What’s On in Zurich Early to Mid August 2026
Wishing you a great weekend and week ahead! The main event this weekend in Zurich is Street Parade! Read all about it here. There is also the impressive Seenachtfest taking place in Rapperswil and the Tavolata des Vins du Valais event running in various locations in Valais (& even soon in Zurich) from 1st – 31st August. On 12th August the Solar Eclipse will be taking place. The FREE RundfunkFM festival is on daily and The Palm 3 is taking place at the Kongresshaus. There are still plenty of open air Music Festivals and Open Air Cinemas. Don’t forget it will soon be the Limmat Swim and the Theater Spektakel too.
Over in Gstaad the Menuhin Festival is on with lots of great musical concerts. Do check out our updated Café Guide, our Matcha Guide our rooftop bar guide and our guide to restaurants with an outdoor terrace. If you need some inspiration for 50 day trips from Zurich take a look here. 
Above the Tavolata des Vins du Valais. Lots more events and exhibitions listed below. Have fun whatever you do!
Summer Ideas For Kids
And if you have children aged 6 – 16 years make sure to get them the Kids ZVV Sommerferienpass for 2026 which costs just CHF 30 and gives them unlimited free travel as well as free entry to lots of attractions. All the details here.
Explore Zurich and Beyond
50 Best Day Trips From Zurich
It’s the perfect time to explore Switzerland from Zurich – check out our guide to the 50 Best Day trips here.
- For locations 2 hours or more from Zurich take a look here.
- 31 ideas for excursions from Zurich.
- 31 ideas and activities for children and teenagers
- Ideas for trips further afield in Switzerland (2 hours or more away)
- For cloudy or rainy days in Zurich, some ideas and for wet weather here.
EVENT LISTINGS
Things To Do in Zurich Early to Mid August 2026
STREET PARADE 2026 – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Check out our guide to Street Parade 2026! Please be aware that large parts of the city will be closed to cars and there will be loud music and amazing costumes everywhere! It really is the one day of the year that Zurich lets its hair down. Find out more here.
LULU STREET PARADE TERRACE PARTY 8th JULY TICKETS NOW ON SALE: Watch Street Parade from one of Zurich’s most sought-after locations with a ticket to Chez Lulu’s private terrace at the Opernhaus. Enjoy unbeatable parade views, a lively atmosphere, a BBQ grill station, a special à la carte menu and drinks available to purchase throughout the day. Tickets are CHF 80 per person and include access to the terrace with both seating and standing areas. The party takes place whatever the weather, making it a great option if you’re looking for a more relaxed Street Parade experience away from the crowds. Address: Lulu Restaurant, Sechseläutenplatz 1, 8001 Zürich. Get your tickets here. Find out more about Street Parade here. 
AMERON BELLERIVE STREET PARADE DAY RAVE TICKETS NOW ON SALE: Experience the Street Parade from one of Zurich’s most exclusive lakeside vantage points at the AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac. Enjoy front-row views of the Love Mobiles, a welcome drink, an extensive buffet, live DJ sets by Pure Glow Radio, access to the hotel’s private terrace and plenty of Glow-themed surprises throughout the afternoon. The Day Rave runs from 13:00–21:00 and tickets cost CHF 175. Address: AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac, Utoquai 47, 8008 Zürich. Get your tickets here. Find out more about Street Parade here.
ZURICH MUSIC WEEK 3rd–9th AUGUST: Zurich Music Week brings together artists, music professionals and fans for a packed programme of masterclasses, conferences, networking events, showcases and live performances across the city. Whether you’re in the music industry or simply love discovering new talent, there’s plenty to enjoy. More information here.
SEENACHT FEST RAPPERSWIL 7th–9th AUGUST: One of the biggest summer highlights on Lake Zurich returns to Rapperswil-Jona! Three days of live music, delicious food, entertainment, fairground rides and a spectacular fireworks display, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the historic lakeside town. It’s the perfect excuse for a summer day trip from Zurich. See all the details here.
SOLAR ECLIPSE ZURICH 12th AUGUST: All you need to know about the Solar Eclipse in Zurich – take a look here.
ZVV 9-UHR-TAGESPASS – 50% OFF (1–16 AUGUST): Looking for an affordable summer day out? From now until 16th August, the ZVV 9-Uhr-Tagespass is available at half price when purchased in the ZVV App. That means unlimited travel across the entire ZVV network – including trains, trams, buses, boats and cable cars – from 9am on weekdays (or all day at weekends and public holidays). It’s the perfect excuse to explore Zurich, enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Zurich, discover charming lakeside towns or head off on a spontaneous day trip – all for a fraction of the usual price. The offer is only available via the ZVV App and is valid for all zones. See all the details here.
