Culture Calendar: April 2025

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

From Vienna’s charming Easter market to Berlin’s dazzling cherry blossom festival and Zurich’s fiery Sechseläuten tradition, this month’s culture calendar is packed with vibrant celebrations, music and sporting events.

Easter market Schönbrunn. Schloss Hof 075 © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. – Michal Cilc_print

EASTER MARKET AT SCHÖNBRUNN CASTLE, VIENNA (27 MARCH – 21 APRIL)

The colourful Easter market at the yard of famous Schloss Schönbrunn brings a lovely range of different exhibitors from Austria to the city. Here, you can get some inspiration for your own Easter egg decorations and of course take a little crafty souvenir home with you – a perfect morning with the kids or on your own.

www.schoenbrunn.at

Easter market Schönbrunn. Photo: SKB, Astrid Knie

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, BERLIN (5-6 APRIL)

When the cherry blossoms paint our world in a shade of pastel pink, we know spring is in full swing. This beautiful festival celebrates the stunning Japanese cherry blossoms that fill the Gärten der Welt in Berlin’s Mahrzahn. Each year, around 25,000 visitors come to the festival to take in the stunning pink sight.

www.berlin.de

BERLIN HALF MARATHON (6 APRIL)

Fancy doing what’s known as ‘the fastest sightseeing tour in sneakers’? The half marathon across the German capital is exactly that. Every year, the sporty event attracts over 30,000 passionate runners of all levels. Open to runners, wheelchair users and even inline skaters, it’s a fun day for everyone – even if you just come to cheer the runners on.

www.generali-berliner-halbmarathon.de

Staatsoper Berlin. Photo: Ebener

FESTTAGE BERLIN, BERLIN (11-21 APRIL)

A musical highlight of the Easter season is the annual festival Festtage der Staatsoper Berlin, performed at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the Philharmonie Berlin. The festival was originally funded by star conductor Daniel Barenboim and has become a popular event over the past decades. This year’s edition includes Bellini’s famous Norma, alongside Wagner’s Parsifal, one of the most unusual works in opera history.

www.staatsoper-berlin.de/en/programme/festtage-2025/

Staatsoper Berlin. Photo: Ebener

RECORD STORE DAY, BERLIN (12 APRIL)

Although, this tradition originated in the US, the idea has been catching on in the independent record stores across the globe. It should come as no surprise that Record Store Day has been celebrated for a long time in Berlin as well. Get ready for Berlin’s vinyl and indie music specialists to open their doors and welcome record lovers from around the world.

www.recordstoredaygermany.de

MARATHON, ZURICH (13 APRIL)

Whether you’re a running pro or a beginner, Zurich’s marathon features the most idyllic route along Lake Zurich and the beautiful city centre. This event is a fabulous way to start the marathon season – a true highlight in the local and international marathon event calendar.

www.zuerichmarathon.ch

SPRING FUN FAIR, MUNICH (19 APRIL-05 MAY)

It’s that time again – think pretzels, roller-coaster, and beer. Sometimes referred to as the little sister of the infamous Oktoberfest, Munich’s traditional spring fun fair called Frühlingsfest is fun for all ages with over 100 rides and attractions.

www.fruehlingsfest-muenchen.bayern/spring-fest-munich

Sechseläuten. Photo: Zentralkomitee der Zünfte Zürichs ZZZ

SECHSELÄUTEN SPRING FESTIVAL, ZURICH (25-28 APRIL)

At this traditional event, a snowman figure called Böögg is placed on the top of a bonfire before it is asked to forecast the weather for the coming summer. The fire is lit and the faster it reaches the Böögg figure, the warmer the summer will be. Over the course of this special weekend, there are many accompanying events, parties and traditional balls.

www.sechselaeuten.ch