{"id":465643,"date":"2026-03-03T15:23:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livelycity.com\/switzerland\/blog\/2026\/03\/03\/the-zuri-marlitram-is-back-and-the-boogg-is-driving\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:23:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:23:57","slug":"the-zuri-marlitram-is-back-and-the-boogg-is-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livelycity.com\/switzerland\/blog\/2026\/03\/03\/the-zuri-marlitram-is-back-and-the-boogg-is-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"The Z\u00fcri M\u00e4rlitram Is Back (And the B\u00f6\u00f6gg Is Driving!)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a9 David Hubacher \/ Z\u00fcrich Tourismus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Growing up in Switzerland, the M\u00e4rlitram was the stuff of childhood legend. Every December, my family and I would scan the streets of Zurich, hoping to catch a glimpse of that magical, decorated tram gliding through the city.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I never actually rode it, though. And now, as a grownup, I’ve come to accept that this one is simply not for me. The M\u00e4rlitram is a children’s experience through and through. But honestly? Watching the joy on little faces as that century-old tram rolls by? That might just be enough.<\/p>\n

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What Is the Z\u00fcri M\u00e4rlitram?<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Z\u00fcri M\u00e4rlitram<\/strong>\u00a0is no ordinary tram. Built in\u00a01913, it has been rolling through Zurich’s streets as a storytelling tram since\u00a01958. This makes it the\u00a0oldest tram still operating in Zurich<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For decades, it was exclusively a Christmas tradition, enchanting children with fairy tales and festive magic during the Advent season.<\/p>\n

But 2026 changes everything. For the\u00a0first time in its history<\/strong>, the M\u00e4rlitram is venturing out in\u00a0spring<\/strong>. Instead of Christmas lamps, the streetcar was dressed in fresh greens.<\/p>\n

Wait, and who’s that behind the wheel? None other than the\u00a0B\u00f6\u00f6gg<\/strong>! The snowman is Zurich’s unofficial icon, and the star of the beloved spring festival, Sechsel\u00e4uten!<\/p>\n

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A New Chapter: The Spring M\u00e4rlitram<\/h2>\n

The spring edition of the M\u00e4rlitram runs from\u00a0March 20 to April 26, 2026<\/strong>, winding its classic 20-minute loop through Zurich’s inner city.<\/p>\n

The route goes from Bellevue\u00a0via\u00a0Limmatquai\u00a0and\u00a0Central, along the\u00a0Bahnhofstrasse shopping mile, and back to\u00a0Bellevue.<\/p>\n

Inside the tram, children are treated to\u00a0three specially written stories<\/strong> told by storytellers dressed in traditional Zurich costumes.<\/p>\n

The tales are age-appropriate and weave together Zurich’s customs, the legend of the B\u00f6\u00f6gg, and the guest canton of the year, Graub\u00fcnden. So charming!<\/p>\n

Think of it this way: just as\u00a0Samichlaus<\/strong>\u00a0(St. Nicholas) drives the tram during Advent, the\u00a0B\u00f6\u00f6gg<\/strong>\u00a0takes the wheel for spring. It’s a brilliant swap that feels both playful and deeply rooted in Zurich tradition. Kudos to Zurich Tourism and their partners for pulling this off.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 David Hubacher \/ Z\u00fcrich Tourismus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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All About the B\u00f6\u00f6gg – Zurich’s Spring Icon<\/h2>\n

If you’re not yet familiar with the B\u00f6\u00f6gg, you’re in for a treat! This cotton-wool snowman is the centerpiece of\u00a0Sechsel\u00e4uten<\/strong>, Zurich’s grand spring festival.<\/p>\n

Every year, the guilds of Zurich parade through the city before setting the B\u00f6\u00f6gg ablaze atop a massive bonfire. The time it takes for his head to explode is said to predict the summer weather.<\/p>\n

We’ve covered this fascinating tradition in depth, so please check out these posts to get the full picture:<\/p>\n