WINTERTHURER MUSIKFESTWOCHEN NOW UNTIL 16th AUGUST: One of Switzerland’s best-loved open-air music festivals is back in Winterthur, the Musikfestwochen, with an exciting line-up of international and Swiss artists. Alongside the concerts, you’ll find a lively festival atmosphere with food, drinks and entertainment in the heart of the city. Find out more about this and other Music Festivals on now in Switzerland here.
KUNSTHAUS ZÜRICH – SUMMER FAMILY OFFER UNTIL 16th AUGUST: Looking for a family-friendly day out? Until 16th August, children and teenagers up to 18 years old receive free admission to Kunsthaus Zürich when accompanied by an adult. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover one of Switzerland’s leading art museums together. Find out more about the Kunsthaus here. And find out about the offer here.
DOLDER WELLEN OPEN-AIR CINEMA ON NOW – 16th AUG: One of our favourite Open Air Cinemas at the Dolder Wellen Kino has just opened . See more information on the Dolder Weller Open Air Cinema here.
LA TAVOLATA DES VINS DU VALAIS ON NOW – 31st AUGUST: Wine and dine under the open skies in a vineyard or beautiful location in selected places all over Switzerland from 1st – 31st August. There is even a Tavolata taking place in Zurich on 27th, 28th and 29th August too. Find out all about these great events here.
ALLIANZ OPEN AIR CINEMA ZÜRICHHORN NOW – 16th AUGUST: A great place to watch your open air cinema right by the lake at Zürichhorn – see the selection of films and the food offerings for 2026. See all the details here.
ZÜRCHER THEATER SPEKTAKEL 13th – 30th AUGUST: One of Zurich’s biggest summer cultural festivals returns to the Landiwiese with an exciting programme of international theatre, dance, circus, music and free outdoor performances. Set on the shores of Lake Zurich, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy world-class entertainment, great food and a vibrant festival atmosphere. Festival site free entry and tickets required for many performances. See all the details here.
THE PALM 3 SUMMER POP‑UP AT THE LUX TILL 15th AUGUST: Until 15th August, the popular Palm 3 pop‑up is on at the Lux Restaurant & Bar on the Kongresshaus terrace. With palm trees, lake views and a chilled party atmosphere it is the perfect place for sundowners or an evening out with friends. LUX Restaurant Zurich, Claridenstrasse 3, 8001 Zurich. See all the details here.
SEA GRILL POP UP AT LAKE SIDE TILL 16th AUGUST: Don’t miss the delicious Sea Grill Pop up with freshly grilled meat, seafood and lobster. Delicious and great views. Be quick though it ends soon! See all the details here.
ST. MORITZ GOURMET FESTIVAL 25TH – 30TH AUG: One of Switzerland’s most prestigious culinary events has a major change this year: for the first time, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival moves from winter to summer. Taking place across St. Moritz and the Upper Engadine, the festival brings together acclaimed international and Swiss chefs for gourmet dinners, special culinary experiences and creative new summer events, all against the beautiful Engadine mountain backdrop. The festival has been celebrating top-level gastronomy since 1994 and attracts more than 2,000 food lovers. See all the details and programme here.
SOI THAI POP UP IN ZURICH JUST OPENED!: Don’t miss authentic Thai flavours and a great atmosphere at the popular Soi Thai pop up at Rämistrasse 24, 8001 Zurich. Read all about it here.
RESTAURANT PUR HURDEN – A HIDDEN GEM: If you’re looking for a lakeside restaurant directly on the shores of Lake Zurich, Pur Hurden is a real find. With relaxed holiday vibes, the food is absolutely delicious and the backdrop is stunning. Find out all about it here.
BESTSELLING AUTHOR WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG IN ZURICH 17th AUGUST: Meet William Paul Young, author of the global bestseller The Shack, at an exclusive evening in Zurich. Enjoy an inspiring talk, an exclusive preview of his new book Return to the Shack before its worldwide release, plus a live Q&A. 17:30–19:30. In English. CHF 60. Hiltl Academy, Sihlstrasse 28, 8001 Zurich. See details here.
FOUNDATIONS FOR LEARNING TEACHING ASSISTANT COURSE 2026–2027 STARTS 19 SEPT: Interested in working with children or developing your learning-support skills? This practical English-language course covers motivation, attention difficulties, maths and reading, speech and language development, autism and more. Sessions take place one Saturday per month in Stadelhofen, Zurich, starting 19th September from 09:30–13:30. No specific prerequisites are required and places are limited to 22 participants. Find out more here.
