Tips for the Weekend: Bürkli Flohmi Is Back, and 1st May Is Here
The Bürkliplatz flea market returns, the 1st of May brings its usual mix of politics and partying, and there's a lakeside rave, a literature festival, and Mozart at the Opernhaus. Busy one.
1st of May Demo
The traditional march kicks off at 10:00 from Helvetiaplatz (now also known as Ni-una-menos-Platz). This year's slogan is Blocchiamo tutto — "We block everything" — framing the moment as one of collapsing neoliberal order, climate crisis, and rising authoritarianism. Whether you're there for the politics or just the atmosphere, it's always a spectacle.
🗓️ 1. May, 10:00, Helvetiaplatz
Mais Oui Festival, Kasernenareal
Free, as always. The annual 1st of May festival on the Kasernenwiese starts tonight with collective banner-painting and a queer Stadt-Land-Fluss. Saturday brings a Tichu tournament; Friday, a chess competition from the Schachklub Kreis 4. Food, music, and the usual good chaos throughout.
🗓️ 30. April – 2. May, Kasernenareal
SANAPA am See, Strandbad Mythenquai
For the first time, SANAPA takes on a lakeside format at Strandbad Mythenquai on 1st May — doors at 14:00, three floors (two electronic, one hip hop), 17 DJs, and food by Hiltl. Tickets are nearly gone, so check quickly.
🗓️ 1. May, 14:00, Strandbad Mythenquai
Bürkli Flohmarkt is Back
The Stadthausanlage renovation is done, Café Arnold has opened, and the self-styled largest flea market in Switzerland reclaims its spot on the Bürkliplatz. Secondhand clothes, household odds and ends, flowers, and food. Early birds only — it's over by 5pm.
🗓️ 2. May, 7:00 – 17:00, Stadthausanlage
Literaturfestival «Zwischentext», Karl der Grosse
The magazine Zwischentext hosts its first literature festival, built around the theme of Heimat and migrant perspectives. Expect readings, conversations, and the question of who gets to tell stories about belonging — and for whom. Tsüri columnist Hannan Salamat is among those taking part.
🗓️ 2. May, 10:30 – 20:30, Karl der Grosse
Open Wine Cellar Days
Over 200 winegrowers across German-speaking Switzerland open their cellar doors this weekend for tastings, tours, and local food. A solid excuse to get out of the city if the weather plays along.
🗓️ 1. – 3. May, various locations across German-speaking Switzerland
Mozart at the Opernhaus
La clemenza di Tito has just opened, transposed into a modern surveillance state by director Damiano Michieletto. Both the NZZ and the Tages-Anzeiger came away impressed — the latter called it a production you shouldn't miss.
🗓️ 3. May, 20:00, Opernhaus Zürich
«Blaupause», Theater Neumarkt — Premiere
Monday's premiere from the Institut für Lesbische Angelegenheiten, directed by Meret Feigenwinter and Leo Lerch. Described as finely composed and absurdly funny, it wanders through first loves, growing pains, and heterotopias. Probably weirder than it sounds — in the good way.
🗓️ 4. May, 19:00, Theater Neumarkt
