Thursday: Bongeziwe Combines Africa With Electronica

Friday: Mayday, Mayday Mayday. Time To Hit The Streets? (Scroll ⬇️)

Friday: Mayday, Mayday Mayday. Time To Hit The Dancefloor? (Scroll ⬇️)

Saturday: Schallfenster Organise Another Party: The Parking

Sunday: A Relaxing Flohmi By The Lake?

Monday: The Ocean Film Tour With Some Deep Films

Tuesday: The Start Of Zurich Climate Week (Scroll ⬇️)

Mayday, mayday, MAY DAY! Yes, we have a day off and the weather forecast is predicting blue skies and sunshine. But the world is not all sunshine and lollipops at the moment, so this Friday sees the traditional protest march, beginning at 10am at Helvetiaplatz and making its way through the city to Sechseläutenplatz.

As usual, the Kasernenareal will be filled on Friday and Saturday with  political discourse, as well as food, drinks and music — and hopefully solidarity too. On a day like this, it is good to remember that the big things that unite us are far more important than the small things used to divide us.

Protest: Fri 10am, Helvetiaplatz

Fri & Sat, May 1st Fest, Kasernenareal, 8004

Or maybe political discourse is not your thing. That’s okay too. So why not go for a day dance? Two very different options here.

First up, Kaufleuten’s SANAPA moves from Saturday to Friday — and down to Mythenquai. The party starts at 2pm, and you can grab your tickets here.

Friday 2pm, SANAPA, Mythenquai, 8002

Second up, and perhaps more in keeping with the spirit of May Day, Ziegel Oh Lac are also hosting a day dance. The difference? It’s free to attend, and Rote Fabrik has more of a… how can I put it… alternative vibe.

Friday 2pm, Tanz per Arbeit im Ziegel, Seestrasse 407, 8038

Is it me, or have we forgotten about the environment? With all the pronouncements from windmill-hating «Don J Quixote» in the White House and the seemingly never-ending wars, the climate and our environment seem to have been shoved into a corner.

Not any more. This Tuesday, Zurich Environmental Week kicks off. One of their mottos stood out to me: Urgency with Optimism — and let’s be honest, we could do with some of both.

It is possible to attend the opening ceremony Monday, but you have to join a waiting list and be approved. But you can attend their exhibition centre on Europaallee for the duration of the festival. The event that caught my eye, though, is the #Movethedate festival taking place outside of Josy on Saturday 8th May. Check their website if you want to take part — the full programme is here.

Mon - Fri 8th May, Climate Week Zurich, Various Locations

Loads of gigs this month but, this month, I’m going to focus on the band names. Check out the names of the bands at Dynamo on 5 May, Papiersaal on 13 May and the band at Plaza on 28 May. Strong names, but are they really radio-friendly?

And if you are thinking of buying a T-shirt from these bands, then it is probably better if you don’t wear it to meet the parents for the first time. That aside, there’s something for everyone this month, so dive in and enjoy.

It almost feels a bit unfair: the public transport stop at Kreuzplatz is already one of the prettiest in the city, and now it’s getting a culinary upgrade as well. Recently, the historic waiting hall at this transport hub has become home to the newest branch of miró manufactura de café. The coffee experts serve not only a caffeine boost from their own roastery, but also fresh pastries.

Opening Times
Mon – Fri: 6.30am – 6:30pm
Saturday: 8am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm