The Maienzug (May Procession) – the festival of all festivals in Aarau

The Maienzug is the most important festive day in Aarau and takes place every year on the first Friday in July, with the celebrations beginning on the evening before. Highlights include the procession of school children through the old town centre and the large banquet at the Maienzug square. Aarau’s entire old town centre is transformed into a huge festival venue where thousands of people celebrate the start of the summer holidays in high spirits.

The Maienzug is actually a festival for children and young people, but the entire population of Aarau and its surroundings look forward to it all year round. This tradition has been celebrated for over 400 years and still hasn’t lost any of its magical appeal. The procession takes place in the morning, and at midday young and old alike meet at the large banquet with its over 3,000 people. This is always a wonderful day for the people of Aarau, as well as for many visitors from near and far.

As the people of Aarau know how to party, they already start getting in the mood for the Maienzug on the Thursday evening before, which is known as “Maienzug Vorabend” (May Procession Eve). Numerous bars, restaurants and concert stages are set up in the side streets and on the squares throughout the whole city and thousands of people wander peacefully through the streets and have fun until the early hours of the morning.