. If you want to sleep in your car or van, you can do so in a nearby car park.
Classes in green wood carving and other crafts will be held over the weekend.
To take part in these incredible days, you’ll need to register
About the name
Copeaux in French, Spönli in Swiss German, means “wood shaving”. Wood shavings are actually the largest production (at least in volume) of greenwood carvers. Byproducts like spoon, bowl, käsa, plates, baskets may arise in the middle of the wood shavings…
Prices
Event ticket (including food) 4 days
Helpers
This Festival is run by volunteers for you, the community, so we are counting on everyone’s help to make it a success! We will have a board at the entry where you can enter your name at different tasks like cooking help, cleaning dishes, cleaning on Sunday, etc.
Courses
Discover the festival courses and program. Find all the details by clicking the link.
To participate in the festival, please register using the form below. This allows us to better organize the event and anticipate logistical needs.
Practical Infos
The Site of Pierre-à-Bot
The Festival will be held in an orchard, above the city of Neuchâtel, at the border of the forest . We have all the facilities we need there and lots of space to carve and have a good time.
Program schedule
- Arrival on Wednesday (May 14) evening from 7pm
- Thursday courses and/or free carving
- Friday courses and/or free carving
- Saturday courses (will be announced on-site and can be booked there on Friday)
- Sunday market in the morning and maybe demonstrations
- End of the event Sunday (May 17) : 3 pm
Travel by Public Transport
If you are travelling by public Transport you can take the Train to Neuchâtel main station and take the bus number 109 direction of “trois chênes” to the last stop (“trois chêne”) and walk the last few meters following our signs.
Parking
There is some free parking close to the site, and more parking very close to the site, but is only free after Saturday evening (9pm). Parking on site is forbidden (you might get a fine).
Adress :
Route de Pierre-à-Bot 94
2000, Neuchâtel
Suisse
Festival
Accommodation
Camping in a tent is possible in the designated areas within the site. If you want to sleep in your car or van, that is possible on a parking space close by. Toilets and showers will be available on site.
Food
The food is organized by our volunteer chef cook with our / your help. It will be vegan and very nourishing!
FAQ
Are dogs allowed?
Chicken and gooses are roaming freely on the site. Dogs are allowed as long as they are not aggressive and have to be kept on a leash at all time. No barking at night. Within a 3 minutes walk lies a park where your dog can run freely (as long as they obey their master’s recall). From April 15 until June 30, your dog has to be on leash if he goes in the forest, to protect wildlife.
Can my kids come?
Yes. Kids are very welcome to join the festival.
Language at the festival?
Chaos mix (French, German, English)
Do I have to take workshops?
Not at all! You are welcome to come and spend time with other guests not attending workshops.
Will there be tools for sale?
probably not
Wifi & cell service?
No wifi, cell service is good. There is electricity to charge your phone.
Are there showers?
Yes! Please bring our own soaps and towels.
What should I bring?
- Your own tools (If you have them)
- Wood (if you like)
- Snacks for Tea breaks 🙂
- Food to Grill on Saturday evening
- Tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag
- Shower utensils
- Money for the makers market
Can I arrive earlier?
Only if agreed with the organizers, to help with the installation
Can I stay an extra night?
No
Instead of camping, can I stay in a Hotel / Bed & Breakfast / Airbnb?
Yes, there are many possibilities in Neuchâtel
Can I bring my own food?
yes , but you won’t be able to use the kitchen or the fridge.
Can I light my own fire?
No, but we will have a fire at night, where you can also grill food.
What are the facilities on site?
Toilets, showers, electricity to charge your phone, benches, tables, roofs.
What if after purchasing my ticket I cannot attend?
Workshop tickets are non-refundable unless we are able to re-sell them.
we can refund the amount paid for day, night and food tickets up to a maximum of 15 days before the festival starts.
Can I sell my wares at the craft market?
Yes
Are there any cash points on site?
No
Can I make on-site purchases with a credit/debit card?
No
How far is the nearest supermarket?
10 minutes walk
I am new to green woodworking, may I come anyway ?
Of course! some workshops are for advanced carvers, but most of the workshops are for beginners.
What’s included in the day ticket?
Be there, use the toilet, enjoy the company and the tea breaks
Health and safety
You agree to this when you buy a ticket and must abide by the health and safety guidelines outlined below and follow safety information and announcements when you are at the festival.
The axes, knives and other tools are dangerous and can cause serious cuts. If used correctly the chance of accidental cuts is minimised.
When you are carving on site you are responsible for your own safety. Under 18 year olds must be supervised by a responsible adult. The Parent must take responsibility for their childs safety and this may require 100% of their attention. The parent must protect their child by ensuring the child is following our health and safety guidelines.
- Use safe knife cuts and axe holds.
- Maintain a safe distance – be aware of others around you.
- Don’t walk around with tools unsheathed.
- Store tools safely when not in use.
- Always carve when fully alert and focussed on the job.
- Do not carve after any alcohol.
- Take breaks often – walk around and stretch.
Contact
E-mail : herminette.ch@gmail.com
About us
Benoit (@benoit_schoeni), Christophe and Linus (@holz_im_rucksack), greenwood carvers in Switzerland. Please let us know if you have any questions!