Cultural Fall 2026

The days are getting shorter, the program of activities richer: this fall, Zurich is alive with art, theater, and culture.

Event Highlights in the Fall

Festivals and Cultural Experiences

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:

“Lange Nacht der Museen" (Long Night of Museums)

September 5, 2026

Zurich’s museums will be open late into the night, offering special exhibitions, performances, tours, and unique events.

Program and tickets

Lila. Queer Festival

September 10 – 12, 2026

The 10th Lila. Queer Festival celebrates queer culture with film, music, performance, and conversations at Rote Fabrik.

Program and tickets

Zurich Design Weeks

September 17 – 27, 2026

Zurich Design Weeks present exhibitions, installations, talks, and events on new ideas and perspectives in design.

Program

Opening Celebration "24h Opernhaus"

September 18 – 19, 2026

The season begins with 24 hours full of concerts, performances, tours, and glimpses behind the scenes at the Opera House.

Details

Zurich Film Festival ZFF

September 24 – October 4, 2026

For eleven days, Zurich will become a central hub for international film, with premieres, auteur cinema, stars, and aspiring Oscar winners.

Program and tickets

Open House Zurich

September 26 – 27, 2026

Open House Zurich offers insights into the city’s extraordinary structures, from historical buildings to contemporary architecture.

Program and tickets

Zürich liest

October 20 – 25, 2026

“Zürich liest” (Zurich reads) brings authors, books, readings, and literary events to numerous locations in Zurich and the surrounding area.

Program

30th Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur

November 3 – 8, 2026

The Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur features screenings of outstanding short films from around the world, from new talents to award-winning films.

Program and tickets

Classical Music, Opera & Ballet

Highlights of the Season

From major orchestral works and operas to ballet and intimate chamber music, Zurich’s fall program combines international stars with unique music and dance experiences.

Die Zauberflöte @ Zurich Opera House

From September 20, 2026

Mozart’s much-loved masterpiece “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute) returns to the stage with a new production by Daniele Finzi Pasca. Tarmo Peltokoski conducts.

Anne-Sophie Mutter @ Tonhalle Zürich

October 3, 2026

The legendary violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter plays a program of works by Piazzolla, Beethoven, and Nielsen together with the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House.

tonhalleLATE

October 2, 2026

During Zurich Film Festival, tonhalleLATE will combine iconic film music with electronic sounds and a late-night club atmosphere in a concert hall.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Zurich Opera House

From October 11, 2026

Cathy Marston brings Shakespeare’s magical comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to the stage as a ballet, with music by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Gabriel Prokofiev.