Events in Zurich 2026
6 – 10 February 2026
photoSCHWEIZ
photoSCHWEIZ is Switzerland’s largest photography showcase and a yearly meeting point for Zurich’s photo and art scene. Over several days, around 250 exhibitors present current work at Zurich’s Kongresshaus, complemented by a varied programme of talks, lectures and workshops.
26 February – 1 March 2026
Art on Ice
Art on Ice combines top-level figure skating with the energy of a major live show. At Zurich’s Hallenstadion, audiences can expect a gala featuring impressive routines, lighting design, and live musical accompaniment on stage— less about competition and more about atmosphere, emotion and show moments.
12 April 2026
Zurich Marathon
The Zurich Marathon covers 42.195 km through the city and along Lake Zurich. The race starts at Quaibrücke and finishes at Sechseläutenplatz, combining athletic challenge with stunning city scenery and lakeside views. Half marathon and the Z10 (10 km) also take place the same day, offering distances for both ambitious runners and first-timers.
20 April 2026
Sechseläuten
Sechseläuten is Zurich’s traditional spring festival, shaped by the city’s guilds. On Monday afternoon, the guild parade moves through the city centre to Sechseläutenplatz, where at 6:00 pm the bonfire with the Böögg is lit. Many watch closely for the moment the snowman’s head explodes—folklore links the time until the “bang” to the quality of the coming summer. The children’s parade takes place on Sunday, with many children joining in traditional or historical costumes.
7 – 10 May 2026
Zürich Tanzt
Zürich Tanzt gets the whole city moving — inviting people to watch and to join in. Across many venues, you’ll find shows, performances, and parties, plus workshops and short crash courses in different dance styles, so you can enjoy a stage one evening and try a new move yourself the next.
15 – 31 May 2026
Ice Hockey World Championship
The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship brings the world’s best national teams to Switzerland and turns Zurich into a hub for fans from around the globe for two weeks. Games in Zurich are played at Swiss Life Arena - one of the city’s standout sporting highlights of the year, with big atmosphere and top-level international action.
28 – 31 May 2026
Cycle Week
Cycle Week is Switzerland’s national bike festival and turns Zurich into a major meeting point for cycling fans over a long weekend. At Europaallee near the main station and at the Brunau campus, there are expo areas, plenty of chances to test new bikes, and a varied programme of workshops, rides, and shows — aimed at everyday cyclists, sport enthusiasts, and families looking for inspiration.
30 – 31 May 2026
Kreislauf 345
Kreislauf 345 is a discovery weekend where Zurich’s Districts 3, 4, and 5 show their most creative side. Numerous boutiques, studios, galleries, and selected food and drink spots open their doors for browsing, meeting people, and trying things out. If you’re into local labels, design and new favourite places, you can plan your own route with the official map and explore neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
12 – 14 June 2026
Zurich Art Weekend
Zurich Art Weekend brings together three days of contemporary art across the city. Museums, galleries and off-spaces open their doors with openings, tours, talks and special events across different neighbourhoods — an easy way to experience Zurich’s art scene, from established institutions to new project spaces.
19 – 20 June 2026
Zurich Pride Festival
Zurich Pride makes a visible statement for equality and against discrimination. The demonstration takes place on Saturday as a collective march through the city, accompanied by speeches and clear demands. Around it, the Zurich Pride Festival adds further programme highlights on Friday and Saturday.
26 – 28 June 2026
Oper für alle
Opera for All brings opera, ballet, and concerts to Sechseläutenplatz free of charge, turning central Zurich into an open-air auditorium for the weekend. The programme is broadcast live from the opera house onto a large screen, creating a shared cultural experience even without a ticket. In 2026, the format runs for three days for the first time: ballet on 26 June, opera on 27 June and an open-air concert on 28 June.
16 July – 16 August 2026
Allianz Cinema – Open-Air Cinema
Allianz Cinema is Zurich’s major summer cinema at Zürichhorn and has been one of the city’s most popular open-air highlights for over 30 years. With Lake Zurich as the backdrop, films from a wide range of genres are shown on many evenings—from big crowd-pleasers to arthouse titles—often complemented by selected premieres.
3 – 9 August 2026
Zurich Music Week
Zurich Music Week is a festival week dedicated to electronic music, combining club culture with exchange and professional development. Alongside concerts and DJ sets, the programme includes masterclasses, talks and panel discussions focusing on topics from across the music industry. A key meeting point is Kraftwerk Zurich, joined by additional venues and pop-up locations around the city.
