Summary of the most important information about the Zug Trade Fair 2022

The meadow green and gravel grey of the Stierenmarktareal have given way to the white of marquees - a rather unusual sight after a two-year break. The anticipation for the 49th edition of Central Switzerland's largest autumn fair is thereby all the greater.

The city rail trains (S-Bahn) are full, both from Zug and from Cham. But they become empty after the Schutzengel stop, where hordes of people make their way over the platform and towards the stadium. This is typical for two things: Either the EVZ hockey team is playing at home in the Bossard Arena – or it is ‘Zuger Messe’. There are a few things to know about the annual trade fair this year, however.

When is the Zug trade fair (Zuger Messe) open?
The Zug trade fair is open daily from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October, between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. from Monday to Tuesday, and between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday. The fair also opens on the weekends from 10.30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and at 6 p.m. on Sundays. These times are only valid for the exhibition, however, as the restaurants remain open longer.

In addition, it is possible to have your offspring from the age of three looked after free of charge in the children's area (Kinderland). This is open between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. You can bring your  children on weekends from 10.30 a.m. and can pick them up again on Saturdays until 7 p.m. and Sundays until 6 p.m.

How much does it cost?
A single admission for adults costs CHF 14, while children up to eleven years are allowed onto the exhibition grounds free of charge. Young people between the ages of twelve and 16, apprentices, students and AHV and IV recipients can enter the grounds for CHF 12. A personal season ticket for the nine days of the fair costs CHF 36. The family ticket price is the same, and includes a maximum of two adults and all children and adolescents up to 16 years of age.

How is the (new) area laid out?
In previous editions, the exhibition grounds were separated into two parts by the busy Chamerstrasse. This will no longer be the case this year, as the site is now limited to the Stierenmarkt (bull market) and the Oesch area, and is therefore contiguous. The exhibition area thereby remains unchanged.

The fair is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. The corresponding parking spaces are located directly in front of the main entrance, and toilets are available both inside and outside the exhibition grounds. There are also two cash machines (ATMs) of the Zuger Cantonal Bank in the entrance area. Dogs are not allowed to enter the exhibition grounds.

Once again this year, people of all ages will come together in the exhibition halls of the Zug trade fair.
It’s impossible to imagine the Zug trade fair without the legendary steam locomotive in the outdoor area.   Photos: Maria Schmid
In the past, you had to cross the Chamerstrasse to the harbour area in order to be able to visit the entire trade fair. This year, the site is limited to the Bull Market and the Oesch area.              Map: PD
Numerous shows and musical performances attract visitors in the event hall again this year.      Photo: PD/Daniel Frischherz

What about arrival and departure?
A particularly lucrative way to visit the fair is by public transport. Public transport arrivals and departures benefit from a 10% discount on admission to the fair. The offer is available online at www.sbb.ch/zugermesse as well as at the ticket counter and via SBB Railservice.

The reduced combined ticket of the ZVB is also available at all ZVB ticket machines, as well as at the SBB machines and ticket counters within the Zug fare network. This allows free return travel as well as entrance to the fair.

For party lovers and night owls, the Zuger Nachtexpress runs from the Bahnhofplatz in Zug at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and covers six routes in all directions within the canton. Night trains to Lucerne and Zurich leave every hour on the weekends.

If you are planning to arrive by car, you can find an overview of the parking spaces in the city of Zug here.

What are the highlights?
Among others, the downhill ski Olympic champion Dominique Gisin and various players from the Swiss ice hockey champion team EV Zug will provide some close-up fan moments. Active and former top athletes will take time to answer questions, sign autographs and have photos taken with their fans.

If you want to see (and meet) Dominique Gisin, she will be a Kia brand ambassador at the Garage Binzegger stand (Hall A2, Stand 79) between 6 and 8 pm on 28 October. The first team of the EVZ hockey club will be guests in the new ‘Herti Beiz’ from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 27 October (more on this below).

Those interested in religion will find the visit of Basel Bishop Felix Gmür at the stand of the Catholic Church Zug (Hall A2, Stand 53) interesting-. He will be on the stand at lunchtime. 22 October to talk with visitors.

