All About Zurich Openair Festival

Zürich, Switzerland

Open air / Outdoor only / Field

XXL – 50k+

Electronic, Rock

$$

International, Live music, Casual

3+ Days

Zurich Openair is a festival blending Switzerland’s scenic beauty with music’s captivating power. As one might expect, the festival is a drama-free, no-nonsense ode to live performances.

When at Zurich Openair, expect to meet music lovers who came for nothing but the music. No Burning Man shenanigans, no Coachella high-style dress codes.

If you are a socially anxious, live music fan, Zurich Openair is a match made in heaven. You can focus on the speakers blasting your favorite tunes while everyone else gets lost in the foot-tapping sounds.

Here’s everything you need to know about Zurich Openair Festival.

The rise of the Zurich Openair festival

The Swiss festival saw daylight in 2010 thanks to American channel MTV, who wanted as a refreshing addition to the roster of European festivals. Willing to join the major league club, Zurich Openair grew slow but steady – and ultimately became one of the most significant outdoor music events.

ZOA City had always been the festival’s home, hosting several musical acts throughout the year. The annual festival was halted in 2020 with COVID-19’s wretched entrance, which is why this 2022 edition was much-awaited.

What to expect from Zurich Openair’s music repertoire

Zurich Openair’s main selling point is the stellar acts it scores. Over 50 artists take the stage at ZOA City, demonstrating mastery and talent in live entertainment.

As one can tell, the music is all about bringing diversity to the table. It doesn’t matter what music genre blasts through your headphones every day – Zurich Openair probably has it covered for you.

Progressive rock, indie pop, and electronic music dominate the festival, but other genres still get their time in the limelight.

Known as a difficult act to score and follow, Kendrick Lamar’s 2018 performance redefined Zurich Openair as a festival appreciative of all genres.

From Nicolas Jaar to Liam Gallagher, the Swiss festival doesn’t disappoint regarding music diversity.

A paradisal music haven

Spanning a large area of greenland, Zurich Openair festival is in the far north of the Swiss capital, close to the airport.

ZOA City is an event venue with no shortage of space in a green field doubling as the Dolder ice-skating rink in winter, so don’t worry about not having room to show off your moves.

Get flabbergasted by the stage design

Zurich Openair boasts three stages – the Main Stage for headliners, Tent Stage, and Dance Circus.

The stages feature elaborate decoratations, so expect a feast for the eyes and ears. Hangar, a dance and performance area close to Dance Circus, will be run by Zurich’s most beloved nightclubs – like the vibrant Exil – welcoming up-and-coming talents.

Wandering through ZOA City, you’ll come across many bars, toilets, and food and drink areas.

Embrace the festival life at Zurich Openair Festival

A camping site sits majestically as close to the stages as possible, but RVs and vans aren’t part of the picture, so bring your tent. If you’re not in your Bear Grylls element, Airbnb options will satisfy your needs.

As live music fans, we recommend you embrace the collective energy of setting up tents with strangers-turned-neighbors.

Not all those who wander are lost

While the site is already picturesque, Zurich Openair is an idyllic location close to a range of hiking trails, parks like MFO Park, and lakes that make up for the festival’s lack of on-site activities.

If that doesn’t strike your fancy, take a short bus ride to the city center and visit the biggest art museum in Switzerland, Kunsthaus Zurich.

If you’re down to do some shopping, Downtown Zurich is a fashion hub.

Zurich Openair is a musical retreat with pop-up parties

Its unwavering focus on raw live talents sets the Zurich Openair festival apart from its counterparts. Unlike most city-based festivals, Zurich Openair strikes a balance between rural beauty and modernity.

On festival grounds, keep an eye out for tents set up by underground nightclubs in Zurich because it’s a Russian doll type of situation. Mini parties led by beloved local DJs add to the non-stop partying energy.

Arctic Monkeys really said, “Zurich Openair festival, I choose you!”

After nine years of a Zurich Openair unplanned hiatus, lusted-after rock band Arctic Monkeys made a comeback at the Swiss festival.

The band had not been on tour since 2020, and, much as you can imagine, their performance announcement brought Tumblr back to 2022.

Zurich Openair added an extra day to its 2022 edition to celebrate the legendary return – it doesn’t happen every day for a music festival to receive such an honor.

Zurich Openair festival got you covered

If you are a clumsy packer, worry not – Zurich Openair has a market for all camping and festival needs run by Secondhand Day‘s environmental initiative.

What takes the cake is how it is entirely run by secondhand shops, meaning you can consciously shop while dancing your days away.

With over 25 food options at the Swiss festival, you will stay full and ready to embark on a live music journey.

From Egyptian street food to traditional Swiss raclette, Zurich Openair is a foodie’s daydream.

It’s hot to be green – or at least that’s what Zurich Openair thinks

With goals to bring forth an eco-conscious approach to festivals, Zurich Openair has teamed up with public transportation to limit vehicular use and carbon emission.

Parking is not available on-site to implement active change, and festival-goers can opt for paid public parking.