MENUHIN FESTIVAL GSTAAD NOW TILL 5th SEPTEMBER: Celebrate 70 years of one of Switzerland’s most prestigious classical music festivals as the Menuhin Festival returns to Gstaad. The festival offers a varied program of world-renowned orchestras, internationally acclaimed soloists, intimate church concerts and spectacular performances. All set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps. Whether you’re a classical music lover or just want an unforgettable summer experience, this is one festival not to miss. See all the details here.
Fire and Grill Ban
Please see the details on the Fire Ban that has been introduced by Stadt Zurich.
SUMMER OPEN AIR CINEMAS IN ZURICH: The Summer Open Air Cinema Season is in full swing. See the details here.
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KUNSTHAUS: MARISOL NOW UNTIL 23rd AUG: New exhibition at the Kunsthaus. Big, bold, and slightly surreal. Marisol’s sculptural figures stare back – somewhere between pop art and quiet chaos. Worth lingering longer than you planned. Address: Heimplatz 1, 8001 Zürich. Find out more about the Kunsthaus here.
4TH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF ZURICH CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 3rd SEPT: Enjoy a day of golf in the spectacular Alpine setting of Andermatt at the 4th American International Club of Zurich Charity Golf Tournament. Taking place at Andermatt Golf Course, the tournament will be played as a 4-person scramble. For more information and registration, contact aicz@golf.ch
SUMMER OPEN AIR MUSIC FESTIVALS SWITZERLAND: Check out our guide to Summer open air music festivals in Switzerland here.
WHERE TO SHOP ON SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: If you have just arrived and have forgotten that the shops close on Sundays and other public holidays, see where you can shop here.
COOL DOWN AT THE BEACH CLUB AT THE HERMITAGE LUCERNE: Escape the heat and chill! Why not head down to Lucerne for a relaxing day at the beautiful Beach Club at the Hotel Hermitage in Lucerne? You can book a fantastic Day Bed Package with drinks and food – or alternatively just show up and head to the lakeside for a delicious meal directly on the water. It’s the perfect place to chill! Open daily (weather permitting) from 2pm weekdays and 12 noon at the weekends. See all the details here.
RELAX AND EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL SAVOGNIN (pictured above): Explore the beautiful region of Val Surses and Graubünden from the conveniently located AVES hotel in Savognin. It’s ideally located close to the gondola station and the lake and offers all you need for the perfect holiday location in the Swiss mountains. Find out all about it here.
FLOAT DOWN THE LIMMAT AND KEEP COOL: Why not keep cool by floating down the Limmat ? All you need to know here.
TOP ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS ZURICH : Check out these great rooftop restaurants and bars in Zurich. Perfect for a meal or a drink with a stunning views. See the list here.
RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR TERRACES: Check out our list of restaurants with great outdoor terraces (we will be adding more to this all summer). Take a look here.
BADI SEASON: When the sun shines, there’s nothing better than going to the Badi. Check out this list of great Badis.
6 GREAT CIRCULAR HIKES WORTH TRYING: Check out these 6 great circular hikes not far from Zurich. See all the details here.
MAGIC PASS – MOUNTAIN PASS: If you love exploring the mountains in Summer and skiing in winter, don’t miss the Magic Pass which gives access to over 110 resorts in Switzerland, France and Italy it offers a full year of mountain access at very reasonable prices. Please note, however that the pricing increases in stages so the earlier you buy it, the cheaper it is. See all the details here.
CLASSIC CAR AND OLDTIMER FESTIVALS SWITZERLAND 2026: Check out these great Classic Car Festivals taking place all over Switzerland this summer. See all the details here.
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New In Zurich – Welcome!
Guide For The Newly Arrived in Zurich
If you have recently arrived in Zurich we have updated our Guide for people who are “New in Zurich”with all the key information you need when you arrive in Switzerland – take a look here.
Comprehensive guide for newcomers.
Check out our other top tips for newcomers here.
If you’re planning to leave Zurich take a look here.
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LEGENDS OF LAKE LUCERNE ON NOW UNTIL 15TH SEPTEMBER: If you’re looking for a truly special Swiss experience, Legends of Lake Lucerne is a five-hour luxury gourmet cruise aboard the historic paddle steamer Gallia. Limited to just 65 guests, the experience includes a regional five-course gourmet menu, free-flowing wine, champagne and soft drinks, fascinating storytelling about Lake Lucerne and its steamship history, and spectacular Alpine scenery throughout the journey. See all the details here.
