The 8 Best Festivals In Switzerland

Explore some of the best festivals that Switzerland has to offer, from high-tempo rock & roll, jazz, and blues to the more relaxed sight of hot-air balloons drifting over the Alps. In this diverse music community, there is a bit of something for everyone.

Paléo Festival

Paléo, Switzerland’s largest open-air festival, started out in 1976 as a small two-stage folk festival. Now it hosts 230,000 visitors who are treated to over 250 concerts and shows spread out over six days. Over the years, Paléo has attracted plenty of big names including Tracy Chapman, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown and Oasis to name but a few. Be aware that tickets for the event sell out extremely fast.

When, where? Third week of July, Nyon

Basler Fasnacht

When, where? Monday after Ash Wednesday, Basel

Montreux Jazz Festival

For two weeks at the beginning of July, Montreux hosts Europe’s biggest jazz festival. Bringing together the famous faces of the jazz and blues world, as well as up and coming artists, it’s truly an event not to be missed. As well as the ticketed events, there are plenty of free shows on throughout the festival. The setting couldn’t be better either. Make sure to add the Montreux Jazz Festival to your must-see list.

When, where? Early July, Montreux

International Balloon Festival

In January each year, hot air balloon pilots from around the world converge on Château-d’Oex for a nine day celebration featuring balloons of almost every colour. Not to be missed is the “night-glow” when all the balloons are lit up by the flames of their burners.

When, where? January, Château-d’Oex

Geneva International Motor Show

If you prefer your festivals with a little more horsepower, the Geneva International Motor Show is for you. Geneva’s motor show has been called the ‘world’s best catwalk for cars’ by Car Magazine and that tells you all you need to know; there’s plenty of glitz as some of the world’s biggest car makers unveil their new motors for the first time at the show.

When, where? Mid-March, Palexpo Arena, Geneva

Fête de L’Escalade

Every year, Geneva celebrates the defeat of the French House of Savoy in 1602 with the Fête de L’Escalade. A five-mile run through the city’s old town kicks off the celebrations and through the week you can crack open traditional chocolate ‘marmite’ cauldrons and watch as armour-donned Genevois re-enact the famous victory.

When, where? December, Geneva

Festichoc

Every year, nearly 40 chocolatiers — including big names such as Favarger — flock to Versoix, a short trip outside of Geneva, for Festichoc. Free samplings are of course on offer, including several chocolate fountains, and it’s possible to buy plenty of high quality chocolate from the local area. Chocolate sculptures are also on show and will really set your tastebuds on edge.

When, where? Late March, early April, Versoix

Gauklerfest – International Street Performer’s Festival

A bit more off-beat than the rest is Gauklerfest, a gathering of street performers from around the world in the streets of Interlaken. Theatrical is the word of choice for this three day festival and you’ll see jugglers, comedians, contortionists and all-round performers all showing off their skills. You’ll laugh, you’ll be amazed and you’ll be sure to have a great time at this unique open-air festival.

When, where? July, Interlaken

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.