Expected alterations in Zurich's scene this year, including canine-focused initiatives and travel enhancements.
The New Year Kicks Off with a Controversial Decision in Zurich
The year 2023 saw Zurich taking a challenging step, following incidents involving Rottweilers attacking young children, leading to a ban on this breed in the canton. From January 1st, the canton prohibits the purchase of new Rottweilers.
The existing Rottweilers owned in the canton aren't banned, but their owners must apply for a permit and undergo tests to ensure none exhibit signs of aggressive behavior. Should the tests reveal any risk of biting, owners may be required to muzzle their dogs.
Cantonal authorities believe Rottweilers pose a greater potential threat compared to other dog breeds. With thisdecision, Zurich becomes the third Swiss canton to ban Rottweilers, following the lead of Geneva and Valais.
A Brighter Side – International Travel
On a more optimistic note, international travel remains a positive aspect. As of Monday to Saturday, an additional pair of Zurich-Munich trains now arrive two hours earlier in Munich and depart in the evening two hours later. The direct Zurich-Brig (Valais) train now extends to Domodossola in Italy.
Air Travel
Edelweiss, SWISS' sister airline, is adding seven new destinations from its Zurich hub to the summer timetable. Among the new routes are Seattle, USA, and Halifax, Canada, both with two weekly flights starting on June 2nd and July 3rd, respectively.
The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, will be served twice weekly from April 12th, as well as Bristol, UK, from June 2nd. Furthermore, Edelweiss will operate weekly flights to Terceira in the Azores (Portugal) starting from June 25th, Zadar in Croatia twice a week from June 28th, and Calvi in Corsica, once a week from July 6th.
EasyJet is also expanding its Zurich schedule with five additional destinations. Palma (Spain) will be served daily from March 30th, 2025, and another Spanish city, Málaga, will be added four times a week from March 31st. Flights to Faro, Spain, will start from April 1st, 2025, and to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, from May 1st, featuring twice-weekly flights. Lastly, there will be four flights weekly to Olbia, Sardinia, from June 23rd, 2025.
Voter's Choice
On May 18th, Zurich voters will decide on an amendment to the tax law, seeking a reduction in corporate taxes by 1 percent. Proponents claim the modest tax reduction will discourage companies from migrating to neighboring cantons with lower taxes, making Zurich more attractive as a business location.
Cultural Calendar
Zurich's cultural calendar for 2025 is packed with events throughout the year, starting with some exciting happenings in spring:
ZüriCarneval (March 7th to 9th) – Celebrate the city’s annual carnival in the heart of the Niederdorf quarter, where Guggen perform Caribbean and Latin American music at Hirschenplatz, or enjoy New Orleans jazz at Münsterhof.
Sechseläuten (April 28th) – Witness this centuries-old tradition symbolizing the beginning of spring in Zurich, where guild members in historical costumes, music ensembles, horses, flowers, flags, and the Boögg – the pyre with the snowman figure on top – are set alight when the clock of the St. Peter church strikes 6 pm.
Fire of Anatolia (25 April) – Catch a Turkish dance spectacular at The Hall Cultural Center, blending folk traditions, ballet, and modern choreography with elaborate costumes and light shows.
For more details on upcoming events in Zurich, head to [here].
- Despite Zurich's controversial decision to ban Rottweilers in 2023, the city offers a positive side when it comes to home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, as well as travel-related services, such as international travel being enhanced with additional train services and more flights from the Zurich hub.
- In a move to attract more businesses, Zurich voters will decide on an amendment to the tax law on May 18th, 2025, proposing a 1 percent reduction in corporate taxes, hoping to make Zurich a more competitive business location compared to neighboring cantons.
- The cultural calendar for 2025 in Zurich is characterized by several exciting events, including the annual ZüriCarneval, Sechseläuten, and Fire of Anatolia, as well as various opportunities for financial growth and self-development.
- For those seeking new destinations, Edelweiss is adding seven new routes from its Zurich hub to the summer timetable, including Seattle, USA, Halifax, Canada, Tbilisi, Georgia, Bristol, UK, Terceira in the Azores, Zadar in Croatia, and Calvi in Corsica.
- Mid-2025 will also see EasyJet expanding its Zurich schedule with five additional destinations, such as Palma, Málaga, Faro, Edinburgh, and Olbia, providing a wide variety of travel options for those looking to broaden their horizons.
