Mayday, Mayday, May Day

Every year on May 1st, Zürich's Labour Day march kicks off from Helvetiaplatz in Kreis 4 — and this Friday is no different. If you live in the area or plan to be nearby, here's what you need to know.

The official march begins at 10am, with people gathering from around 9:30am. The route heads from Helvetiaplatz through the city centre — passing along Kasernenstrasse, over the Gessnerbrücke, down Bahnhofstrasse and along the Limmatquai — before finishing with a closing rally at Sechseläutenplatz, usually around midday.

It's one of the biggest regular demonstrations in the city. Last year, around 11,000 people took part in the official march, making it a significant event in the Zürich calendar. The march is organised by the trade unions and the 1. Mai Komitee, and tends to be a broad mix of people — union members, families, and various left-leaning groups.

The Kasernenareal also hosts a festival across Friday and Saturday, with food, drinks, music, and political discussions running through the weekend.

One thing worth knowing if you live around Langstrasse or Helvetiaplatz: the area can get busy and occasionally disruptive in the afternoon. In previous years, unofficial follow-up demonstrations have formed in the Langstrasse quarter after the official march wraps up, and police have typically maintained a strong presence in the neighbourhood through the afternoon and evening.

The official march itself is permitted and generally passes without major incident. If you're heading out for the day, just be aware that public transport routes around the city centre may be affected while the march is moving.

March: Friday 1 May, 10:00, Helvetiaplatz May 1st Fest: Friday & Saturday, Kasernenareal, 8004