To mark its 205th anniversary and at the same time for the last time in its familiar format, the Kispiball took place last Saturday at Zurich's Hotel Baur au Lac statt.

The traditional charity gala supporting the University Children's Hospital Zurich marked not only a glittering finale but also the start of a new chapter. With the upcoming renovation of the Baur au Lac, the event's format is set to evolve in a fresh direction.

Great Social Significance

The evening clearly showed the social importance the event has gained over two decades.

Around 420 guests from business, politics, and Zurich's social life filled the historic ballroom for the last time. The organizers announced proceeds of 502,000 francs in favor of the Eleonoren Foundation of the Zurich Children's Hospital.

Host Nik Hartmann with his wife Carla. (Image: zVg)

Proceeds for the Children

The proceeds will support children who rely on a blood stem cell transplant - highly complex procedures capable of curing congenital immune deficiencies and severe blood diseases. In childhood cases, the recovery rate is around 80 percent.

The anniversary edition once again offered the full range of established program highlights: a silent auction with prizes worth over 170,000 francs, a raffle with 350 prizes totaling more than 100,000 francs, and a musical program ranging from the Swing Kinds and DJ ZOË to Festival Mibely from Paris.

Ernst Tanner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lindt & Sprüngli, with his wife Renate. (Image: zVg)

Strong Ties to the Financial and Business Community

The evening was hosted by Nik Hartmann, who guided through the program with a mix of ease and routine.

Traditionally, the Kispiball has been strongly anchored in Zurich's financial and business scene. Representatives of renowned companies, foundations, and families participated regularly - a network that over the years significantly contributed to making the event a fixed point in Zurich's social calendar.

Andrea Henkell of Ribbentrop, David Hauptmann (CEO & Founder Nobilis Estate) and Daniela Doychinova (Nobilis), Isabelle Egloff and Christian Jott Jenny,  Mayor in St. Moritz. (Image: zVg)

Future Format still Open

The main sponsor in 2025 was the Walter Haefner Foundation, accompanied by Swiss Life, Oora and Karthäuserhof as gold sponsors, and further partners such as Nobilis Estate, the high-end real estate company.

With the farewell from the Baur au lac, a chapter ends, but the organizers emphasize that the partnership with the Children's Hospital will continue. From 2026 onwards, new formats are to be developed that will continue to raise funds for the medical care of seriously ill children. The exact form these new events will take has yet to be determined.