Other highlights, some of which are well-known and popular, include Märlin, the storyteller, the dance group of Radio Central, the fashion shows in the event hall, the steam train and the petting zoo.

Which exhibitors will be there?
A map of all stands and their locations can be found here.

Which special shows are offered?
Six special shows offer visitors exciting background information on various topics.

The Swiss Paraplegic Foundation (SPS) is thereby celebrating its premiere. Under the motto "New beginning (Neuanfang)", it offers a comprehensive insight into life with spinal cord injuries. Chiara Schlatter (23) and Peti Roos (38), who are both affected by this, talk about their experiences on site.

The Zug Brass Band Association (Zuger Blasmusikverband) will also be celebrating its 100th anniversary as part of the Zug Trade Fair. Concert excerpts by Zug brass band formations will be performed, and an instrument exhibition offers exciting insights into the world of brass music. An instrument maker will provide information and advice on site, and active musicians will also answer visitors' questions. There will also be numerous concerts on the outdoor stages to round off the special show.

Another special show revolves around the topic of "food waste", which is to be counteracted by providing facts and information. The Zweckverband für Abfallmanagement Zeba (Association of the Zug municipalities for waste management), the Allmig composting and fermentation plant and the canton of Zug are participating in this special show.

The Swiss Museum of Transport will also be visiting the Zuger Messe. The museum will be opening a new world of experience under the theme of "Energy" in 2023, and visitors to the Zuger Messe special show will be given a foretaste of this. It will show the projects that are planned in the Swiss Museum of Transport, and what the new "House of Energy" will have to offer.

The Zug Police will also be present at the fair. Not primarily for supervision, but to present all the facets of the police profession. For example, a patrol vehicle can be inspected from the inside, questions about training are answered and they show how the police investigate a capital crime. Police officers are also on the road musically: at the concert of the Police Music Zug.

Under the theme "Animal welfare yes! (Tierwohl Jawohl)", the Zug Farmers' Association is also represented at the autumn fair. Its special show demonstrates how Zug farmers keep their livestock, and questions can also be asked about the topic.

Who is providing entertainment?
Entertainment is never neglected at the Zuger Messe. For example, visitors can lose themselves in the rhythmic movements of various dance shows performed by the Cham dance school Mavement and the Hünenberg dance school Matchless.

If you like things a little more contemplative, you’ll find yourself in good hands with Linda Elsener. The singer / songwriter took fourth place on the TV music show "The Voice of Germany" in 2021. With her warm, powerful voice and her guitar playing. Linda Elsener feels completely at home in the pop-folk genre.

The guitar is also indispensable for William White. The native of Barbados plays a mixture of soul, funk and reggae with strong melodies and driving grooves.

The "Polly Wants A Party" group are more into rock. The four-member group will fill the event hall with well-known sounds and lyrics from stars such as AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and many more.

His stage name gives you the clue: " Dr Eidgenoss" likes things to be folksy – but not old fashioned. His singing is accompanied by traditional instruments such as Schwyzerörgeli, double bass, accordion or alphorn. He has, however, also recently been performing accompanied by drums and guitar.

The traditional heart of the entertainment part is the yodel mass, which is held on the second Sunday of the fair. The Eucharistic celebration is accompanied by two yodelling clubs and an alphorn trio.

The entertainment programme also includes: Caroline Chevin, Polly Duster, Nico Brina, Grümpel Band and Bünzlikracher. The daily programme of the entire fair can be found here.

What is the culinary offer?
In addition to the already well-known gastronomic offers, such as the Street Food Market and the Restaurant zur Linde, there are currently two new restaurants at the Zuger Messe this year.

The Herti Beiz will serve "hearty Zug" food in a chalet atmosphere. The highlight is the now legendary Pögg Bar, which already made a name for itself in the Herti stadium and can now be experienced in a new form – with musical entertainment including live music and DJs.

If you like cheese, you’ll find yourself in good hands in the Chäs Stall. The restaurant in Alpine hut style offers dishes such as fondue and raclette, combined with selected wines and Zuger Kirsch (cherry liquor).

Note: More information about the programme at the Zuger Messe can be found on www.zugermesse.ch.