The Swiss summer is short, and people celebrate the season in various ways. Geraniums, roses, and petunias colour the balconies. People enjoy long summer days and socialise with a glass of wine, while street musicians contribute to the atmosphere. There are many opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy the summer.

Summer fun for the kids

When the schools close for the summer holidays, the swimming pools and lake beach areas become the children’s hangouts. The swimming areas have slides and diving boards. Zurich makes a summer holiday card available for children to use all public transport and visit swimming places for free. Discounts to various entertainment venues enable children to enjoy a fun time with their peers.

Swiss National day celebration

On 1 August, the people celebrate Switzerland’s national day. In Zurich, Swiss people parade in traditional clothes to a market square to enjoy Swiss food and socialise.

In the evening, residents in each municipal area celebrate the day with traditional food, music, and fireworks. Zander especially enjoyed the Bratwurst grilled on sticks over a large open fire.

Street parade

I convinced Charl to go with me to the Zurich Street Parade. People paraded through the streets in creative outfits while the organisers provided loud techno music from various stages. I saw a completely different side of the very law-abiding and quiet-and-in-their-place Swiss.

The creativity and colourfulness added to the fun. I did not have to take paparazzi photos because people spontaneously presented themselves to me for pictures.

Water fun in Zurich’s lake and Limmat river

In summer, Zurich’s Limmat river and lake are popular playgrounds. There are boats, yachts, pedal boats, and people doing SUP (Stand Up Paddling) everywhere.

Zander also wanted to do SUP. However, the SUP supplier informed me that an adult must accompany Zander. That adult ended up being me! The waves on the lake, created by the boats, caused me to fall off my SUP board a few times.

Fun summer activity is to float down the river in an inflatable boat or ring. Zander and I did it and enjoyed the scenery and the rapids.

Charl and I participated in the “Limmat Schwimmen“. Like thousands of participants, we clung to our inflatable duckling as we watched Zurich’s buildings pass us.

Outdoor theatre, music, and movies

The long evenings create a lovely opportunity for families to enjoy cultural experiences in the open air. Different offerings exist to enjoy music, theatre, and movies in this way.

The Zurich Openair is the largest open-air music festival in Zurich, which inspires thousands of electro, rock, and pop fans.

The Zürcher Teater Spektakel, on the shores of Lake Zurich, entertains theatre lovers. The Lake Zurich sunsets create a romantic backdrop while spectators enjoy a variety of entertainment.

Outdoor movie on a big screen is a popular summer activity. People can watch a blockbuster, art or classic movie while picnicking under the stars. It’s the modern version of drive-in movies.

Our first post-Covid summer in Zurich was a pleasant experience. The days are getting colder, and the leaves start changing colour, but we enter the colder seasons with contentment.

Kind regards

Emsia