Exhibitions in Zurich
December 2026
December at a glance: 2 exhibitions opening, 0 closing, and 17 more on view across the city.
Opening in December
- (Un)Seen. Disabled People in Art2 Dec
Graphische Sammlung ETH ZürichFree
Disability as a cultural and aesthetic concept, traced through the collection from Goya, Callot and Hogarth to contemporary artists.
The Sun Hits Us First: A Polar Dialogue Between Kawésqar and Iivid4 DecVölkerkundemuseum der Universität ZürichFree
Kawésqar from southern Chile and Iivid from East Greenland share knowledge of life in cold coastal seas, colonial trauma and self-determination.
Also on through December
- Ralph Lemon and Kevin Beasley: Residuumto 3 Jan 2027
Kunsthaus Zürich
A multichannel sound and film installation across four floors of the Müller building, on what remains after a performance.
Christoph Hefti: The Missing Cat and Other Textile Storiesto 3 Jan 2027Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Ausstellungsstrasse
First solo show of Swiss textile designer Christoph Hefti: knotted carpets, patchwork, prints, ceramics, costumes and performance.
In der Sonne sitzento 3 Jan 2027Helmhaus ZürichFree
729 artworks, 724 on loan from six public collections and not shown for 50 years or more, set against five invisible works told by narrators.
The Body Within Abstractionto 10 Jan 2027Museum Haus Konstruktiv
40th anniversary show on the body in abstract art, with Heidi Bucher, Kimsooja, Bruce Nauman, Chiharu Shiota, Franz West and others.
- Ayo Akingbade: Crossingto 10 Jan 2027
Kunsthalle Zürich
First institutional solo show outside the UK by London filmmaker Ayo Akingbade, with two premieres including the new 35mm film Two Truths (2026).
- Caspar Heinemann: Tempting Fateto 10 Jan 2027
Kunsthalle Zürich
Glasgow-based Caspar Heinemann's first institutional solo show outside the UK, centred on the installation ABRACADABRA (2026) with back-to-back stages and restored cuckoo clocks.
- DadaZwischenSprachento 10 Jan 2027
Cabaret Voltaire
How Dada's 1916 language experiments took material form in prints, scores and sketches, and what they left out and set off later.
Wars and usto 17 Jan 2027Landesmuseum Zürich (Swiss National Museum)
How wars shaped Switzerland from the late Middle Ages to today: national myths, civil wars, mercenary service, the arms industry and neutrality.
- Sammlung &: Sylvie Fleury and Shamiran Istifan, She-Devils on Wheels / Angels on Heelsto 17 Jan 2027
Migros Museum für GegenwartskunstFree
Collection show pairing works by Sylvie Fleury, some shown for the first time in 20 years, with new works by Shamiran Istifan.
Nicole L'Huillier: Canción de Amorto 17 Jan 2027Migros Museum für GegenwartskunstFree
Solo show of sound installations, swings and whispering bowls that visitors activate by playing, dancing and singing.
Red: Masterpieces of Chinese Lacquerwareto 31 Jan 2027Museum Rietberg
Carved and inlaid Chinese lacquer from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with dragons, flowers and birds, shown with the LWL Museum in Münster.
Avant-Garde: Graphic Design on the Riseto 21 Feb 2027Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Ausstellungsstrasse
Interwar graphic design, typography and photography, with El Lissitzky, Cassandre, Jan Tschichold and Lucia Moholy.
Amazonian Legacies: Art and Archaeologyto 14 Mar 2027Museum Rietberg
Ceramics, funerary urns and a virtual visit to the rock art of Chiribiquete trace 13,000 years of Amazonian history.
Graphics. Designing the everydayto 4 Apr 2027Landesmuseum Zürich (Swiss National Museum)
Posters, logos and stamps from the museum's graphic art collection show how design shapes desire and identity, with hands-on design stations.
- Sabine Marcelis: Light and Colorto 4 Apr 2027
Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Toni-Areal
Sabine Marcelis's first museum show combines recent works with site-specific light installations, including the Varmblixt tunnel and Mathmos Lava Columns.
- Experiences of Switzerland: Sex workto 25 Apr 2027
Landesmuseum Zürich (Swiss National Museum)
Video installation with eleven interviews about sex work in Switzerland. Closed 2 Nov 2026 to 11 Jan 2027 for Christmas & Cribs.
Nikka: The Indian Painterto 30 May 2027Museum Rietberg
Pahari court portraits and series by Nikka of Guler (1745-1833), drawn from the museum's own collection, in the Park-Villa Rieter.
Opening in February 2027
Image credits
11
- The Sun Hits Us First: A Polar Dialogue Between Kawésqar and IividCourtesy of Völkerkundemuseum der Universität Zürich
- Christoph Hefti: The Missing Cat and Other Textile StoriesCourtesy of Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Ausstellungsstrasse
- In der Sonne sitzenFoto: Studio Massimiliano Rossetto
- The Body Within AbstractionCourtesy of Museum Haus Konstruktiv
- Wars and usChristian Schwager, infantry bunker on the Raten Pass / © 2026, ProLitteris, Zurich
- Nicole L'Huillier: Canción de Amor© Nicole L'Huillier. Foto: Studio Stucky
- Red: Masterpieces of Chinese LacquerwareCourtesy of Museum Rietberg
- Avant-Garde: Graphic Design on the RiseCourtesy of Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Ausstellungsstrasse
- Amazonian Legacies: Art and ArchaeologyCourtesy of Museum Rietberg
- Graphics. Designing the everydayCourtesy of Landesmuseum Zürich (Swiss National Museum)
- Nikka: The Indian PainterCourtesy of Museum Rietberg
Stay in the loop on Zurich
A short note now and then when something new opens worth your time.