ZIWA

What's on in Zürich and Switzerland

Winter 2010




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
    www.spirgarten.ch
  • 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
    www.opernhaus.ch
  • 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
    www.kaufleuten.com
  • 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
    www.maagmusichall.ch
  • 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/
And around the regions:
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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