Groups & clubs in Switzerland

The English Theatre Group Zug has been wowing audiences with English-language theatre since 1987. As well as Zug’s largest theatre group, ETGZ also sports the city’s largest English-speaking choir: The Zug Show Choir.

Founded in 1954, the Zurich English-Speaking Theatre or ZEST is an amateur dramatic theatre group which puts on at least two English-language productions each year. The group is entirely self-funded and open to anyone who wishes to join.

Zurich's premier English Performing Arts Academy for children, youth, and adults, Close Encounters Theatre offers inspiring courses, captivating performances, and innovative corporate training.

An English-speaking performing arts school for children aged four to 18 years old, with branches in Zurich, Zug, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva and Annecy. Simply Theatre offers weekly instruction on all types of theatre, alongside full productions and summer camps.

The Geneva English Drama Society has brought together amateur dramatists from across the region since 1933. The group puts on three full-stage productions every year, as well as workshops, readings and social events. All nationalities and experience levels are welcome!

Join in harmony with SING Geneva, a non-audition pop choir that sings in English. The group welcomes those of all ages and abilities and offers group workshops and events to help you find your voice.

Specialising in the British theatrical style of pantomime, the Basel English Panto Group spends the year building up to one big performance that it holds every year. English-speaking volunteers are welcome to join in all roles, from actors to set design to music and ticketing.

Semi Circle is a modern amateur dramatic society focusing on English-speaking theatre. As well as regular productions, the group helps build its community through social events, workshops and quizzes.

Founded by English students at the University of Basel, the Gay Beggars Drama Group is an amateur dramatics association which puts on two shows a year. All English speakers are welcome to volunteer and join their productions. 

Open to singers of all skills, the English Seminar Choir offers weekly singing rehearsals during the University term. It focuses on classical pieces of music, and performs at local events in Basel.

Lausanne’s premier English-language theatre group, The Village Players is a friendly community of expats and English speakers. The group puts on regular performances, as well as more informal events such as readings, open mic nights and poetry recitals.

Based in the town of Vevey, Total Musical Theatre has been putting on events to explore, learn about and perform all aspects of musical theatre since 2011. Social events and musical workshops are also offered.

The largest English-language theatre group in Bern, Upstage has been delighting audiences since 1982. The group welcomes as many expat volunteers as possible to help create the two shows it puts on every year.

Fa7 is a jazz, pop and gospel choir based in Lausanne. The group welcomes anyone who can sing in tune in English, offering regular rehearsals and day-long singing experiences and excursions.

Founded in 2011, the Lucerne World Theatre Company is the go-to place for amateur dramatics in the city. Anyone with a passion for theatre and the arts is able to participate in their many productions and workshops.

Founded in 2023, the International Running Club Zurich is aimed at building a community of runners of all levels. Whether it’s professional running events, community runs and social gatherings, IRC ZRH has something for everyone.

Welcoming both newcomers to netball and seasoned pros, the Zurich Netball Club has been running since 2009. People from all over the world play in the team, which has regular training sessions and competes in a national league.

Offering over 25 weekly sessions in over 10 different sports, Geneva Sports Club is your one-stop shop for expat-friendly sports in the city. From badminton and futsal to padel, you are bound to find a favourite to play with the club's 8.800 members.

Welcoming newcomers to the wonderful world of cricket alongside catering to the more seasoned crowd, Basel Cricket Club offers both indoor and outdoor cricket training and matches in English.

The largest English-speaking running club in the city, the Basel Dragons Running Club brings expats together through regular training sessions. Whether you are preparing for your first 5-kilometre run or getting ready for the Iron Man, the club provides the community you need.

Welcoming newcomers and experienced players alike, the Rugby Club of Lucerne is one of the largest English-speaking sports clubs in the region. The team offers everything, from nearly professional teams down to junior level.

Bern Rugby Club has a long history of success on the field, and in getting young and old into the sport. With weekly training sessions during the season, the club is open to all.

