Seize Your July: VOX Cultural Digest Issue #52
July sits at the very peak of summer’s crest, swapping June’s tentative warmth for sultry sunsets and balmy nights. We’ve hand-picked this month’s hottest events so you can seize every sun-soaked moment.
🔍 July Quiz: Test Your Cultural IQ
-
Which language is known for having up to 16 noun classes (“genders”)?
- a) Swahili
- b) German
- c) Russian
- d) Hindi
-
Which canton is the largest by area in Switzerland?
- a) Zürich
- b) Graubünden
- c) Bern
- d) Ticino
(Keep scrolling for the answers…)
🎬 Open-Air Cinema
When: 17 July – 17 August
Where: Zurich Allianz Lakeside
The Zurich Allianz open-air cinema returns this month, transforming the lakeside into a twinkling movie theatre under the stars. Pack your picnic blanket, grab a gelato, and settle in for cult classics and summer blockbusters alike.
🎵 Music Festivals
Shake your tail feather at Switzerland’s sizzling summer music scene! From EDM to smooth jazz, these festivals will ignite your musical soul:
- Caliente
- Openair Frauenfeld
- Paléo Festival Nyon
- Moon and Stars
- Gurtenfestival
🌲 Rope Parks
Fancy flying through the treetops? Switzerland’s best rope parks—from Parc Aventure in the Alps to Seilpark Zürich—offer obstacle courses for all ages. Conquer nets, bridges and zip lines while soaking in jaw-dropping vistas.
🏄 Surfing
Catch a wave at Urbansurf, home to Switzerland’s only outdoor Citywave®. Refuel afterward with burgers, salads or a homemade iced coffee at the surf-kitchen bar. Feeling more adventurous? Try river surfing at Thun, Bremgarten or Flusswelle Thun.
⚽ UEFA Women’s EURO
When: 2 – 27 July
Where: Letzigrund Stadium & ZüriFanzone (Europaallee)
Zurich is one of eight host cities for UEFA Women’s EURO. Sixteen national teams battle it out at Letzigrund’s 24 000-seat stadium, while thousands gather at the ZüriFanzone for live screenings, street food and fan-zone festivities.
🎭 Opera for All
When: 12 July
Where: Sechseläutenplatz
Experience grand opera under the open sky! Zurich Opera House’s live broadcast on a giant screen makes high-art accessible to everyone—no tux required.
🎥 FILMFLUSS
When: 9 – 27 July
Where: Flussbad Unterer Letten
As twilight paints the sky, Flussbad Unterer Letten transforms into an enchanting open-air cinema. Float in the cool river as you watch a curated selection of international films.
🏊 Summer Badi
When: through October
Where: Zurich’s lakes, rivers & pools
Chill out with a refreshing dip—whether it’s a public pool, river swim or the annual Zurich Lakecrossing. Perfect for fitness buffs and sunbathers alike.
🍴 Street Food Festival
When: until 6 July
Where: Zurich
Taste the world in one place: from bao buns to bratwurst, artisanal pastries to fusion tacos. Great for lunch breaks, after-work aperitifs or a weekend culinary quest.
🌳 Wildnispark Zürich & Zoo Zürich
Discover 73 km of forest trails at Wildnispark Sihlwald—home to ancient trees and free-roaming wildlife—then step into the Masoala Rainforest and Lewa Savana at Zoo Zürich. A day of adventure and animal encounters!
💪 Vitaparcours
Zurich’s free outdoor fitness trails let you work out on your own schedule. Download the Vitaparcours app to personalize your route and track your progress among scenic parks and woodlands.
⛵ Arche 2.0
When: until 5 October
Where: Wasserkirche
Step aboard a full-scale wooden vessel built inside Zurich’s medieval church. Arche 2.0 is both art installation and “hope anchor”—inviting quiet reflection in a historic space.
🌿 Parks & Gardens
Zurich boasts around 70 green spaces—from manicured gardens to riverside lawns—perfect for picnics, people-watching or a midday work-break under a shady tree.
📝 Quiz Answers
1. (a) Swahili
Swahili organises its nouns into around 15–16 classes (including locatives), each marked by a distinctive prefix.
2. (b) Graubünden
The canton of Graubünden covers about 7 105 km², making it Switzerland’s largest by area.
