What’s On in Zurich Beginning of September 2026

September is off to a flying start in Zurich, with a fabulous mix of festivals, art, museums, food, cinema and outdoor events to enjoy over the coming weeks. This weekend alone you can head to the Viaduktfäscht in Zurich-West, stay out late for the Long Night of the Museums, discover contemporary art at SWISSARTEXPO at Zurich HB or catch a film for just CHF 7 on Allianz Tag des Kinos. It’s also the beginning of one of Switzerland’s most photogenic times of year as the cow parade season gets underway. If you’ve always wanted to see an Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt or Désalpe, take a look at our complete Swiss Cow Parade Guide here.

There is lots more to look forward to later this month too, including Zurich Design Weeks, the 24H Opernhaus season-opening festival, the Vergani Sound of Wine at the Hallenstadion, Tag der urbanen Produktion and the wonderful slowUp Zürichsee, when 42 km of lakeside roads are handed over to cyclists, walkers and skaters. For something delicious, the Soi Thai Pop-Up is still running in central Zurich, while the spectacular Legends of Lake Lucerne Gourmet Cruise continues until 15th September.

If you’re looking for inspiration for a day out, how about beautiful Gruyere and a visit to the HR Giger Museum and don’t forget our 50 Best Day Trips from Zurich Guide  for more ideas. And if the weather doesn’t behave, we’ve got plenty of rainy-day ideas for Zurich too. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy September in Zurich!

Explore Zurich and Beyond

50 Best Day Trips From Zurich

It’s a wonderful time of year 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, find lots of wet-weather ideas here.

EVENT LISTINGS – Things To Do in Zurich September 2026

SWISSARTEXPO UNTIL 6th SEPTEMBER 2026: Head to Zurich Main Station for SWISSARTEXPO, the free contemporary art exhibition taking place in the Wannerhalle. Discover original artworks, digital art and special events from artists from Switzerland and around the world — all right in the heart of Zurich HB and completely free to visit. Find out more here.

VIADUKTFÄSCHT ZURICH 4th–5th SEPTEMBER 2026: Head to Im Viadukt in Zurich-West for two days of free live music, DJs, street food, drinks and family-friendly entertainment. The festival takes place around the Viadukt arches and Markthalle, with plenty to eat, drink and discover throughout the weekend. Find out more here.

THE LONG NIGHT OF THE MUSEUMS ZURICH – 5th SEPTEMBER: One of Zurich’s biggest cultural nights of the year returns on Saturday 5th September. With one ticket you can visit participating museums throughout the evening and enjoy a host of special exhibitions, performances, activities and surprises along the way. See all the details here.

RUNDFUNKFM ENDS 5th SEPT: The popular FREE RundfunkFM Festival ends on Saturday 5th September. See all the details here. 

MENUHIN FESTIVAL GSTAAD UNTIL 5th SEPTEMBER: Celebrate 70 years of one of Switzerland’s most prestigious classical music festivals as the Menuhin Festival reaches its final days in Gstaad. Expect world-renowned orchestras, internationally acclaimed soloists, intimate church concerts and spectacular performances against the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps. See all the details here.

THE COW PARADES RETURN FROM 5th SEPTEMBER: One of Switzerland’s most beautiful autumn traditions is back! Decorated cows will be making their way down from the Alps throughout September and into October, often accompanied by village celebrations, markets, music and plenty of Swiss atmosphere. See our complete guide to Cow Parades here.

TAG DES KINOS – CHF 7 CINEMA TICKETS 6th SEPTEMBER: Fancy a trip to the cinema for just CHF 7? The annual Allianz Tag des Kinos returns on Sunday 6th September, with participating cinemas across Switzerland offering bargain-price tickets for the day. Popular screenings can fill up quickly, so it’s worth booking ahead. See all the details here.