Since 2014, the Zug Zurich Peloton has been running cycling events and excursions with expats in mind. Every Saturday, the club takes on an 80-kilometre cycle ride around Rigi, alongside more relaxed training events and social occasions.

The Lucerne Lions Cricket Club is an ideal way for you or your family to get into the sport. Through its regular training sessions, it provides a strong sporting community with an expat focus.

The American International Club of Zurich was founded in 1957 and provides a non-political, international networking forum for members of all nationalities. Regardless of age, gender, nationality or profession, members enjoy the candid openness and positive, friendly atmosphere that is so inherent in North American culture, and enjoy spending time with other like-minded people to fully benefit from and enrich the experience of living in Switzerland.

Founded in 1963, the English Speaking Club of Zurich started out as a group of people who simply wanted to speak English together. Today, the club organises frequent and interesting activities designed for both expats and locals.

Founded nearly 100 years ago, the American Women’s Club of Zurich is a large community for English speakers of all nationalities. The group offers a myriad of different activities, from home skills and languages to social events designed to boost your friend group in the city.

The Indian Association of Greater Zurich is focused on hosting and bringing expats and locals together, regardless of nationality. They aim to provide a platform for the expat community through its fusion of seasonal and typical Indian celebrations.

A thriving social group with over 400 members, the Zurich International Women’s Association offers English-speaking social events to women of all nationalities. ZIWA offers everything from events to interest groups.

The AIC is focused on creating an interconnected community of expats in Geneva and the wider Lac Léman region. They pride themselves on offering engaging social events, workshops and information sessions.

Geneva EXPATS is a platform where internationals can share information, interact and meet with other members of the community. It also serves as a hub of information about how to live in the city.

Centrepoint offers its members regular English-language integration classes in Basel. They also provide a variety of outdoor activities, excursions, workshops and social events, where all nationalities are welcome.

BaselConnect is a platform which supports interaction between expats and locals in the city. They do this by offering frequent language sessions, workshops and meet and greets. 

Formerly the International Club of Lausanne, The International Friends is a platform to help expats organise, host and attend events and tours in English. Activities are organised monthly.

Connecting English-speaking women of all nationalities through engaging social, sporting and charitable events, the International Women’s Club of Lausanne has been a staple of expatriate life in and around Lausanne since 1968.

Since 1978, the English Speaking Club of Bern has been a meeting point for English speakers. Through their own bar, they put on a range of social activities perfect for networking with other internationals.

The British Residents’ Association of Switzerland (BRA) offers numerous cultural, recreational and social events for British, Commonwealth and Irish citizens. The group is active throughout Switzerland, with six distinct regions.

The Anglo-Swiss Club is a social club open to people of all nationalities who want to connect with other English speakers. They put on regular events and meetups throughout the year.

The International Women's Club of Lucerne is a community of English-speaking women who put on a wide range of activities and social events for expats. People from over 20 different nationalities attend their regular meetings.

A group which welcomes people from across the St. Gallen region, the Anglo-Swiss Circle puts on regular talks, visits and social events designed to get expats connected to other internationals and locals.

Founded in 1967, the Zug International Women’s Club promotes social and professional connections among English speakers. The club is an ideal place to connect with like-minded female expats.

Open to men of all ages, the International Men’s Club of Zug serves the English-speaking community in the city. The club has a regular “Stammtisch” evening every week, alongside a summer party and other ad hoc events.

Offering regular meet-up sessions and networking events, the Zürich Networking Group is a platform for entrepreneurs, both expat and local, to interact with each other. It also has a business directory to help members connect based on their shared interests and ideas.

The Professional Women’s Group Zurich focuses on getting its members engaged in the world of work and entrepreneurship, as well as on society and women’s issues in the workplace.

BPW Lake Geneva is the first business and professional women's association in Switzerland to be English-speaking. They are focused on promoting and empowering women in their careers.

Basel Area is the strategic growth partner helping life science and tech ventures to settle, start and scale in the Basel Area. If you're looking to locate, launch or level-up in the region, they help you grow in the region. Their events offer a great opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and build your network.

