Cultural Fall 2025
Let the summer fade away
August 14 to 31, 2025
As Zurich locals know, the ever-popular “Theater Spektakel” heralds the beginning of the fall’s cultural events. Every year, this festival on the banks of Lake Zurich transforms the Landiwiese into a spellbinding world full of theater, music, street art, and improvisation. It’s well worth a visit, even if you don’t have a ticket to a specific performance: food, street performers, a water taxi, and sunsets over the lake ensure a magical atmosphere.
Classical Music
Zurich’s season of culture begins in the fall and runs until spring. Major venues such as the Zurich Opera House or the renowned Tonhalle usually celebrate with opulent opening events.
New Management
Zurich Opera House
On September 19, 2025, the Zurich Opera House will be opened by its new director, Matthias Schulz. Zurich’s 25/26 opera season will begin with the “24h Opernhaus” (24-hour opera house) event. Schulz’ aim is to make the opera house more accessible, and as a trained concert pianist, he will also be taking to the stage himself shortly afterwards.
Big Names
Tonhalle Zurich
The new season at this top-class concert hall already sounds fantastic, with cellist Sol Gabetta and pianist Kirill Gerstein as key artists and input from composer Thomas Adès as the Tonhalle’s next “Creative Chair”.
Exhibitions Worth Seeing in the Fall
Zurich’s museums present interesting programs throughout the year. This fall, a visit to these exhibitions is particularly worthwhile:
Event Highlights in Fall
Summer is coming to an end, the days are getting shorter, and the air is becoming considerably cooler. And instead of spending their leisure time somewhere along Zurich’s stretches of water, art and culture lovers are now looking forward to event highlights that herald the cultural season:
Design Biennale
September 5–14, 2025
In the Old Botanical Garden, design will be introduced to a wide audience. Inspiring or playful installations, tours, performances, and workshops are intended to give an insight into the fascinating world of design.
Zurich Film Festival ZFF
September 25 – October 5, 2025
One of the highlights in fall is the Zurich Film Festival: during eleven days, around 160 movies are shown. Among them are the most exciting auteur films from all over the world, as well as masterpieces and premieres that later win Oscars.
Open House Zurich
September 27 – 28, 2025
The weekend for architecture enthusiasts: once a year, Zurich institutions and private houses open their doors, which are otherwise firmly closed to the public. This gives rise to behind-the-scenes insights, new perspectives, and previously untold stories.
Zürich liest
October 21 – 26, 2025
The international book and literature festival, “Zürich liest” (Zurich reads), has been held in Zurich since 2011 and with its diverse program enjoys great popularity among a broad audience. Every year at the end of October, the festival attracts book and story lovers to the city.
Jazznojazz
October 29 – November 1, 2025
For 4 nights, Jazznojazz treats music aficionados to jazz, funk, soul, blues, and cross-genre music styles in Zurich. The mix of well-known international jazz virtuosos and aspiring young musicians makes the festival popular with people of all ages.
Start of the Theater Season
These Zurich stages are looking forward to a large audience:
Other Stories You Might Like
Multifaceted Zurich
