Zurich Spring Festival – Sechseläuten
It is during April that Zurich celebrates its traditional spring festival: Sechseläuten, or “Sächsilüüte” as it is known locally.
Sechseläuten will happen on April 17th – Monday.
On Monday at 3 p.m., during Sechseläuten, 3,500 guild members parade through the Old Town while being accompanied by their guild music groups, riders on horses, and parade floats. Along the way to Sechseläutenplatz, they lead a vibrant and lively parade while being showered with flowers.
At six o’clock, the Böögg-topped pyre is lit on fire.
Sechseläuten represents Zürich in a unique way that you shouldn’t miss.
This spring festival includes camels, a horse parade, a snowman with a bomb, and a parade of medieval-style men.
Sechseläuten’s children’s parade is taking place on Sunday, April 16th
Zürich’s guilds offer costume rentals for children. Usually, online registration opens a couple of months before Sechseläuten in late February. Those who participate in the parade will also receive a Zvieri snack.
As for Sechseläuten Monday, it’s a city holiday.
The workday ends at 2 p.m. because of the Sechseläuten parade. Up to 3500 people in traditional costumes perform in the “Parade of Guilds,” and camels and horses.
The snowman’s head will be on fire at 6 PM sharp, and the countdown will begin: How long until the head explodes? The shorter the time, the more pleasant the summer weather expectations will be.
The “common people” of Zürich will come together to devour sausages and drink beer around the bonfire in front of the opera house after the guilds have completed their part of the festival.
Read about all the other events during April
Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash
