Knabenschiessen: All you need to know about the famed Zurich festival

Every September, the residents of Canton Zurich in Switzerland let their hair down and watch astounding feats of marksmanship at Knabenschiessen. Here’s what you need to know about the festival, what there is to do and whether workers in the region are given a day off.

All you need to know about Knabenschiessen in Zurich

Literally translating to “Boys' Shooting”, Knabenschiessen is an annual festival in Zurich and is one of the largest events held in the city. Every year, the fields around Albisgütli are transformed into a massive folk festival and fairground, attracting up to 800.000 visitors. 

When is Knabenschiessen?

Knabenschiessen takes place on the second weekend of September every year, meaning in 2026 it will be held from September 12 to September 14.

What happens during Knabenschiessen in Zurich?

At the centre of the event is a shooting competition, where around 5.000 boys and girls aged between 13 and 17 years old compete to be crowned the Shooting King or Queen. Any young person who lives or goes to school in Canton Zurich can participate.

Each entrant is issued the standard assault rifle of the Swiss Army - the Sturmgewehr 90 (SIG 550) - and a bipod. They then shoot at targets 300 metres away, with those with the highest scores progressing until a Shooting King or Queen is declared on Monday. The first prize in the competition is 5.000 francs. 

The fairground at Zurich Knabenschiessen (Chilbi)

Today, most visitors to Knabenschiessen attend because of the massive fairground (Chilbi) that is set up to celebrate the event. Over 300 fairground rides and stalls are dotted around Albisgütli, satisfying any fan of fun and adrenaline.

Is Knabenschiessen a day off in Zurich?

While Knabenschiessen is a major local observance in the city of Zurich, it is not an official statutory public holiday. Therefore, it is up to the employer whether employees are given the day off and each company takes a slightly different approach.

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The local council, for example, gives all public sector workers a half-day off on the Monday of Knabenschiessen. Many local businesses follow this approach, which is why some stores may be closed in Zurich from 1pm on Monday.

Schools in the city are given the whole of Monday off so that the kids can participate in the competition and enjoy the rides at the Chilbi.

How to visit Knabenschiessen

As there are no parking spaces available, the best way to get to Knabenschiessen is to take public transport to Albisgütli.

• By tram: Take tram lines 13 or 17 to Laubegg
• By bus: Take lines 32 or 89 to Strassenverkehrsamt
• By train: Take the S4 train to Zürich Saalsporthalle, and then take a short walk up the hill to the festival

History of shooting competitions in Zurich

Knabenschiessen is one of the oldest traditions in Switzerland, having begun in the 17th century as a competition called Chnaabeschüüsset. At the time, boys resident in Zurich were required to train with military weapons, should they be called on to defend the canton. To encourage this training, cantonal authorities began offering prizes to the children most adept with weapons.

The first ever documented competition was in 1656 when 144 boys won silver-plated coins at a shooting event at the Sihlhölzli. In the lead-up to the competition, the young men paraded around Zurich with flags, drums and pipes, and were offered complimentary drinks from local bars. This annual tradition continued until 1893.

In 1899, the event in its modern form was born when 5.000 boys competed for the title of Shooting King in Albisgütli. The second weekend of September was chosen as the regular date so that it could align with Zürichilbi on September 11 - the feast day of the Zurich patron saints Felix and Regula. Finally, in 1991, girls were given the chance to compete too.

Enjoy all that Züricher Knabenschiessen has to offer!

We hope that you enjoy all that Züricher Knabenschiessen has to offer. If you plan to compete in the competition, in the words of German poet Friedrich Schiller: "here, shooter, it is time to show your art: the target is worthy and the prize is great!"