BSCC NETWORKING DRINKS AT MILCHBAR TUESDAY 8th SEPT: Don’t miss the next British Swiss Chamber of Commerce Networking Drinks event at the Milchbar on Tuesday 8th September. Free to attend for members and non members alike – you just pay for your own drinks. See all the details here. 

BEGINNER BRIDGE STARTING 8TH SEPTEMBER: Autumn Bridge Training from Zero to Competing Player in 10 Weeks. Learn bridge from expert players from a Swiss National Team in this 10-week program designed to take beginners from the basics to competitive play. Register here to Deal Me In.

ZÜRICH CIDER FESTIVAL AT MÜHLE TIEFENBRUNNEN SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER: Discover more than 50 Swiss ciders from over ten producers at the first Zürich Cider Festival at Mühle Tiefenbrunnen in Seefeld. Taking place from 11am–8pm, the festival features everything from traditional apple wine and modern ciders to sparkling apple wines and Ice Cider. Entry is free, with tastings available to purchase on site. Address: Seefeldstrasse 225 Seefeldstrasse 231, just behind Tiefenbrunnen station.

SCONES – BEYOND THE BASICS 13TH SEPTEMBER: You know the basics of baking scones. Now go a step further and explore other flavours, shapes and sizes. There’ll be a mix of savoury and sweet. Whether it’s for an elegant cocktail function or warming bowl of soup, there is a SCONE out there for you!  All proceeds will go to Cancer Support Switzerland. Bakers register today.

SOI THAI POP-UP IN ZURICH UNTIL 13th SEPTEMBER: There is still time to enjoy authentic Thai flavours and a great atmosphere at the popular Soi Thai Pop-Up at Rämistrasse 24, 8001 Zurich. Read all about it here.

TAG DER OFFENEN TÜR AT KUNSTHAUS ZÜRICH SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER: Enjoy a free Open Day at Kunsthaus Zürich from 10am–6pm, with free admission throughout the day and a special programme of activities, talks and events taking place across the museum. It’s a great opportunity to explore the collections and exhibitions, discover the Kunsthaus in a different way and take advantage of the extra programme running especially for the day.

LEGENDS OF LAKE LUCERNE 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 and spectacular Alpine scenery throughout the journey. See all the details here.

ZURICH DESIGN WEEKS 17th–27th SEPTEMBER 2026: Zurich Design Weeks returns for its fifth edition with this year’s theme “OUT OF…”. Discover exhibitions, installations, talks, workshops and design events at more than 40 locations across Zurich, with much of the programme free to visit. The Swiss Design Lounge at the Museum für Gestaltung serves as the festival headquarters. Find out more here.

ERÖFFNUNGSFEST 24H OPERNHAUS 18th–19th SEPTEMBER: The Opernhaus Zürich is kicking off its new season with 24 hours of opera, music, performances and behind-the-scenes experiences. Starting at 22:00 on Friday 18th September and continuing through Saturday 19th September, you can discover the Opera House in a completely different way, with night concerts, tours, performances and even the chance to sleep on stage. Admission is free- some events are ticketed. More info and all the details here.

FOUNDATIONS FOR LEARNING TEACHING ASSISTANT COURSE STARTS 19th SEPTEMBER: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 about this course. You can register for the course here. 

SOUND OF WINE HALLENSTADION 19th SEPTEMBER 2026: Enjoy an unforgettable evening of wine and music at the Hallenstadion with Vergani. It promises to be an amazing event combining wine, music and fabulous entertainment. Bring your friends and enjoy a great evening of fun and celebration. See all the details here.

KOCH & KOHLE CULINARY MARKET 19TH SEPTEMBER: Discover the very first Koch & Kohle market at the Kohlenlagerhalle in Koch-Park, Zürich-Altstetten, from 10am–8pm. More than 50 local producers will be showcasing handmade food, drinks and culinary products, with plenty to taste, discover and buy. Expect everything from artisan bread and bean-to-bar chocolate to granola, ginger drinks and local spirits. Entry is free and the event takes place whatever the weather. More info. 

