Culture Calendar

From Easter markets to music festivals and city marathons, April promises to be a fun-packed month. We’re here to help you make the most of it!

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

EASTER MARKET AT SCHÖNBRUNN CASTLE, VIENNA (25 MARCH – 11 APRIL)

Vienna’s various Easter Markets are a true seasonal highlight and well beloved by locals and tourists alike. Head to beautiful Schönbrunn Castle and enjoy treats and trinkets offered by over 70 exhibitors. Whether you are looking for inspiration for your own Easter egg decorations or fancy stocking up – this is the place to be in April.

www.ostermarkt.co.at

BERLIN HALF MARATHON (2 APRIL)

Have you ever heard of ‘the fastest sightseeing tour in sneakers’? That’s what this half marathon across the German capital is sometimes called. It is not surprising that it attracts over 30,000 passionate runners every year. Open to runners, wheelchair users and inline skaters, it promises to be great fun – even if you just come to cheer the runners on. www.generali-berliner-halbmarathon.de

FESTTAGE BERLIN (2 – 10 APRIL)

The classical music highlight of the Easter season is the annual festival ‘Festtage der Staatsoper Berlin‘, which is performed at two venues: the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the Philharmonie Berlin. Founded by star conductor Daniel Barenboim, the festival has become a firm favourite over the past 25 years. This year’s edition includes Wagner’s famous ‘Ring’ tetralogy. www.staatsoper-berlin.de

SECHSELÄUTEN SPRING FESTIVAL, ZURICH (14

– 17 APRIL) www.sechselaeuten.ch

This traditional Swiss festival is a little bit like the American ‘groundhog weather forecaster’. However, here a snowman figure called ‘Böögg’ is placed on the top of a bonfire. It is then ‘asked’ to forecast the weather for the coming summer. The fire is lit and the faster it reaches the ‘Böögg’, the warmer summer will be. Over the course of this special weekend, there are many accompanying events, parties and traditional balls.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, BERLIN (15

– 16 APRIL) www.berlin.de

We know it’s spring when cherry blossoms pop up all around us, painting our world in a shade of pastel pink. This beautiful festival celebrates the stunning Japanese cherry blossoms that fill the Gärten der Welt in Berlin’s Mahrzahn. Around 25,000 guests flock to the festival to welcome spring together. Some stunning scenery awaits.

57TH SPRING FUN FAIR, MUNICH (21 APRIL – 07 MAY)

Pretzels as far as the eye can see: the traditional spring fun fair, called ‘Frühlingsfest’ in German, is the little sister of the legendary Oktoberfest, with two big beer tents. Let your hair down, have some fun and enjoy over 100 rides and attractions.

www.fruehlingsfest-muenchen.bayern

16TH RECORD STORE DAY, BERLIN (22 APRIL)

The tradition originated in the U.S., but the idea has been catching on like wildfire across independent record stores all over the world. So, on the 16th Record Store Day, Berlin's vinyl and indie music specialists open their doors to celebrate this special occasion in style. www.recordstoredaygermany.de

MARATHON, ZURICH (23 APRIL)

Got your running shoes ready? Regardless of whether you are a professional or a beginner, Zurich’s marathon features the most idyllic route along Lake Zurich and across the charming city centre. It is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart marathon season and it is certainly a known highlight in the international marathon event calendar.

www.zuerichmarathon.ch