It's here... as the Earth swings round the sun for yet another time we have the seasonal spend/drink-athon known as Christmas. And what better place to spend it than Zurich, a town where seasonal cheer is done very well indeed.

As an early Christmas present I have created a convenient map that can guide you around the events in the city so there is no excuse for not meeting with friends and enjoying a glühwein in the frosty air... And with the exception of the Musical advent calendar, they all start today. Hit one of the buttons for a full list and map.

Switzerland is a country with a long tradition of great design so Zurich is the perfect location to host the Blickfang design festival. With 190 designers from 12 countries exhibiting there is something new and innovative in every field from furniture to clothing. You can even, (and I love this,) design your own bicycle.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas but if the the prospect of starting this early is making you bilious then why not check out a gig instead. This Thursday, Pretenders front woman Chrissy Hynde is playing at the Volkhaus with her new project with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble. It is a big change in direction but I really love the record. Guess what folks, i have two sets of tickets to give away. Hit the button to listen then hit the button to win...

This Friday my friends at the Lauter collective (they help organise the bands for Ron Voyage,) have written an anniversary book which will be released on Friday night. Stall 6 host the event with three up and coming bands from the Lauter universe as well as DJ’s later on. Fun, fun and more fun...

Some films are just so bad that they are good. The improbably dreadful (and yet hilarious,) «Sharknado» springs to mind. The cinema Kosmos is rightly celebrating this with their «Worst Film Night». On Saturday they are showing «The Room», a film described as «…the Citizen Kane of bad movies».

I’m a big fan of the Amboss Rampe. It’s a nice place to grab a beer, listen to some live music (they have a great Jam session on a Thursday night by the way,) and the Spritzwerk restaurant concept is fantastic. This coming Wednesday they add the Bergamotte Pop Up Jungle If you need to spruce up the homestead with some house plants, Amboss Rampe is the place to go…

Are you prepared for the ski season? Board or skis waxed? Quads exercised? Medical insurance paid up? Well, it’s already here. Heavy snowfall over the past few weeks mean that several of the larger Graubunden resorts will be open for business this weekend and will have a limited number of pistes open.

Have a check on the websites for more details and enjoy (an extended,) winter season.

Davos
Films/Laax
Arosa/Lenzerheide