How To Celebrate New Year in Zurich
If you’re in Zurich over the New Year there are lots of activities to get involved in – take a look here to get some ideas and inspiration:
People travel from far and wide to witness the beautiful New Year Fireworks over Lake Zurich. The celebrations begin in the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. Unlike most cities where the fireworks begin on the stroke of midnight, in Zurich they don’t start until 20 minutes past! You can buy tickets to have a VIP grandstand view (and there are various dining options too) or you can simply find a great vantage point around the lake or in the old town and watch and enjoy. There are lots of food and drink vendors all around so you are sure not to go hungry! It is now forbidden to bring your own fireworks into the city for safety reasons. The firework display lasts until around 12.35am.
New Year Fireworks 2022/2023 Program
This year Zurich’s usual New Year Fireworks will be back with an impressive spectacle over Lake Zurich. There is a special ticketed area at Bürkliplatz – but most of the lake area is open for you to choose wherever you want to stand. This is the timetable of events:
14.00 – 03.00 – From 2pm there will be public festivities all around the Zurich lake basin
20:00 – 00.19 – From 8pm many bars will be playing music
23.40 – 23.58 – At 11.40pm the church bells in the city of Zurich will start ringing out the old year
23.59 – At 23.59 there will be a 10 second countdown
00.19 – At 19 minutes past midnight the lights will go out in preparation for the fireworks
00.20 – 00.35 – At 20 minutes past midnight the fireworks will go off around Lake Zurich!
00:35- 02.30 – At 00.35 there will be music in the festival grounds ( please note tickets are required for the enclosure)
03.00 – At 3am all the official New Year celebrations end
04.00 – Last public transport runs
Find out more (in German) here.
NEW YEAR’S MARATHON ZURICH 2022 – 2023
If you’re feeling sporty yo may want to celebrate the last year of the year by running? Zurich’s annual New Year’s Marathon takes place at midnight on 31st December through to the 1st January 2020.
Online registrations for the Marathon close on 27th December at 23h59.
Late registrations take place on 31st December from 7pm – 11pm in the sports hall.
You can read more about the Marathon here.
OTHER NEW YEAR’S EVE ACTIVITIES
New Year’s Eve Concert at Tonhalle 2022
If you fancy listening to classical music there is a New Year’s Eve Concert at the Tonhalle, which you can enjoy. Find out more here.
Irish Celtic Dancing Show in Zurich
Or how about getting tickets to the Irish Celtic Dance Show in Zurich at Theater 11 on 31st December. Take a look here.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise on Lake Zurich
There are a number of dinner cruises takin place on Lake Zurich on New Year’s Ever and as well as a celebratory dinner you usually get to enjoy the fireworks directly on the lake. Find out all about the ZSG New Year’s Eve Cruises on lake here.
New Year’s Gala Dinner at The Dolder Grand
If you’d like to dress up and push the boat out, how about a Gala Dinner at the Dolder Grand and a stay overnight at the hotel?
New Year’s Menu at A Zurich Restaurant
Alternatively, why not book a table at one of your favourite restaurants in Zurich or try a new one? At this time of year many restaurants offer a special menu.
Party The Night Away At A Zurich Night Club
Check out this list of Zurich night clubs with special New Year parties. Most of them open their doors at 10pm or 11pm. See the details of the clubs and their “Silvesterpartys” here.
Silvesterkläuse Celebrations in Appenzell
Alternatively why not take a trip to Urnäsch in Appenzell and see the customary New Year Festival which takes place on 31st December (and again on 13th January). Read all about it here.
Please check for the latest updates on the event here.
Dine At Home With A Cooked Turkey from Park Hyatt or a Wyssmüller Fondue
Another alternative to to dine at home with a ready Cooked Turkey from the Park Hyatt Hotel or maybe a Cheese Fondue from Fondue Wyssmüller.
You might also want to order some champagne and maybe some Swiss Vins Vaudois wine too?
Dinner For One – Same Procedure As Always
Of course, if all else fails you could simply watch the cult short film “Dinner For One” On TV. Find out all about it here.
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