The Wilhelm Tell Festival is an annual event held every year on Labor Day weekend and has been a tradition in New Glarus since first presented in 1938. It seems as though the entire town participates in this unique ethnic event. The highlight of the festival includes the telling of Wilhelm Tells' story and the story Swiss independence during the Wilhelm Tell Drama. Performances, written by German playwright Friedrich Schiller, are presented with intricate costumes and a lively cast that includes goats, cows and horses in a beautiful outdoor setting a short distance from downtown New Glarus. More than 200 volunteers join to make each colorful performance come to life. Performances are offered in English or German. The English version of the play begins Saturday afternoon. A German version is performed on Sunday

A traditional lantern parade kicks off the weekend on Friday evening. On Saturday, after the English performance of the play, a yodeling contest is held on the Swiss Church lawn in downtown New Glarus. At the Alpine Festival, held Saturday evening, visitors to New Glarus enjoy traditional Swiss entertainment presented by local groups in ethnic costumes. Swiss Camping is set up at the Tell Grounds on Saturday night. "Go to sleep in New Glarus and wake up in Switzerland" is how the event is billed. Meet new people around the campfire with roasting Swiss sausages and making Swiss 'smores with real Swiss chocolate. Sunday morning awake to alphorns and feast on a classic Swiss breakfast.

After breakfast, pack up your tent and head into town to view the Ethnic Fashion Show. After learning about various Swiss costumes, wander over to the Outdoor Art Fair in the Village Park. Several streets are blocked off to make room for the Street Dance which is a free event that takes place on Sunday night.