What's on in Zürich and Switzerland
Winter 2010
What else to do in Zürich:
Winter is a time when many people look forward to enjoying the snow and taking part in the many winter sports activities on offer here in Switzerland. But it's also a time for attending concerts, shows and exhibitions, many of which have also become a winter tradition. Plus there are the various Fasnacht festivals taking place, especially in the cities of Basel, Luzern and Zürich.
So look no further to find out what's happening when, and take advantage of the many possibilities at this time of year.
Tickets for many shows can be booked online at www.ticketcorner.com. Some station ticket offices also sell event tickets.
See also our report about favourite ski resorts.
In Zürich:
- Feiertage New Year's Day, 1 January 2010,
Bertholdstag 2 January 2010
http://www.feiertagskalender.ch/ - Live on Ice at the Landesmuseum Zürich, till 3 January 2010
www.liveonice.ch - Themed boat trips on the Zürichsee throughout the winter season. You can try a fondue ship, a murder mystery trip, a dinner and dance ship and more.
http://zsg.ch/index.php?traumschiffe-nach-thema - Classical Concerts at the Tonhalle A full season of concerts starting on 2 January 2010. See this link: www.tonhalle.ch
- Three Kings Day, 6 January 2010
Look out for the special baked crowns with the hidden king. Whoever finds the king gets to wear the golden crown for a day - 3 Internationale Fest und Hochzeitsmesse 9 - 10 January 2010.
Wedding and special celebration fair at the Messezentrum Zürich-Oerlikon.
www.hochzeitsmesse-zuerich.ch - Exhibition at the Rietberg Museum, Rajasthan, Kings and Warriors, until 10 January 2010
www.rietberg.ch - Exhibitions at the Kunsthaus Georges Seurat. Figure in Space. Continuing at the Kunsthaus Zürich, till 17 Jan 2010
From Neo-Impressionism to Fauvism, till 14 February 2010
www.kunsthaus.ch - Shows at the Neues Theater Spirgarten Check out this new theatre venue in the Seminar Spirgarten Hotel in Zürich:
- Hair, 9 -10 January 2010
- The Dubliners, 5 February 2010
- Phantom of the Opera, 15 February 2010
- The Cavern Beatles, 21 February 2010
- Opera House Premières in winter 2010
- Elektra by Strauss, 23 January 2010
- Idomeneo by Mozart, 20 February 2010
- Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach, 13 March 2010
- Frank Bridge Variations (Britten)/Firebird (Stravinsky) Ballet, 27 March 2010
- Alter Silvester, Old Silvester parade, Appenzell 13 Jan 2010
The calendar change from the Julian to the Gregorian in the 16th century, when 13 days were lost, is celebrated by a colourful parade of so-called 'Silvesterchlausen' through the streets of Appenzell.
www.appenzell.ch/en/pages/culture_customs/silvesterchlausen - Show at Theater 11
Blue Man Group, 16 January to 28 February 2010. www.theater11.ch - Shows at the Kongresshaus Try this link for the concert and entertainment program: www.kongresshaus.ch. Below are some of the highlights:
- Phantom of the Opera, 4 January 2010
- Bo Katzman Chor, 15 January 2010
- Michael Bolton, 22 January 2010
- Lord of the Dance, 13-14 February 2010
- Chinese New Year Concert, 14 February at 11.00
- The Ten Tenors, 19-21 February 2010
- Marizo, Fado Diva, 11 March 2010
- Paco de Lucia, King of Flamenco, 19 March 2010
- The Night of Musicals, 28 March 2010
- Concerts at Kaufleuten in an intimate atmosphere - here's a selection:
- Angelique Kidjo, 16 January 2010
- The Lounge Concerts: Chamber Soul, 20 January, 17 February, 10 March 2010
- Charlie Winston, 27 January 2010
- Strozzini, 27 January 2010
- Joan Armatrading, 6 March 2010
- Angie Stone, 9 March 2010
- Shows at the Hallenstadion Zürich Many have their own website too. Here's a selection of events. See the whole program at this link:
www.hallenstadion.ch- Abba, The Show, 22 January 2010. www.topact.ch
- Excalibur, the Celtic Rock Opera, 21 January 2010
- 'Elvis Presley in Concert', 22 January 2010
- Mercedes-CSI 'Augenweide', equestrian gala, one of the world's top equestrian events, 29-31 January 2010. www.mercedes-csi.ch
- GymRock - gymnastics, dance and acrobatics, 13 February 2010
- André Rieu in Wonderland, Dutch violinist, 26 - 27 February 2010
- Art on Ice - featuring Anastacia, David Garrett and Seven, 4 - 7 March 2010 www.artonice.com
- The Cranberries, 17 March 2010
- Tokio Hotel, 31 March 2010
- Concerts and shows at Maag Event Hall, Zurich West
- Nneka, 22 January 2010
- Schellen Ursli - a Musical for Children, begins 7 February 2010
- Backyard Babies, 11 February 2010
- Emilie Autumn, 25 February 2010
- Jan Delay & Disco No. 1, 21 March 2010
- Lovebugs, 25 March 2010
- Fespo Holiday and Leisure Fair, 28-31 January 2010. At the Messezentrum Zürich. www.whatsonwhen.com
- Valentine's Day 14 February 2010. Send a card to your loved one, or surprise them with red roses!
- Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday 16-17 February 2010. Tuesday is Pancake Day in the UK; Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of 40 days of the Lenten fasting period, leading up to Easter.
www.feiertagskalender.ch - Zürich Carnival Münsterhofplatz, 19-21 February 2010
The Protestant cantons celebrate carnival after the beginning of Lent, with bands, costumes and a parade on Sunday in Zürich.
www.zurichcarneval.ch - Fasnacht Zürich 22 February 2010
www.feiertagskalender.ch - Salsa Festival Switzerland 26-28 February 2010
www.kongresshaus.ch - Opera Ball Opera House Zürich, 6 March 2010
www.opernhaus.ch - Beauty Forum Swiss at the Messezentrum, 6-7 March 2010
www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events/beauty-forum-swiss.html - Bottoms Up - The History of Drinks and Drinking in Switzerland, at the Swiss National Museum, Zürich till 7 March 2010 (closed Mondays)
www.landesmuseum.ch - BNP Paribas Zürich Open Tennis at the Saalsporthalle Zürich, 9 - 13 March 2010
http://www.worldticketshop.com/tennis/bnp_paribas_zurich_open_tickets - Mother's Day in the UK 14 March 2010
- Expovina Primavera 18 to 25 March 2010. The well-known wine fair has its spring show in March at Halle 9 at the Messezentrum in Zurich Oerlikon. More space to explore all those delicious wines!
www.expovina-primavera.ch/
- Adelboden
FIS Men's Ski World Cup - giant slalom, 9-10 Jan 2010
www.weltcup-adelboden.ch - Basel
Basel Fasnacht Aldstadt Basel 22-24 February 2010
This is the biggest and most colourful carnival parade in Switzerland. The Morgestraich begins at 4:00am on the Monday, lights in the town are turned out and there are candle-lit parades with costumed musicians over a 3-day period. A must-see once during your stay in Switzerland.
www.myswitzerland.com - Crans-Montana
Ballooning festival 16-18 Jan 2010
www.whatsonwhen.com - Geneva
International Motor Show at Palexpo, 4-14 March 2010
www.whatsonwhen.com - Grindelwald
World Snow Festival for 6 days in January, 18-23 January 2010
www.whatsonwhen.com - Lausanne
Art on Ice 8-9 March 2010 with Stephane Lambiel, Anastacia and co
www.artonice.com - Luzern
- New Year's Ball 23 January 2010 at the KKL, with the Vienna Opera Ball orchestra
www.whatsonwhen.com - Fasnacht in the Aldstadt, 11-16 Feb 2010
The Catholic canton celebrates Fasnacht before Lent with masks, costumes and bands
www.luzerner-fasnacht.ch; www.myswitzerland.com
- New Year's Ball 23 January 2010 at the KKL, with the Vienna Opera Ball orchestra
- St Moritz
- Art on Ice starring Stéphane Lambiel 12 Feb 2010
www.artonice.com - White Turf International Horse Races, Switzerland's most prestigious equestrian event on snow, Sundays 7, 14 and 21 February 2010
www.whiteturf.ch
- Art on Ice starring Stéphane Lambiel 12 Feb 2010
- Wengen
FIS Men's Alpine Skiing World Cup - downhill ski race, 13 - 17 Jan 2010
www.whatsonwhen.com
Julia Newton and Joan Nicholas, December 2009