Located in the Swiss city of Zurich, the Zurich spring festival is one of the top things to do in Switzerland and is usually celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April; ever since the early 20th century, where each year, Zurich’s citizens parade through the city in historical costumes.
Join us as we uncover the top things to do in Zurich and walk you through what things to take on a weekend break in the vibrant city for an adventure that’s fun, safe, and exciting! Ready to book your trip to Zurich? Check out our Dover to Calais ferry crossing.
Burning of the Snowman (Böögg)
One of the top things to see in Zurich is the burning of the Böögg; it resembles a snowman and symbolises the winter. The Böögg is burnt and serves the purpose of driving out the winter and heralding the spring.
It’s important to be cautious of the explosives inside the snowman during the Burning of the Snowman (Böögg) event. Most of the explosives are located in the head, and a quick explosion is believed to signal a good summer.
For the best viewing experience, watch the event from where the parade ends, where the snowman will be burned.
Activities to do at the Zurich Spring Festival
On the day of the Zurich spring festival, the guilds gather around from about midday and get ready for the parade. The bustling city centre, its streetcars, and buses will be decorated with vibrant flowers and flags.
To make the most of your experience, it is worth arriving at the stunning Sechseläutenplatz venue at 5 pm. The area around the square can get quite congested, so arriving early will allow you to secure a comfortable spot and fully immerse yourself in the excitement.
Get ready for a fiery spectacle! At 6 pm sharp, the Burning of the Snowman (Böögg) event will take place, lighting up the skies at Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich!
Once the head of the snowman has exploded, one of the things in Zurich is to enjoy a barbeque that usually will take place after. This is where members of the public will grill sausages over the embers of the bonfire.
You can then check out Zurich’s wonderful bars and restaurants, which will surely get you in a festive mood.
Places to Visit in Zurich
The Zurich Spring Festival is not only a time for the famous Burning of the Snowman (Böögg) event, but it is also an excellent chance for you to explore other Zurich attractions during the Zurich Spring Festival! There are great food markets and stalls to check out with locally sourced produce, such as cheese, vegetables, fruit, meat, bread, and wine is best bought at the weekly market.
There are also plenty of restaurants and bars with great food and drink, which is so you’ll be glad you stopped by Zurich when you visit Switzerland.
There are also some beautiful spring blossoms to check out on Zurich streets, making an excellent photo opportunity for those passing by!
How to get to Zurich with P&O
When driving to Switzerland from the UK, it’s a 506.2-mile journey to drive from Calais to Switzerland, but we suggest you take your time and enjoy stops along the way.
To save you time, our ferries take an hour and a half over the English Channel, and then you will embark on a beautiful scenic road trip from Calais to Zurich, which will take just over 8 hours to get to.
An alternative route to Zurich is through Hull to Rotterdam Ferry crossing and then from Rotterdam to Zurich, which is an eight-hour and 30-minute drive.
So, are you ready to witness the Zurich spring festival? Check our P&O Ferry routes and book today!
