What you always wanted to know about the costume party but never dared to ask

Imagine entering the impressive entrance foyer of the Opera House as, let's say, a cockatoo. Now the photocall is calling, between 8.00 and 9.30 p.m. on the red stairs to the left and right. Two professional photographers (Admill Kuyler and Arthur Gamsa) will put you in the spotlight and take a unique souvenir photo, which you can view and download online with password protection after the event.

Slightly less orderly than at the official photo call is the action in the two side foyers. Take spectacular selfies or relax in the green or black fantasy world. And register here until 9.30 p.m. for the Costume Contest!

Very instagrammable we promised, very instagrammable it will be. And of course, that includes a hashtag. Post as much as you can, tag @operzuerich and use #overdress!

Perhaps you have already heard, at 11.30 pm there will be a Costume Contest. A real one, with jury and catwalk and prizes. But first things first: If you want to participate, sign up directly at the party. A couple of nice people from marketing will meet you at the selfie spots in the side foyers until 9.30 p.m., take a picture of you and your fabulous costume, and relieve you of your name and cell phone number (will not be saved). Photos of all registered guests will be shared with our distinguished panel of judges who will select the top ten costumes. At 22.30 it's time to look at your cell phone: the ten best entries will be contacted by SMS. At 23.00, these ten people will be invited to the catwalk, where they will perform for the audience, jury and moderation at 23.30 (or simply make it alive to the other end of the main stage). Short interviews will follow, the jury will discuss and finally present their three winners. The award ceremony will also take place on the main stage, there is talk of confetti.

The Jury

• Verena Giesbert - Costume Director Zurich Opera House
• Yannik Aellen - Director Mode Suisse
• Ginny Litscher - Textile Designer
• Odyssia Houstis - Editor in Chief Schön! Magazine
• Roland Rahal - Fashion Designer and Founder Mourjjan

The evaluation criteria

• Coherent overall picture - Sense of Style
• Element of surprise
• Authenticity
• Over-the-topness
• Creativity 

The presenters

• Gossipa - drag queen
• Luca Papini - DJ, Entertainer, Host

The prizes

• With the 1st main prize worth a total of CHF 2500, you can enjoy an opera weekend in Zurich with an overnight stay and dinner (incl. wine accompaniment) in the 5-star Hotel Baur au lac, rounded off with a performance of your choice in the opera house.
• The 2nd main prize: Put together your own outfit worth CHF 1000 at Globus, the traditional Zurich department store, and attend a performance of your choice at the opera house.
• Our partner Credit Suisse is contributing the 3rd main prize, namely 1x4 tickets for an international match of the Swiss national team, including a VIP box.

If you have decided on a costume that also ensures a trip to the toilet, we recommend our numerous bars and gastro offers:

On the main stage, Baur au Lac will quench your thirst, gin aficionados will find what they're looking for at our Turicum Distillery gin bar, and in the Spiegelsaal and on the 2nd tier, there will not only be something to drink, but even something to eat. The Rüsterei has teamed up with Future Cuisine to serve first-class street food for small and large appetites. Our vegan guests can also look forward to creations by vegan pioneer Lauren Wildbolz.

And here again in short:

Food

• Rüsterei Bar in the Spiegelsaal
• Grill & Future Cuisine by Lauren Wildbolz on the 2nd tier

Drinks

• Baur au Lac on the main stage
• Turicum Gin-Bar in the parquet corridor
• Rüsterei Bar in the Spiegelsaal
• Champagne bar on the 2nd tier

AMAG is kind enough to drive you home in e-cars between midnight and 3:00 a.m. free of charge (within a radius of 20 km)! Now if that's not good service. Sign up in the coatroom on the right before midnight and forget about train schedules, blood alcohol levels or shoes suitable for travel. Attention: The trips are limited, fastest wins!