Zurich events & things to do in November 2026
Start with Uetliberg, Lake Zürich and Burkliplatz boats, plus Bahnhofstrasse. November in Zurich averages 8°C / 46°F highs, 3°C / 37°F nights, and about 10 rainy days.
Expect 8°C/46°F days and about 10 rainy ones in November. Start with these:
- Uetliberg★ 4.8 · 2.6k reviewsZürich's local mountain rises west of the city with forest trails, a lookout tower, ridge walks, and views over the lake and Alps.
- Lake Zürich and Burkliplatz boats★ 4.5 · 813 reviewsLake boats leave from Burkliplatz for short loops and longer trips toward Rapperswil, with mountain views on clear days.
- AmistatNov 1Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Zurich in November 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
46°F / 37°F
7.6°C / 2.6°C
RainPrecipitation
10d
3.1in · 80mm
LightDaylight
9h
November is cold and grey, so use galleries, old-town cafes, and shorter tram-linked routes.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Nov 4
- Nov 5 – Nov 15
Zurich Film Festival 2026
An international film festival showcasing new films from around the world, including premieres, workshops, and panel discussions.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 5
Show all 35 events for November
- Nov 8
- Nov 8
- Nov 10 – Nov 20
Zürcher Theater Spektakel 2026
A contemporary theater festival featuring international and local performances in various venues across Zurich.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 10
- Nov 11
- Nov 11
- Nov 12
- Nov 12
- Nov 13
- Nov 13
- Nov 13
- Nov 14
Lichterschwimmen (Floating Lantern Festival)
A traditional event where participants release floating lanterns on the Limmat river, creating a magical evening atmosphere.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 15
- Nov 16
- Nov 17
- Nov 18
- Nov 18
- Nov 18
- Nov 19
- Nov 20 – Nov 22
Zurich Art Weekend 2026
A weekend event featuring gallery openings, art fairs, and special exhibitions throughout the city.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 20
- Nov 21
- Nov 21
- Nov 23
- Nov 24
- Nov 24
- Nov 25
- Nov 29
- Nov 29
- Nov 30
- Nov 30
- Nov 30
About Zurich
City overview
Zürich sits where Lake Zürich drains into the Limmat, with Altstadt, Niederdorf, Lindenhof, Enge, Kreis 4, Kreis 5, and Zürich-West mixing medieval lanes, banking streets, lake boats, art museums, nightlife, rail hubs, and Swiss day trips. The city is compact and expensive, but trams, lake ferries, river swimming, and fast trains make it a precise base rather than only a finance center.
Food & drink
Zürich food is Swiss-German and lake-city specific: Zuercher Geschnetzeltes cooks sliced veal in cream and mushroom sauce beside roesti, fondue and raclette cover the melted-cheese lane, birchermuesli is the local breakfast classic, and lake fish appears on Seefeld and waterfront menus. Niederdorf, Bahnhofstrasse confectioners, Viadukt Market Hall, Kronenhalle, Spruengli, Seefeld, and Langstrasse add sausages, Luxemburgerli, chocolate, and wine bars.
Top sights
Ranked for November suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Bahnhofstrasse
- 2Kunsthaus Zürich
- 3Swiss National Museum
- 4Grossmünster
- 5Fraumünster
- 6St Peter Church
- 7Zürich-West and Viadukt
- 8Lindenhof
1Bahnhofstrasse
4.7★ · 1,073mixedThe shopping street runs from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to the lake, passing Paradeplatz, banks, department stores, luxury shops, and tram lines. Side lanes lead quickly into the old town.
Wikipedia
2Kunsthaus Zürich
4.7★ · 9,042indoorClosed MonThe art museum holds Swiss art, Giacometti, Hodler, Impressionists, modern works, and newer exhibition spaces near Heimplatz. It is walkable from Niederdorf and the university quarter.
Wikipedia
3Swiss National Museum
4.6★ · 9,881indoorClosed MonThe castle-like museum beside Hauptbahnhof covers Swiss cultural history, archaeology, crafts, weapons, textiles, and design. Its location makes it an easy arrival-day stop.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Grossmünster
- 5Fraumünster
- 6St Peter Church
Neighborhoods
1Altstadt and Niederdorf
Altstadt and Niederdorf are medieval and river-facing, with Grossmünster, cafes, guild houses, narrow lanes, bars, and Limmat bridges.
2Lindenhof and Bahnhofstrasse
Lindenhof and Bahnhofstrasse combine hilltop quiet, luxury shopping, Paradeplatz, St Peter, side lanes, and the main station approach.
3Seefeld and Bellevue
Seefeld and Bellevue are lake-oriented, with opera house, promenades, restaurants, parks, bathing areas, and tram links along the shore.
Day trips
55km / 45-50min by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof
Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, old town, lake boats, Swiss Museum of Transport, and Pilatus or Rigi links make the easiest full day.
50km / 50-60min by train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or Neuhausen
Rhine Falls
Europe's largest waterfall has viewing platforms, boats, castles, and paths around the river basin.
40km / 35-45min by train or longer by lake boat from Burkliplatz
Rapperswil
Castle hill, rose gardens, lakefront, old town lanes, and boat returns make a lighter lake day.
Getting around
ZVV tickets cover trams, buses, S-Bahn, boats, funiculars, and regional trains by zone, with Zürich HB as the main rail hub. Use trams for the old town and lakefront, S-Bahn for Uetliberg and airport, and trains for Lucerne or Rhine Falls.
Planning a Zurich trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in November.
Common questions about Zurich in November
- What to pack for Zurich in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Zurich checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 8°C / 46°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 3°C / 37°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 10 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Zurich
- 4 days covers the main Zurich highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Zurich worth visiting in November
- Yes. November in Zurich averages 8°C / 46°F highs, 3°C / 37°F nights, and about 10 rainy days.
Ready to plan Zurich?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Zurich plan for November 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.