Zurich

Festivals and Annual Events

features a different guest country every year. This is perhaps the largest fair held in Switzerland and is divided thematically – from continents/countries to wider categories such as health and education.

Showing 1–24 of 27 festivals

City guide section

Festivals and events in Zurich

Showing 1–24 of 27 festivals

Plan around 27 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.

The Fespo Holidays and Leisure Fair

CSI Zurich

one of the world’s top five horse riding events. It attracts thousands of keen riders and non-riders every year.

The Salsa Festival Switzerland

For those who wish to participate in this festival, there are a number of salsa workshops set up prior to the festival where you can hone your skills.

The Opera Ball

has to its credit international opera stars that perform alongside the Zurich Opera Orchestra. The evening kicks off with the debutantes of the season dressed in breath-taking ball gowns.

Art on Ice

is a figure skating event that has some of the finest Swiss figure skaters doing their thing. Performances by international pop stars and a light show are some of the other features of the event.

The Sechseläuten Spring Festival (April 18-19)

is one of the most famous annual festivals held in Zurich. The festival symbolises the end of winter and the main feature consists of the burning of the snowman effigy, Boogg.

The Zurich Marathon

starts and ends at Hohe Landiwiese, with participants running around some of the main sight-seeing spots of the city.

The Tweakfest

is an annual technology exhibition where manufacturers unveil their latest gadgets and hold seminars and workshops.

The Krieslauf

4 - 5 May: is a haven for art lovers who can explore at length Zurich’s art, culture and fashion districts’ four and five. There are over 60 boutiques that hold special events and display their wares.

The Circus Knie

that tours throughout Switzerland arrives in Zurich in the months of May and June. This circus has been around for 200 years.

The Zurich Festival

is a performing arts festival, one of the biggest in Europe, and consists of theatre, dance, opera and classical music. It occurs towards the end of June and beginning of July.

The Caliente

is a Latin American festival with highlights such as dancing, food specialities and, of course, the cigar lounge.

Live at Sunset

features international and classical musical acts.

The Tango Week

workshops will teach you how to tango, if you are in the mood for it, along with showcasing some fantastic tango performances by Lake Zurich and a 20s-style ball.

OrangeCinema

a summer festival, presents an impressive line-up of movies both old and new, once again on the banks of Lake Zurich, along with delicious food.

The Zurich Street Parade

(usually held in the second week of August) was started in 1992 by Marek Krynki, a student, which he said was symbolic of love, peace and tolerance.

The Dorfli-Fascht

is a cultural festival that takes place in Niederdorf, the old town of Zurich. The festival comprises an open-air concert, various art performances and traditional food.

Swiss Teddy Festival

is just the place for manufacturers and collectors of stuffed toys where they can meet and discuss the furry, cuddly creatures or learn more about them through the workshops featured here.

The Zurich Theatre Spectacle

a highly anticipated event, boasts some 30 international theatre and dance performers that perform at various spots in Zurich.

The Zurich Film Festival

showcases the work of upcoming film-makers to those who have been around in the business for many years.

Art International Zurich

Art International Zurich rounds up some of the best artists and galleries in some five continents and brings them to Zurich where they exhibit and sell their work.

The Zurich Christmas Market

is set up in the main city and is an indoor market. It features over 100 stalls that sell hand-crafted knick-knacks and gourmet desserts and pastries.