Zug Fäscht 2022 on 3 September

Zug will be celebrating the ‘Zug Fäscht’ to mark the double anniversary of "125 years of the Zug railway junction" and "175 years of Swiss railways” on Saturday, 3 September. Up to 50,000 visitors are expected.

What is being celebrated at the Zug Fäscht?
The major railway junction in Zug and the economically and politically important Thalwil–Baar–Zug–Walchwil–Arth-Goldau railway line were built 125 years ago. This railway connection was one of the reasons for the economic upswing of Zug.

The anniversary will be celebrated on 3 September. Together with the SBB, the Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (public transport company) and the Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz), the eleven municipalities of Zug are thereby organising a huge party for the entire population.

The anniversary is paired with a second memorable date: the first railway line in Switzerland was opened 175 years ago.

Where is the Zug Fäscht going to be celebrated?
Three ‘miles’ are planned: the Railway mile (Bahnmeile) at the Güterbahnhof (freight station) directly by the Zug Ökihof; the Future mile (Zukunftsmeile) at the Zug Stadthaus (town hall) and the Festival mile (Festmeile) on the Seepromenade (lakeside promenade), from the Regierungsgebäude (government building) to the Siehbach-Badi.

In addition, a pavilion will be set up by the Reformed Church of Zug.

A parade of historic vehicles, including the Gotthard stagecoach, the "Orion" and old-timer taxis will run between the Railway mile and the Future mile.

The flyer for the festival    
The historical picture shows the opening of the station in Zug     
Map of the Zug Fascht
The former railway station will be reconstructed alongside the Reformed Church                            Images: PD

When is the Zug Fäscht taking place?
The start is at 12 o'clock on Saturday, 3 September. The festival will last until 2 o'clock in the morning. Admission is free.

The Railway mile: the railway in the spotlight
The railway mile at the Güterbahnhof presents a large contingent of various railway vehicles, including the "Crocodile", the "Tigerli" steam locomotive or the "Churchill" Roten Doppelpfeil (Red Double Arrow). The SBB will be complementing its world of experience with the "firefighting and rescue train" that is currently in use, while the Swiss Museum of Transport is bringing a train composition to the Railway mile, where children can become involved themselves, and, among other things, dig gravel.

On the cultural side, the municipality of Risch will provide a varied program. Confirmed are, among others, "Caroline Graf und die Superhaasen" or an appearance by Julian von Flüe. An exhibition with a model of the old Rotkreuz railway station building is also planned.

The Future mile: the mobility of tomorrow
The mobility of the future becomes reality and mobility research becomes visible at the Zug Stadthaus. In addition to its electric bus, Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe will also show today's digitisation of bus transport.

Amag and the Swiss Museum of Transport are bringing to Zug concept cars, models of Piccard's "Solar Impulse", a Formula E racing car and the Microlino that is now going into series production. The Zentralbahn (Central Railway) is presenting an innovative drive technology that can handle even the steepest slopes of 125% gradient without using a gearwheel.

Other exhibits are located right next to the festival ground of the City of Zug and Neuheim. Visitors will also find street food offers and a large stage there. Performances of the Grissini Circus or Silberbüx have also been confirmed, as well as the appearance of the well-known Swiss band ‘Baba Shrimps’.

The Festival mile: the festival sites of the municipalities
The remaining nine municipalities will present their own festival sites by the lake. While Menzingen will be presenting the cultural aspects of traditional Ländler, yodelling and traditional costume (Tracht) on the Rigiplatz, Unterägeri is creating a balance between local work and "örben Ländler, wo tätscht" in the circus tent on the Schützenmattwiese: The Stubete Gäng will perform in the tent, as well as 7tcover on the Baar festival area in the Siehbach-Badi, or Pink Willy on the stage of the Hünenberg municipality.

Cham's festival area is on the Rössliwiese, where the Papierbähnli (miniature train) will be the centre of attention. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Zug band ‘Next Train Home’, among others. You can test your dexterity In the Steinhausen festival area, where the Zug musicians Zéline Lam, Quine and Wake will provide entertainment.

The Oberägeri programme will run under the motto "Unterwägs im Ägerital" (moving about in the Aegeri valley). For this purpose, a wooden walkway will be built, while music will be provided by local pearls such as the ‘Dorfspatzen Oberägeri’ or the ‘Gupfbuebä’. And the Walchwil festival area will present "Nice on Lake Zug – a health resort of yesteryear". There will also also traditional music, for example from the alphorn group ‘Echo vo dä Bärenegg’.

The detailed program can also be found under www.zugfäscht.ch.

How best to travel to the Zug Fäscht?
By public transport. There are no additional parking spaces, but additional transport will be organised. Specific information will follow later.

People with disabilities at the Zug Fäscht
In principle, each ‘mile’ can be visited without any problems, even for people with an impairment. Some individual, historical exhibits may not be wheelchair accessible.

Who is responsible for the organisation of the Zug Fäscht?
The KulturFäscht association has set up an organisation committee as the upper management body, which is strategically supported by a patronage committee. The patronage committee includes the City of Zug, the SBB, the Swiss Museum of Transport, the Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe and the initiators.

From the spring of 2021, Philipp Schweiger and Marco Schneider have been responsible for the implementation of the Zug Fäscht within the organisation committee.

Zug will turn into a festival town on the weekend – what else is going on
At the same time as the Zug Fäscht, the Swiss Championships in Club Gymnastics will be held in the City of Zug on 3 and 4 September (https://www.stv-fsg.ch/de/sm-vereinsturnen.html) on the Herti sports facilities (Bossard Arena, ArenaPlatz, sports hall and football pitch).

The nearby Stierenmarktareal (bull market area) is also planned as a festival area, and around 3,000 gymnasts from 150 gymnastics clubs are expected.

The traditional Ägerimärcht (Aegeri market) will also  take place in Unterägeri from 3 to 5 September.