Summer 2025: Open-airs & Local Festivals in the City
Pride Zurich – June 20th/21st
Switzerland’s biggest queer event will take place at Landiwiese this year. Entry is free.
Stolze Openair – June 20th/21st
The largest free music festival in Zurich has become something of a hidden gem even outside the city.
Landenbergfest – June 20th/21st
A top-notch music lineup with the charm of a small neighborhood event where everyone knows each other – Landenbergfest nails the balance every year.
Hunzikerfest – June 21st
Open-air cinema, concerts, and more to celebrate 10 years of the Hunziker neighborhood. If you’ve never visited the cooperative, this is your chance to see what modern urban living can look like.
Wollishofen Neighborhood Fest – June 21st
At this GZ Wollishofen event, you can join a salsa workshop, roast your own “snake bread” over a fire pit, or play disco ping-pong.
About Us! Festival – June 26th – 29th
Held every two years, this time on Münsterhof, the About Us! Festival invites the city to discover its people and cultures anew and celebrate together.
Openair Wipkingen – June 27th/28th
Two signs that Zurich summer has arrived: the Limmat is full of inflatable boats, and Wipkingen meadow is full of people. This year featuring Dino Brandao and Ikan Hyu.
Chreis Nüün Fäscht – June 27th – 29th
A brand-new neighborhood fest where Altstetten and Albisrieden meet: Koch Park, which is also celebrating its grand opening. Over three days: crate stacking, street circus shows, concerts on two stages, and more.
Bucheggfest – June 28th
A packed day with concerts (headliner: Elijah Salomon), dancing, comedy, kids’ activities, an open mic, and international food from Italy, Thailand, Tibet, Lebanon, Switzerland – plus an afterparty.
Sihlquai Festival – July 3rd – 6th
A creative hub at Sihlquai celebrates 10 years – home to Photobastei, the Autonomous School, OJA, off-spaces, and studios – with concerts, tours, and workshops.
Caliente – July 4th – 6th
Europe’s largest Latin music festival in Zurich is also a food fest with Latin American, Caribbean, and Mediterranean vendors.
Seefeld Fest – July 4th/5th
Though I rarely visit Seefeld, the summer fest at GZ Riesbach – with its lakeside charm and great food – is the perfect excuse to drop by again.
D’Openair – July 5th
New last year, back again this year – hopefully next year too. Right by Dynamo and the Limmat.
Leutschenparkfest – July 5th/6th
The more neighborhoods, the more neighborhood festivals – that’s the beauty of a growing city. This second edition brings concerts, kids' programs, food, and drinks.
Openair Wollishofen – July 11th/12th
From the river to the lake: this time the GZ lawn in Wollishofen turns into a festival site.
Stadtsommer Concerts – July 18th/19th/24th/25th/26th
Across two weekends in July, local artists get to perform at open-air venues around the city – this year at Rote Fabrik, Turbinenplatz, Sihlhölzli Park, and Helsinki.
Äms Fäscht – July 31th / August 1st
A celebration for those who don’t actually want to celebrate Swiss National Day. For the 11th time, Bäckeranlage will host a festival promoting a world without borders.
Street Parade – August 9th
Join the party or flee the city? That’s the question as Love Mobiles and about a million ravers circle the lake basin.
Lethargy Festival – August 8th–10th
For many, the real highlight of the Street Parade weekend: parties and concerts in every room and on every lawn of the Rote Fabrik. This year’s pre-concert on August 7 also marks the reopening of the renovated Aktionshalle.
Werdinsel Openair – August 15th/16th
To the island! It’s always a lovely spot – even more so during this open-air, which only happens every two years.
Freilager Festival – August 16th
Whenever I walk first-timers through the Freilager settlement, they’re always impressed. A beautiful neighborhood deserves a great festival – and that’s exactly what you get to close out the summer holidays.
Idaplatzfest – August 16th
Please finish your plate – Ida doesn’t like rain. I want to celebrate her with live music, food, drinks, games, and dancing. This year, we only get one day.
Zürich Openair – August 22nd/23rd & 29th/30th
A league of its own (and not technically within the city), this festival features major acts again this year, including Nina Chuba, The Prodigy, and Scooter.
Röntgenplatzfest – August 22nd/23rd
Running since 1980, this festival in Kreis 5 has hosted the likes of Edoardo Bennato, Faber, and Rotfront. No idea who’s performing this year – but this fest has never let me down.
Dörflifäscht – August 29th–31st
Family-friendly activities by day, festival vibes with live music on eight stages by night, and wild dance floors after dark.
Haldenbachplatzfest – August 30th
I rarely pass by Haldenbachplatz – even though it’s one of Zurich’s most idyllic squares. This cozy event feels more like an Italian village piazza than a city festival.
Viadukt Festival – September 5th/6th
Even the arches deserve a party – complete with chocolate fountains, gelato, T-shirt printing, clothing swaps, BBQs, concerts, and DJ sets.
Schwamedinger Chilbi – September 6th/7th
Head to the fair! Running since 1972, not much has changed – and it’s the perfect excuse to finally discover Schwamendingen.
SchwamenAir – September 13th
Back to “Schwäme” for what may be the city’s most charming open-air – at Waldgarten restaurant, which has served as a shared flat for 11 years.
Knabenschiessen – September 13th–15th
Half a day off, thanks to Knabenschiessen. Here are some “half” ideas: tidy half your kitchen drawers, make a cake batter and eat it raw, go to Knabenschiessen and just visit the food stalls.
Lindenplatzfest – September 20th
For years I’ve claimed that Altstetten would wake up as a neighborhood – and with its third edition, this festival is becoming a staple of the late-summer calendar, with concerts, food, and a lively bar.