TANZ AM SUNNTIG – BARFUSSBAR EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL 20th SEPTEMBER: 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.

MIKE CASA STAND-UP COMEDY ZURICH – 23rd SEPTEMBER: Looking for a fun night out? Mike Casa, one of Switzerland’s fastest-rising stand-up comedians, is back with another English-language show in Zurich. Expect sharp observational humour, cultural quirks, travel stories and plenty of audience interaction. See all the details here.

COMEDY NIGHT FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY 24th SEPTEMBER: A fun night out for a very good cause! Stand-up comedian Ahmet Bilge takes to the stage at Comedy Clubhouse Zurich on Thursday 24th September, with proceeds supporting Action for Women, a Swiss nonprofit helping women affected by conflict and gender-based violence. Doors open at 6.30pm at Brauerstrasse 37, 8004 Zurich. Come along for plenty of laughs while supporting an important cause. Tickets here. 

ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL 24th SEPT – 4th OCT: The Zurich Film Festival is back, bringing 133 films, major international premieres, Swiss productions and a stellar line-up of guests to Zurich. This year’s confirmed stars include Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe, Olivia Colman, John Turturro and Richard Linklater. The main festival hub is once again at Sechseläutenplatz, with screenings and special events taking place across the city. Public ticket sales open on 14th September at 10am. See our full ZFF 2026 guide with dates, tickets, stars, venues and top tips here.

FLAVOURS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WINE TASTING 26TH SEPTEMBER: Enjoy an evening of Mediterranean flavours in Oerlikon with selected Italian wines, Port wine and organic olive oil from Portugal. The FREE tasting takes place at the Czech and Slovak Center, Binzmühlestrasse 81, from 4pm-10pm, with grilled snacks available to purchase on site. Reserve your spot by emailing info@weineausportugal.ch.

TAG DER URBANEN PRODUKTION – 26th SEPTEMBER: Discover how things are made right here in Zurich as more than 100 local makers, workshops and production businesses open their doors for the 7th edition of Tag der urbanen Produktion. Expect behind-the-scenes visits, guided experience tours and fascinating insights into Zurich’s production hubs including the VBZ Zentralwerkstätte, YOND Campus and Werkstadt Zürich. More information here.

SLOWUP ZÜRICHSEE 27th SEPTEMBER: Enjoy Lake Zurich without the usual traffic at the slowUp Zürichsee 2026! On Sunday 27th September, 42 km of roads from Zurich via Meilen and Rapperswil-Jona to Schmerikon will be closed to motorised traffic and open to cyclists, skaters, runners and walkers. Join anywhere along the route, go as far as you like and enjoy food stalls, activities and a great lakeside atmosphere. 10am–5pm. FREE. More information here.

WELCOME APERO AT THE AWCZ 30TH SEPTEMBER: New to Zurich or looking to meet new people? Learn more about the AWCZ, our 30+ weekly activities, signature events and philanthropy. The AWCZ has over 380 members from around the world. Whether you like to hike, read or drink cocktails, socialize with a warm, inclusive group of (mostly) expats in a friendly English-speaking environment.  Join the fun here.

MICAS GARTEN UNTIL 3rd OCTOBER 2026: Make the most of the last weeks of one of Zurich’s most popular summer hangouts, with food stalls, bars, music and a relaxed garden atmosphere. Perfect for after-work drinks or weekend lounging. See all the details here.

QS MBA & MASTER’S EVENT ZURICH 8th OCTOBER: Thinking about taking the next step in your career with an MBA or Master’s degree? Meet representatives from leading international universities and business schools including INSEAD, Oxford Saïd, HEC Paris, London Business School, Bocconi and more at the QS MBA and Master’s Event Zurich at the Zurich Marriott Hotel. Get advice on applications, funding, GMAT/GRE, career opportunities and scholarships, plus join an interactive career session hosted by INSEAD and enjoy networking drinks. You can read all about it here. Thursday 8th October, 17:30–21:00. Free entry, advance registration required. Register here.

OLMA FESTIVAL ST GALLEN – 8TH–18TH OCTOBER: One of Switzerland’s best-known agricultural fairs returns to St Gallen for its 83rd edition. OLMA brings together livestock shows, Swiss traditions, food, regional specialities, shopping, entertainment and of course the famous piglet races. This year’s guest canton is Schwyz, and the festival runs for 11 days across the Olma Messen St.Gallen grounds. It’s a great autumn day trip from Zurich and a fun way to experience Swiss rural culture. See our full guide to OLMA 2026 here.

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Interested in working with children or developing your learning-support skills? The Foundations for Learning Teaching Assistant Course starts on 19th September and takes place one Saturday per month in Stadelhofen, Zurich.

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QS MBA & MASTER’S EVENT ZURICH 8th OCTOBER

 Thinking about taking the next step in your career with an MBA or Master’s degree? Meet representatives from leading international universities and business schools including INSEAD, Oxford Saïd, HEC Paris, London Business School, Bocconi and more at the QS MBA and Master’s Event Zurich at the Zurich Marriott Hotel. Get advice on applications, funding, GMAT/GRE, career opportunities and scholarships, plus join an interactive career session hosted by INSEAD and enjoy networking drinks.

You can read all about it here.

Thursday 8th October, 17:30–21:00. Free entry, advance registration required.

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MORE IDEAS IN ZURICH

ACTION PASS FOR OVER 60s: If you or anyone you know is over 60, the ZVV Action Pass is available for one month of unlimited travel on the network with lots of additional offers, including free entry to selected museums and attractions. All the details here

ZURICH WINE FESTIVAL 12TH – 18TH OCTOBER: The Zurich Wine Festival returns for its seventh edition with a full week of wine, food, masterclasses and special experiences across the city. This year’s programme features 450+ wines, with Rioja as the official Focus Region, alongside Swiss wines from Ticino, Vaud and Zurich. Highlights include Aperitivo Day, the main Wine Expo at Papiersaal from 16th–18th October, masterclasses and, for the first time, a Sunday Wine Brunch. Tickets are available now at zurichwinefestival.ch.

GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS UNTIL 18th OCTOBER 2026: Experience one of Switzerland’s most beautiful journeys on the Gotthard Panorama Express, combining a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne with a panoramic train ride along the historic Gotthard route between Lucerne and Lugano. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, the famous Wassen Church and the wonderful contrast between Central Switzerland and sunny Ticino. Find out all about it here.

FLOAT DOWN THE LIMMAT AND KEEP COOL: If September brings some late summer sunshine, why not keep cool by floating down the Limmat? All you need to know here.

TOP ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS ZURICH: Make the most of sunny September days at one of Zurich’s rooftop restaurants and bars. Perfect for a meal or a drink with stunning views. See the list here.

RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR TERRACES: There is still plenty of time for alfresco dining if the weather behaves. Check out our list of restaurants with great outdoor terraces. Take a look here.

BADI SEASON: Enjoy the last of summer by  heading to a Zurich Badi whilst they are still open. Check out this list of great Badis.

6 GREAT CIRCULAR HIKES WORTH TRYING: Early autumn is a fabulous time to get out walking. Check out these six 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 and offers a full year of mountain access. 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. See all the details here.

VISIT KÄPFNACH COAL MINE IN HORGEN: Why not head over to Horgen, put on a hard hat and ride 1.4 kilometres through the historic tunnels of one of Switzerland’s largest former coal mines? Combine your underground adventure with a scenic walk through the nearby Aabachtobel for a fascinating family day out. See all the details 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. 

PARKING IN ZURICH: Parking in Zurich explained – blue zones, white zones, car parks and more. 

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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COIFFEUR-ARTÉ HAIRDRESSERS ZURICH – 20% off all services on your 1st appointment at Coiffeur Arté when you mention NEWINZURICH. Tel: 044 482 99 33.

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