Swiss Life CSI Equestrian Event: this annual event held at the end of January at the Hallenstadion Arena is the largest indoor equestrian event of its kind in the world. The CSI programme is contested by the world’s top riders, who are drawn to this prestigious tournament by the large prize fund on offer, with winners being the best rewarded out of of any event of this type in the world.

Art on Ice: also held annually at the Hallenstadion Arena is the spectacular Art on Ice show. The show brings together the best international skaters, who perform routines accompanied by world-renowned musicians. Over the years, the Art on Ice show has become the biggest event of its type in the world due to the wide audiences reached by the live television broadcast of the event; however, the huge popularity of the show has meant that tickets can be hard to come by, so book early.

Sechseläuten Spring Festival: otherwise known as the Festival of the Six O’clock Bells, this centuries old annual festival brings the residents of Zurich together in celebration of the coming spring. The event kicks off on the third Sunday in April with a children’s parade, with the festival culminating with the procession of the guilds to a large bonfire, where the burning off the Boogg (effigy of the old man of winter) takes place at six o’clock sharp.

Zurich Arts Festival: in 2006, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a programme of classical concerts, opera, dance and theatre. Venues across the city hold events over a three-week period, with the festival’s highlights taking place at the opera house on Theaterplatz and at the Tonhalle Music Hall on Beethovenstrasse. Some of the festival’s smaller performances are also well worth attending; interested visitors should check with the Tourist Information Centre for a programme of events.

Live at Sunset Music Festival: for 10 days the city is host to a wide variety of international artists, with nightly concerts taking place in the inner courtyard of the Swiss National Museum; you will find the museum located next to Central Train Station. The festival has been held for over 10 years and has gradually grown into the high quality event of today, which attracts some of the world’s best-known performers. The main events tend to sell out quickly, so book your tickets early.

Zurich Street Parade: for one weekend in August, the streets of Zurich come alive with the sound of modern dance music, with events and concerts held throughout the city. The event is the largest dance music festival in the world and draws up to a million visitors to the city, with the highlight of the event being the parade itself. The parade winds its way through the lower basin of Lake Zurich and features dozens of floats known as ‘Love Mobiles’, which promote the event’s message of peace, love and tolerance.

The Langstrasse Festival: Langstrasse is at the heart of the city’s old red light district, but these days, it is more noted for the festival that takes place here every year. The festival features a mix of culinary delights and international music, with improvised stalls and music stages spread throughout the area. Food stalls offer everything from local specialties to exotic international dishes, while the music on offer comes in a mixture of styles including traditional Swiss music, blues, jazz, country and contemporary pop.

Zurich Open Tennis Tournament: for one week in October, Zurich’s Hallenstadion plays host to the women’s WTA Zurich Open Tournament. The event is considered to be Europe’s premier tournament outside of the grand slam events. Every year, the world’s top players are drawn to Zurich by the lure of the tournaments US$1.2 million prize fund, meaning that the 6,000 seat stadium is generally sold out for the later rounds. Interested visitors should visit the WTA website for ticket details.

Expovina: otherwise known as Zurich Vine Fair, this occasion sees 12 steam ships moored at the Burkliplatz become the venues for Switzerland’s biggest wine festival. Visitors are able to sample over 4,000 wines from every corner of the globe as well as numerous culinary delights provided by local restaurants.

New Years Eve: Lake Zurich is the venue for the largest New Years Eve party in Switzerland. The party attracts up to 200,000 people for the spectacular firework display, which brings the event to a close. The huge firework display is provided by the hoteliers of Zurich and is set off from two ships at anchor in Lake Zurich.