ZüriCarneval | Zurich Carnival 2025

ZüriCarneval | Zurich Carnival 2025

Carnival in Zurich is a serious affair, with lots of marching bands, parades and three days of partying, drinking and fun! Many of the city’s famous gay bars host special events and parties during the celebration.

• Stay close to the Carnival celebrations at the Best Western Plus Hotel Zürcherhof, rated “Fabulous” by guests with spacious, modern rooms and perfect location.

The Carnival

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates – Friday March 7th – Sunday March 9th, 2025.
• Zurich Carnival has over 100 years of tradition and transforms the city for 3 days and nights.
• Locals and visitors dress up in elaborate costumes and hit the Bahnhofstrasse and enjoy the parade, dancing under confetti and listening to the sounds of the Guggemusig bands.
• With its various events, the ZüriCarneval guarantees unforgettable Fasnacht experiences in the city of Zurich.
• Try some delicious “fasnacht”, a fried doughnut of German origin served traditionally in the days of Carnival and Fastnacht or on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent starts.
• Enjoy a unique stay at the Hotel Glockenhof Zurich, rated “Fabulous” by guests, set in beautiful grounds, modern rooms and perfect location.

The Main parade

• Events unfold throughout Zurich, with key activities centered in the Old Town (Altstadt) and on major squares and streets.
• The main parade takes place on the Sunday of the event, taking over the streets of Downtown Zurich.
• The Carnival parade kicks off at exactly 2.31 PM, a fun nod to the city’s obsession with punctuality.
• Stay close to the old town and enjoy the Carnival festivities.

The Carnival Tents

• Hirschenplatz in the heart of the Niederdorf quarter is the site of the “Minira Guggestadl”.
• Over a period of three days, in a heated marquee, various “Guggen” bands – mostly brass ensembles playing well-known melodies very loudly and intentionally out of tune – perform their repertoire of Caribbean and Latin American music, while at the Münsterhof, visitors can celebrate to the sounds of New Orleans jazz.
• Stay close to everything in the Old Town at the Citizen M Zurich, a design hotel with great amenities and friendly service.

Gay Zurich

• Connect with locals at one of the many LGBTQ-owned restaurants, cafés and bars, including Cafe Rathuas with its alfresco dining, and sister establishment Cranberry Bar, an icon of the city’s gay scene for over 25 years.
• Head to Petra’s Tip Top Bar and Gleis, a gay-friendly space for coffee, cocktails, and an ever-changing roster of events.

Recommended Zurich Hotels

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the carnival events:

Hotel Storchen,   Marktgasse Hotel,   Hotel St. Josef,   Sorell Hotel Rütli.