What's on in Zürich and around in the region
Summer 2008
What else to do in Zürich:
Summer is the perfect time to stay in Switzerland and enjoy the normally sunny weather, the lakes and mountains. Swiss National Day is the big celebration everywhere, with official firework displays beside the lakes. The Zürich Street Parade is also a huge event. Take advantage of the open-air music festivals, concerts, cinema and theatre. Here are some suggestions as to what's on when:
- Rapperswil Jazz Festival, 27 to 29 June 2008
Featuring Candy Dulfer and others, including local bands. www.bluesnjazz.ch - At the Opera House in Zürich
Carmen, opens 28 June 2008 www.opernhaus.ch - Zürcher Festspiele, until 13 July 08
For an antidote to the football, the Zürich Festival is a medley of opera performances, concerts, plays, dance and fringe theatre at various locations in and around the city.
www.zuercher-festspiele.ch www.myswitzerland.com - School holidays
- International Schools:
- ZIS 21 June to 18 August 2008 www.zis.ch
- ICS 21 June to 27 August 2008 www.icsz.ch
- Swiss Schools have six weeks' holiday this year: 14 July to 22 August 2008 in Canton Zürich. Other cantons and Gemeinden may vary. www.stadt-zuerich.ch
- International Schools:
- Seeüberquerung, 2 July 2008 (reserve dates 9 July and 20 August)
The annual supervised swim across the lake from Mythenquai to Tiefenbrunnen will take place if the minimum water temperature is 21 degrees C. www.seeueberquerung.ch - Concerts at the Hallenstadion
- Lou Reed 2 July 2008
- Energy 08 9 August
- R.E.M. 24 September
- Caliente Latin Festival, 4-6 July at Helvetiaplatz www.whatsonwhen.com
- Iron Man Triathlon, 12-13 July 2008
The big event for men on Sunday 13 July starts at Zurichhorn with the swim, then cycling 180 km. around the lake to Landiwiese, then the run along the Seestrasse up "Heartbreak Hill" through Rüschlikon and back to Landiwiese. It's a big spectator event all along the route. www.whatsonwhen.com - Orange Open-Air Cinema at Zürichhorn, 17 July -17 August 2008
Program published 29 June, booking opens 1 July 2008. Films this year include The Bucket List and Charlie Wilson's War. Have a great evening out under the stars.
www.orangecinema.ch - Swiss National Day, 1 August 2008 - a national Feiertag
Commemorating the signing of the Swiss Confederation in 1291, this national festival is celebrated everywhere. Local celebrations have given way in recent years to one major event in each city and lakeside town. There will be fireworks on the lake at Bürkliplatz and in other major towns, and a barbecue at Uto Kulm in Zürich.
www.myswitzerland.com - Swiss Inline Cup, 3 August 2008 around the Zürichsee www.whatsonwhen.com
- Street Parade, 9 August 2008
The parade begins in the early afternoon at Utoquai and proceeds towards Bellevue, Quaibrücke and Bürkliplatz, arriving at Hafendamm Enge. There are street parties all over the town and it gets very crowded so leave your car at home. Fun but noisy!
www.whatsonwhen.com - Jazz Concerts in Zürich
- Lee Ritenour 6 August 2008 at Kaufleuten
- Colbie Caillet 12 September at the Volkshaus
- Sophie Zelmani 20 September at the Kongresshaus
- Soha 26 September at Kaufleuten
For other jazz events in hotels and bars, see www.zuerich.com - Theater Spektakel, 13 - 31 August at Landiwiese
A varied program of theatre events in the specially constructed hall. Extra trams and buses will run. www.whatsonwhen.com - Medieval Spectacular (Mittelalter Spectaculum), 22 - 24 August on the Münsterhof www.whatsonwhen.com
- Weltklasse Zürich, 29 August 2008
Golden League athletics event at Letzigrund.
http://www.weltklassezuerich.ch/en/index.html - Exhibitions "Shifting Identities" Swiss Art at the Kunsthaus , till 31 August 2008 www.kunsthaus.ch
- Saul Steinberg - Illuminations, 22 August till 2 November 2008 www.kunsthaus.ch
- The Long Night of the Museums, 6 September 2008
Once a year, Zurich's museums and galleries stay open late. For CHF 25, a single ticket grants night-owls admission to more than 40 museums and attractions, as well as the Zurich Zoo. The price includes free public transport via shuttle bus, tram, ship and even rental bike - if you're feeling sporty. Special lectures, concerts and other live performances add to the festivities, while refreshments provide much-needed sustenance for museum-goers.
www.langenacht.ch - Porgy and Bess at Theater 11, 9 - 12 September 2008 www.theater11.ch
- Knabenschiessen,
- 12 - 14 September at Albisguetli
- 15 September is a half-day holiday in Zürich City
- Freestyle - international snowboard, skateboard and BMX event , 26 - 28 September at Landiwiese www.whatsonwhen.com
- Circus Monti, 5 September to 5 October 2008 at Bellevue www.whatsonwhen.com
- Tutenkhamun, his Tomb and its Treasures at the Toni-Areal Zürich, extended till 7 September 08 www.tut-ausstellung.com
And further afield ...
Summer is also the time for the big music and film festivals in Switzerland. But many get booked up months in advance, and so do the nearby hotels.
- Frauenfeld Openair rock concert with Jay-Z and others, 11 to 13 July 2008
Special railaway tickets available. www.railaway.ch - Montreux Jazz Festival, 4 - 19 July 2008
Featuring Joan Baez, Quincy Jones, Leonard Cohen and Gnarls Barkley.
www.montreuxjazz.com - Locarno Film Festival, 6 to 16 August 2008 www.pardo.ch
- Jazz Night Zug, 21 and 22 August 2008
On the Landsgemeindeplatz in Zug beside the lake, this is a great outdoor music experience with mainly local musicians. Get there early for a seat in one of the terrace restaurants. www.jazznight.ch - Lucerne Festival, 13 August to 21 September 2008
Classical concerts at the KKL beside the lake in Luzern. There are still some tickets available. www.lucernefestival.ch - Fête des Vendages, Neuchâtel, 26 - 28 September 2008
Parades of music and flowers to celebrate the grape harvest. Plus lots of wine to be tasted! www.fetes-des-vendages.ch
by Julia Newton, 26 June 2008
Previous Report: What's on in Zürich - Spring 2008