8 August 2026
Street Parade
Street Parade Zurich is one of the world’s biggest electronic music events, with Love Mobiles circling the Lake Zurich basin. Every year, hundreds of thousands celebrate in the city centre and create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The parade starts at Utoquai and runs via Bellevue, Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz to Hafendamm Enge, accompanied by multiple stages along the route.
13 – 30 August 2026
Zürcher Theater Spektakel
The Zurich Theater Spectacle turns Landiwiese in Wollishofen into a major lakeside stage each year. Over around two and a half weeks, ensembles from many countries present theatre, dance, performance and other forms of performing arts. Street performances, a family programme, and a lively festival site with food and drink also shape the atmosphere.
15 August 2026
Zürcher Limmatschwimmen
The Zurich Limmat Swim is a long-standing swimming event where the Limmat becomes an official swim route for an afternoon. Swimmers go from Frauenbad Stadthausquai to the Oberer Letten over about 2'000 metres. This year, the event takes place for the 60th time.
26 – 27 August 2026
Weltklasse Zürich
Weltklasse Zürich is the traditional athletics meeting at Letzigrund Stadium and part of the Diamond League. Each year, international top athletes compete here — often producing very fast times and world-class contests, making it one of the sporting highlights of Zurich’s late summer.
5 September 2026
Lange Nacht der Zürcher Museen
The Long Night of Zurich Museums turns the city into a large-scale museum crawl for one evening, with events running late into the night. Many museums and exhibition spaces take part, adding tours, short formats, talks and special activities. Extra VBZ shuttle services make it easier to travel between locations.
12 – 14 September 2026
Knabenschiessen
Knabenschiessen is a traditional Zurich event that combines youth target shooting with a fairground festival at Albisgüetli. The focus is the youth competition, accompanied by a large funfair with rides, market stalls and food. The highlight is usually Monday, when the shooting queen or shooting king is crowned.
17 – 27 September 2026
Zurich Design Weeks
Zurich Design Weeks is Switzerland’s largest design festival, bringing together a broad programme across the city every September. Designers, showrooms and brands open their doors at many locations with exhibitions, installations and current projects. Tours, talks and workshops add context, exploring design in relation to society, business and the environment.
24 September – 4 October 2026
Zurich Film Festival
The Zurich Film Festival turns the city into a stage for international cinema, with many premieres and guests from the film world. The focus is on new films and series, often accompanied by talks, masterclasses and additional events on directing, acting and production. A key meeting point is the festival centre at Sechseläutenplatz, where the atmosphere is palpable beyond the cinemas.
26 – 27 September 2026
Open House Zurich
Open House Zurich makes many architecturally interesting places accessible for a weekend — homes, offices, workshops and special buildings that are usually closed to the public. The result is a city experience that brings architecture, everyday spaces and urban development up close.
20 November – 24 December 2026
Christmas Markets / Lucy / Märlitram
The switching-on of “Lucy” traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season in Zurich, when Bahnhofstrasse lights up in the evening and the city centre feels distinctly festive. At the same time, Christmas markets open across the city, offering crafts, gift ideas, food and hot drinks right up until shortly before Christmas. Another December highlight is the Märlitram, a story tram ride through the city centre — especially magical for families and children.
6 December 2026
Zürcher Samichlausschwimmen
The Zurich Samichlaus Swim is a wintry swimming event in the Limmat, where many participants enter the cold water. The route runs from Pier 7 at Schifflände to Frauenbad Stadthausquai. The event also has a charity character, supporting a good cause each year.
13 December 2026
Zürcher Silvesterlauf
The Zurich Silvesterlauf is a festive city run through central Zurich. There are multiple categories and distances — from short routes for children and families to longer races for ambitious runners, usually on a loop through the old town and central shopping streets.
December 2026
Lichterschwimmen
Zurich’s Lichterschwimmen is an Advent tradition on the Limmat, when many small candle boats fill the city centre with warm light. At 6:00 pm, school students set the boats they have made afloat at Stadthausquai, where they drift downstream.
31 December 2026
Silvesterzauber Zurich
Silvesterzauber Zurich is the city’s large public New Year celebration around the Lake Zurich basin and a fixture for many people at year’s end. Food stands, bars and music areas create a festival atmosphere, before the fireworks over the lake mark the highlight after midnight.