Sechseläuten is a traditional Zurich festival that marks the beginning of spring and is usually celebrated on the first Monday after the equinox.
Let’s find out more about it together!
Sechseläuten: history and origins
For over 500 years, Zurich has hosted the iconic Sechseläuten to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
In fact, this tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the City Council – whose members came from Zurich’s various guilds – decided that citizens should work an extra hour in summer days compared to winter. And if you’re wondering what to do in Zürich during the cold season, find out how to enjoy Zürich in winter.
And so, on the first Monday after the equinox, the second largest bell in the Grossmünster rang at six o’clock in the afternoon to announce the end of the new working day. This is how this traditional festival, whose name literally means ‘the bells ringing at six o’clock’, came about.
Today, if you happened to be around during the event, you would see parades, period costumes and marching bands filling the streets of the city centre! And if you want to discover other must-see outdoor activities in spring in Zurich, don’t miss our guide.
Sechseläuten festival: how does it take place?
The children’s and guild parade
Traditionally, the festival opens on Sunday afternoon with the children’s parade, where some 3000 children – in historical costumes – parade through the city accompanied by 800 musicians from the region’s youth band.
On Monday afternoon, however, it is the turn of the 25 guilds parade.
The latter consists of a colourful procession of 3500 men in traditional costumes, in the company of another 350 people on horseback, 50 floats and about 30 bands – all heading towards Sechseläutenplatz, where the Böögg awaits them.
The Böögg that predicts the weather
The main protagonist of Sechseläuten is the Böögg.
We are talking about the effigy of a snowman over three metres high that symbolises winter and is burnt to metaphorically end the winter season – on Monday at six o’clock in the afternoon.
This tradition did not become part of the festival until the 19th century. Before then, there were several Bööggs and the children of Zurich’s Kratz district set fire to them on the day of the spring equinox.
Today, it is traditional to ask the Böögg to predict the weather of the fine season: it is said that the faster the puppet’s head explodes, the more beautiful the summer will be!
The final super-grill
When the bonfire dies down, another traditional event takes over: the biggest Swiss barbecue, which takes place around the remains of the bonfire and lasts until the early hours of the following morning.
So, if you join the party, you also have the chance to taste some really delicious sausages!
