Event Dates
From: Friday, February 16, 2024
To: Sunday, February 18, 2024
Carnival in Zurich is a serious affair, with lots of marching bands, parades and three days of partying, drinking and fun!
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
- Fasnacht is a fried doughnut of German origin served traditionally in the days of Carnival and Fastnacht or on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent starts. With its various events, the ZüriCarneval guarantees unforgettable Fasnacht experiences in the city of Zurich.
- 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.
- 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
- The main parade takes place on the Sunday of the event (Feb 18th 2024) and take to 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.
The Old town is close to the gay bars
Book now and pay on arrival
The Hotel Storchen, is our editors
choice in the Old town right on the lake
For further information and advice on
Zurich Carnival visit The Website
Most of the gay bars in Zurich are in the old Town, we have chosen Hotels close to all the bars that have high reviews on booking.com our hotel partner
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We have chosen hotels in Zurich that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Renowned for warm hospitality for over 650 years, the Hotel Storchen enjoys a unique position in the heart of Zurich. It has its own boat pier directly at the Limmat River, and is within walking distance of all cultural attractions. The rooms and suites offer unique views of the river and of the picturesque Old Town. They combine classic furnishings with modern facilities & air-conditioning.
The Marktgasse Hotel is situated in Zurich´s Old Town, 200 m from the Grossmünster and 500 m from Lake Zurich, and boasts free WiFi, free access to a wellness centre, a restaurant and a 24-hour reception. All units at the Marktgasse come with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning and private bathroom facilities. Some feature a seating area, as well.
This 3-star hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Zurich Main Train Station. It offers a restaurant and free in-room Wi-Fi. The Bahnhofstrasse shopping street is just a short walk away. All rooms at Hotel St. Josef have a TV, a refrigerator, and a tea/coffee maker. The restaurant features a summer terrace and serves Swiss and international cuisine.
The completely renovated Sorell Hotel Rütli is located in the heart of Zurich’s old town, next to the funiculars and the ETH Zurich university. All rooms are equipped with an air cooling system and feature a flat-screen TV. Via the TVs in every room you can also surf the web, watch the newest films and listen to the radio. A wide selection of drinks can be enjoyed in the stylish bar
Highlights of the Zurich Carnival