SOUND OF WINE HALLENSTADION 19th SEPT 2026: An evening of wine and music at the Hallenstadion with Vergani. It promises to be an amazing event. See all the details here.
TANZ AM SUNNTIG – BARFUSSBAR EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL 20th SEPT: End the weekend dancing above the Limmat at one of Zurich’s most magical summer venues. Tanz am Sunntig brings DJs, great music and an unforgettable atmosphere to the Barfussbar in the historic Frauenbadi. Dance barefoot under the stars from 20:00, with drinks and snacks available throughout the evening. Entry CHF 16. More info.
ZURICH OPERA HOUSE PERFORMANCES: Check out the latest performances at Zurich Opera House here.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT SUMMER READ? BEATRICE LESSI EXTREME ADVENTURES: Beatrice Lessi from Zurich has just published her new book Extreme Adventures and it’s a page turner! Get yours here for a great summer read!
INTERVIEW WITH DORIAN EICHHOLZER ROM THE SEEÜBERQUERUNG: Read our interview with Dorian Eichholzer who helps organize the Seeüberquerung Swim across the lake. Take a look here.
FOOD IN ZURICH AND BEYOND
BEST BURGERS IN ZURICH: We’ve updated our burger list – check it out here.
BEST CAFÉS IN ZURICH – UPDATED GUIDE: Check out our guide to some of the top cafés in Zurich. See our suggested cafés here.
TOP 12 MATCHA SPOTS IN ZURICH: Take a look at our guide to the top Matcha Spots in Zurich here.
REMISE ROSA URBAN GARDEN ZURICH: Just opened this summer, the new Remise Rosa urban garden not far from Hardbrücke is a great place to go for a relaxed drink or to eat out with friends. See all the details here.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT BAR IN ZURICH? Zurich has a vibrant bar scene – so if you’re looking for somewhere great to go for a drink, take a look here and check out our guide.
TOP ICE CREAM SPOTS IN ZURICH: Check out these awesome places for ices in Zurich.
FOOD & RESTAURANT GUIDE: Check out our Food and Restaurant Guide for more suggestions here.
MICAS GARTEN OPEN UNTIL 3rd OCTOBER 2026: One of Zurich’s most beloved summer hangouts is now open for the summer with food stalls, bars, music and a relaxed garden atmosphere. Perfect for after-work drinks or weekend lounging. Until 3rd October. See all the details here.
EXPLORE THE ALTSTADT IN ZURICH: If you’ve got visitors over, or you simply want to explore Zurich for yourself, why not spend a couple of hours of so in the beautiful old town in Zurich. Find out more here.
MUSIC AND JAZZ AT RANK ZURICH: See details of the upcoming music and entertainment at Rank Zurich.Take a look here.
TONHALLE ZURICH: See what’s on at the Tonhalle Zurich. See their latest program here.
INTERNATIONAL COMEDY CLUB IN ZURICH: The International Comedy Club Zurich has lots of new Stand Up events coming soon. Take a look here.
THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY IN ZURICH: There’s plenty to do on a rainy or cloudy day in and around Zurich. Take a look here.
NEW IN ZURICH? NEW IN SWITZERLAND?
==>> SEE OUR NEWLY UPDATED GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW IN ZURICH HERE
MORE TIPS FOR NEWCOMERS: See our our top tips for newcomers here as well as some more tips to help you feel at home here.
FIND OUT ALL ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN ZURICH HERE: Tips on the different public transport options and types of tickets available in Zurich. Read the details here.
LANDQUART SHOPPING OUTLET OPEN SUNDAYS: Struggling to go shopping for more than basics on a Sunday, why not head to Landquart Fashion Outlet (open 363 days a year) see details here.
SHARED LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Find yourself sharing laundry facilities in your new apartment? Find out all about this Swiss phenomenon here.
WHERE TO SELL ONLINE IN SWITZERLAND: Find out where you can sell stuff online in Switzerland here.
SPEEDING FINES IN SWITZERLAND: Things you need to know about Speeding in Switzerland. Read the article here.
EXCHANGING YOUR DRIVING LICENCE: As soon as you arrive in Switzerland and receive your Ausweis, you should make arrangement to exchange your driving licence. See all the steps you need to undertake here.
RECOMMENDED HAIRDRESSERS: See our list of recommended hairdressers in Zurich here.
TRANSITIONING TO SWITZERLAND WITH CHILDREN: Top tips when transitioning to Switzerland with children. Read the article here.
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