A community for curious and forward-thinking female expats, the Professional Women’s Group focuses on providing internationals with empowering workshops, talks and skill-sharing sessions.

The Lausanne Entrepreneur Networking Group brings together English-speaking professionals and employers from across the region. Their informal network events allow participants to brainstorm ideas and foster collaboration.

A community to share in all the ups and downs of starting a business, the Entrepreneurship Club Bern is a forum to connect with like-minded people, form collaborations and give a platform to new business ideas.

In addition to language integration courses and events for newcomers to Lucerne, the LiLi Centre also helps English speakers get their business off the ground. Their small business partners group have regular meetings to help make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality.

Democrats Abroad is the expat community for members of the American Democratic Party. They put on regular meetings and events in Zurich, Basel, Lausanne and Geneva.

Amnesty Zurich English Group is a human rights group which welcomes all nationalities. It pushes for human rights and social justice through meetings, demonstrations and other activities.

The Diplomatic Club of Geneva is recognised by federal, cantonal and United Nations authorities as the official club of the international community. They put on various visits, meetings and debates with top officials and diplomatic heavyweights.

Offering regular face-to-face meetings, the Toastmasters Club is designed to provide English speakers with the skills to convey their ideas clearly and thoroughly.  

Sporting over 650 registered families from 70 countries around the world, the English-speaking Catholic Mission provides Holy Mass every week. 

Situated above Stadelhofen station, St. Andrew’s Church is the Zurich headquarters for the Anglican faith. They provide a range of Christian services every week, including some in Zug, Turgi and St. Gallen.

The Swiss Muslim Society in Zurich is dedicated to the English-language worship of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Whether you are a Muslim or are just interested in Islam, the society welcomes you with open arms.

Adherents to Judaism in Switzerland can attend the Israelite Cultural Council of Zurich. The organisation provides all the traditions and events needed to live a faithful and full Jewish life.

The Holy Trinity Church in Geneva is a lively and diverse Anglican community with a wide range of services and activities for adults and children.

Serving the English-speaking Catholic community of Geneva and the wider region, St John XXIII Parish has been running since 1971. The Church provides regular services and caters to worshippers from more than 100 nationalities.

The Fondation Culturelle Islamique de Genève caters to the 30.000 strong Muslim community in the city. Services and live transcriptions are provided in both French and English.

The Communauté Juive Libérale de Genève (GIL) heads the Jewish services, catering and activities in the city. Though mostly in French, the GIL has a growing English-speaking community. 

The Anglican Church in Basel welcomes all Christians regardless of denomination to regular services and community events. The church hosts events from multiple locations across the city.

From its base in the heart of the city, Christ Church Lausanne offers a full range of Christian services and events. Though an Anglican Episcopal church, it welcomes those of any faith and those of none.

St Ursula’s Church is an English-speaking church of the Anglican Communion welcoming all, wherever they are on the journey of faith and whatever their church background. They offer Eucharist services every Sunday morning in Bern and every first Tuesday of the month in Thun.

Welcoming visitors from all cultures, backgrounds and faiths, the International Church of Lucerne provides Christian services from the heart of central Switzerland.

The Anglican Congregation in St. Gallen gives Christians in eastern Switzerland semi-regular services in English. They are based in the Christkatholische Kirche in the heart of the city.

Lift is an international, English-speaking Christian church which meets regularly in Zug. Alongside regular worship, Lift also offers social events throughout the year. 

Page to Stage is a musical theatre Verein that was founded in Basel in 2024. Their mission is to make the arts more accessible to young creatives. They regularly put on shows, workshops, events and more.

LIONS Fest is a Zurich-based international community connecting young corporate professionals through curated experiences that blend premium nightlife, culture, and networking. Launched in 2024, it brings together 400+ guests per event in five-star venues with top DJs, while expanding beyond parties into conferences, wellness, and cultural experiences.