Local Festivals for 2010

This is a list of upcoming local festivals or events that aren't Anglo-centric - but you'll have a good time anyway.

Zürcher Theater Spektakel – Yet another theatre festival, this one held outdoors in tents on the Landiwiese and including some excellent buskers & international food stalls. Some of the events are in English. August 19 to September 5. www.theaterspektakel.ch

Weltklasse Zürich – The international track meet takes place at Zurich’s new Letzigrund stadium on August 19. www.weltklassezuerich.ch

Zurich Film Festival – 11 days packed with excellent movies from all over the world and an increasing number of red carpet stars. Come by and see if anyone else gets arrested this year… September 23 to October 3. www.zurichfilmfestival.org

Long Night of the Museums – One ticket gets you into most of Zurich's museums for one evening, many of which stay open until 2am. Bars and lounges keep you lubricated and receptive to all kinds of art. September 4, from 7pm. www.langenacht.ch

Knabenschiessen – What sounds like boys being shot is actually boys & girls shooting - at targets in the Schützenhaus Albisgüetli. There is also a fair with lots of rides, candy and other things to make you pleasantly sick. September 11 - 13, all day. www.knabenschiessen.ch

freestyle.ch – The largest freestyle sports event in Europe, from September 25 to 26. www.freestyle.ch

Expovina – Taste wines from all over the world on 12 boats moored off Bürkliplatz. November 4 to 18. www.expovina.ch

Lange Nacht der Hotelbars – Participating 4 & 5-star hotels open up their bars to a variety of events for this high-end pub crawl on November 6. Book tickets online. www.langenachtderhotelbars.ch

Zurich Christmas Market – Zurich's central train station plays host to more than 100 stalls offering food, handicrafts and trinkets from around the world. November 26 - December 24. www.christkindlimarkt.ch

Christmas Market – This market is older than the one at the train station and runs along Niederdorfstrasse and Spitalgasse and covers Rosenhof and Hirschenplatz. Slightly less expensive, with more handmade gifts, it's also somewhat more relaxing. December 8 - 23.

Lichterschwimmen – Primary school children release little floating candles into the Limmat River at the Rathausbrücke to celebrate the pre-Christmas season. December 16, from 5 pm

Silvesterlauf – If running around the old town in the freezing cold with thousands of likeminded people sounds like fun, this is for you. Laps of 1.5 to 8.6 kms are open to various age groups. December 12. www.silvesterlauf.ch