Sechseläuten is a quintessential Zürich experience which should not be missed. To outsiders, this spring festival is best described as a kind of Groundhog Day with camels, a parade of men in medieval costume on horseback, and a snowman whose head explodes.

Sunday marks the traditional children’s parade:

And Monday is a city wide holiday.

Most workers are off after 2 PM for the parade. The “Parade of Guilds” features up to 3500 men and women in traditional costumes, as well as the before-mentioned camels and horses. At 6 PM sharp, the bonfire topped by a snowman will be lit on fire and the count is on: How long will it take for the head to explode? The shorter, the better the expected weather conditions for summer.

After the guilds have completed the traditional part of the festival, the locals will meet up at the bonfire in front of the opera house for a down-to-earth tradition: The “common people” of Zürich will BBQ sausages in the gigantic fire and have a drink.

More about the Sechseläuten tradition

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Dimitri Burkhard

Founder, Editor-in-Chief at Newly Swissed GmbH

As the founder, editor and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of the Swiss Travelwriters Club.

Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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