Event Dates
From: Friday, March 7, 2025
To: Sunday, March 9, 2025
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
- 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.
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
Weinpl. 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Renowned for warm hospitality for over 650 years, the Hotel Storchen enjoys a unique position in the heart of
. 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 warm colours and modern facilities and feature high-speed wired and wireless internet access and air-conditioning.
Niederdorfstrasse 108001 Zürich, Switzerland
In the heart of Zürich‘s historical centre. the Boutique Hotel Wellenberg offers a shared lounge, library, an idyllic courtyard and free WiFi. The property is around 650 m from Paradeplatz and Bahnhofstrasse, as well as 400 m from Grossmünster.
All rooms come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom, A rich breakfast buffet is included in all prices.
Hirschengraben 648001 Zürich, Switzerland
This 3-star hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Zurich
. It offers a restaurant and free in-room Wi-Fi. The Bahnhofstrasse shopping street is just a away.All rooms at Hotel
have a TV, a refrigerator, and a tea/coffee maker.The restaurant features a summer terrace and serves Swiss and international cuisine.
Rosengasse 108001 Zürich, Switzerland
Dating back from the 16th century, Hotel Adler is a charming property in the heart of the "Niederdorf" area, Zurich´s lively and charming
with its unique atmosphere.The hotel's décor conveys a sense of style, from the private baths to the generous wall decorations portraying different views of the city. The minibar in the rooms is stocked with free soft drinks. Free WiFi is available in all rooms and public areas.
Zähringerstrasse 218001 Zürich, Switzerland
This hotel is just a 6-minute walk from the
and shopping areas of Zürich. The well-known restaurant Walliser Keller serves Swiss specialities such as cheese fondue, meat fondue, raclette and more.Free WiFi is available in the entire building. The non-smoking rooms have a
with satellite channels, a minibar with free drinks, an electric kettle, and a private bathroom.Zähringerstrasse 438001 Zürich, Zurich Switzerland
The completely renovated Sorell Hotel Rütli is located in the heart of Zurich's
, 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.
Metzgergasse 3 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
In Autumn 1997 Cranberry Bar was born. The bar operation is managed by a loyal, skilled team. With its reputation for fabulous cocktails and great events, Cranberry has become an internationally well-known hotspot in the Gay & Friends scene in Zurich.
The Campari Room in the upper floor is generally open on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm until the bar closes. For special events or groups, the room can be opened also during the week.
Heaven, Spitalgasse 5 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Drag queens, crispy boys and shrill guests make the Heaven Club a colorful cosmos for everyone.
Mühlegasse 15 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
The Predigerhof is the cozy gay bar in the heart of the city with a cool sound
Zurich's traditionally cosmopolitan gay bar with style
A fun mixed gay bar with nice outside seating
Seilergraben 13, Zürich, Switzerland
It is always a very fun evening in the tip top gay bar
Spitalgasse 14, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
At this gay bar you can enjoy freshly prepared coffee, deliciou offering event nights like Karaoke, Drag-Bingo and Open Drag Stage
Kernstrasse 57 8004 Zurich, Switzerland
Men's zone: Best contact bar for men in Zurich, we offer you everything your gay heart desires Where men who like men, guys and bears meet.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Zurich that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Highlights of the Zurich Carnival