The summer months at Zurich Airport are all about its 75th anniversary and offer a variety of attractions. A big highlight will be the airport festival for the population from September 1 to 3, 2023.

14 June to 8 September 2023: Interactive airport exhibition at Airport Shopping

"Yesterday – today – tomorrow. In motion with you." is the motto of the interactive airport exhibition at the Airport Shopping. Among other things, uniforms from different eras are exhibited and the evolution of aircraft technology is presented with aircraft models. A world map illustrates the current and historic route network from Zurich and interested parties can follow the development of the airport infrastructure at an interactive station. An island of the future shows Zurich Airport in the year 2040 and visualises, among other things, the construction projects and sustainability goals. The exhibition also features testimonials from contemporary witnesses. Prizes are raffled off every week. The exhibition runs from June 14 to September 8, is free and open to the public.

14 June 2023: First flight special programme on Observation Deck B 

On this special historic day, the Observation Deck Bis all about nostalgia. 75 years ago, a Swissair Douglas DC-4 was the first aircraft to take off from Zurich Airport in the direction of London. On June 14, 2023, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft will make an overflight, then land at Zurich Airport and park directly at Dock B. There is an American diner-style marquee with food, drinks and concerts by a 50s band o the Observation Deck B. Children can enjoy the playground equipment and pedal flyers. Free round trips and a mini-casino are also featured. Admission to the Observation Deck B will be free of charge on this anniversary day. Opening hours run from 10:00 to 21:00.

1-3 September 2023: Airport festival for the population 

The airport festival will take place on the Tango Stand, in the Circle and The Park. The event areas are barrier-free and admission is free of charge. Food trucks, barbecue stands and bars provide for the physical well-being at all locations. On Friday evening at 6:15 p.m., the official ceremony will take place with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, Governement Councillor of the Canton of Zurich Carmen Walker Späh, Josef Felder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Flughafen Zürich AG, and presenter and comedian Fabian Unteregger. This ceremony will also be free and open to the general public.

Tango event area with numerous attractions 

On the Tango Stand, in the aircraft maintenance and the noise protection hangar – which will be open to the public for the first time - helicopters and special vehicles from different eras will entice visitors to discover and try things out. Commented live shows about flight operations, an aircraft baptism, flight simulators and demonstrations provide insights into the fascinating world of aviation. A highlight will be the Patrouille Suisse air show together with Helvetic Airways on Friday and Sunday afternoons. Various concerts will take place on the show stage on the Tango Stand: On Saturday evening, Luca Hänni will perform with the Zurich Airport Orchestra. In addition, there is a varied children's program with a children's circus tent and children's concerts with Marius from the Jagdkapelle on Saturday and singing and dance workshops with the Schwiizergoofe Dance Coaches on Sunday.

Varied cultural program in the Circle and Park 

The Circle and Park are under the motto "Around the World" and invite guests to linger and enjoy. Throughout the day, various musical and dance performances celebrating the variety of destinations at Zurich Airport will take place in the Circle alleys and in the Park. On the sky platform there is a chain carousel for all ages.

Opening hours of the airport festival: 

Friday, 1 September 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. 
Saturday, 2 September 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
Sunday,  3 September 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

More information: www.flughafenfest.ch

Observation Deck B: No public access during festive days

On the weekend of the airport festival from September 1- 3, the organising team expects around 120,000 to 150,000 guests. In order to minimise the impact on passenger operations, Observation Deck B will remain closed during the festival. On Saturday and Sunday there will be a spotter-brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with limited seats. Reservations are now open here.

Special offer for all 75-year-olds

A special gift awaits all those who celebrate their 75th birthday this year - just like Zurich Airport: From June 15 to December 31, 2023, all persons born in 1948 will be allowed to access Observation Deck B free of charge. To do this, simply show an identity card at the entrance. The number of accesses is not limited.

Sponsors and partners 

The main sponsors of the airport festival are IG Flughafen Zürich and Zürcher Kantonalbank. 

Other sponsors include: 
Gold Sponsors: Dufry, Eberhard Unternehmungen 

Silver sponsors: Autogrill Schweiz AG, Baumann Koelliker AG, ETAVIS AG, k kiosk, Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Marché, Marti AG, Specogna Bau AG, Select Service Partner (Schweiz) AG, Steiner Flughafebeck AG, Swissport International AG, Tissot, Walo Bertschinger AG 

Bronze sponsors: Beyond Gravity, Burkhalter Technics AG, Chair Airlines, Keller-Frei AG, Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, Reparatur- und Sanierungstechnik Nord AG, Sunrise Business 
Airline Partner: Edelweiss Air, Swiss International Air Lines 

Supporter: Custodio AG, Implenia AG, MIGROS, show-concept.ch, VBG 

Media partners: Radio 24, Tele Züri, Züri Today 

Patrons: Basler & Hofmann AG, KIBAG Bauleistungen AG