May 7, 2025
The end of winter
Switzerland is a country of marked seasons. To celebrate the symbolic conclusion of winter, Zurich hosts the Sechseläuten festival on the 3rd Monday of April each year. It is a great day to be in Zurich, as the public holiday ensures that the streets are packed with revellers. Zurich is a city that enjoys its downtime, with carnival floats, street stands, and the ceremonial burning of Böögg - the snowman sacrificed on a burning pyre.
The Swiss can't abandon the clock
A nation famed for timekeeping, the Swiss announce the end of winter on this day based on the date and not the overhead conditions. As it happened, it was a balmy spring day in Zurich, with packed streets, flotillas of yachts, and picnics in the parks. A week later, the Alps are under siege, with snow across the peaks and sub-zero temperatures on the glaciers.
Bye bye Böögg
The snowman's demise is said to indicate Switzerland's long-term weather. The quicker Böögg is to explosive disintegration, the better the summer will be. Science, Swiss-style!
Summer in full swing
When the seasonal switch is finally made, Zurich transforms into an aquatic paradise, with water sports taking place across the city. The UrbanSurf wave is a fantastic location to host a pool event with DJs, outdoor dining and surf sessions on the artificial wave. For those looking for more conventional water sports, the pristine waters of the Limmat River offer swimming channels and pools. Sailing is another popular activity in Zurich, with the monied Zurichers ending their days on the magical waters of the lake.
