July is finally here! Summer in Switzerland is one of the most amazing seasons with plenty of fun outdoor activities. So between picnic and dipping at the lake I’ve prepared for you a list with some fun events you can attend:
1st of July
Montreux- Jazz festival: The biggest and most prestige event in Montreux with around 400 FREE activities and performances- don’t miss it!
Zug- Zuger Seefest: 4-minute water shows à la Las Vegas take place daily between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. At 9:40 p.m. to 9:58 p.m. the water feature becomes a multimedia show. Powered with sustainable energy with zero emissions. In addition, you can also expect a lot of live music, good food, drinks and a unique atmosphere at this year’s lake festival!
Basel- Zoo Night: Basel Zoo will be open till midnight! with an amazing program, 3 different bars and a unique ambience.
Bellinzona: Montebello festival- An international music show in The Montebello Castle of Bellinzona that from the year 2000 is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Taking place From 27.06.2023 to 14.07.2023.
Schwyz- Techno Daydance Party: The biggest techno day dance in the canton of Schwyz. Where: in the heart of Gersau and directly on the beautiful Lake Lucerne.
Lucerne- Open air concert: the open-air summer festival will take place in the garden of the RomeroHaus Luzern. With culinary delights at street food stands, DJ and music.
Sion- Pollen Festival: the POLLEN Festival will take place from June 30 to July 2 and from July 6 to 9, 2023 in the old town of Sion bringing the works of art to the street.
Montreux- Lake Festival: Come and meet the lifeguards of the Territet section “La Dame du Lac”.On Saturday, the challenge of Ile-de-Peilz will see several rescues compete in a rowing boat race.
Estavayer-le-Lac: Regional Swiss Wrestling Festival.
Zermatt- Goats’ Tour: A herd of about 40 blackneck goats passes through the Bahnhofstrasse each morning and evening for the entire month.
Zermatt- Folklore Music Weeks: During this time, numerous folkloric groups perform in the village of Zermatt as well as on the excursion mountains of Zermatt – Matterhorn.
Brunnen: Alphorn concert with flag-twirling every Wednesday till the end of August.
Zurich- Latin Music Festival: During 3 days from the 30th of June, a colorful festival in Zurich for lovers of Latin American music, cuisine and culture.
Nyon- Rive Jazzy: For 5 weeks from the 29th of June the lake front of Nyon will be filled with music performances. Sharing in music of the different trends of traditional jazz, gypsy jazz, blues, swing, Latin jazz, up to pop, rock and even country.
4th of July
Lausanne: Festival de la Cité. The vibrant city of Lausanne invites you to enjoy a program of theatre performances with music, dance, circus and installations.
St. Gallen- Culture Festival: Three weeks of culture festival with concerts with a focus on soul, jazz, folk and world music.
Brienz: International Woodcarving Symposium. Woodcarving has a long tradition in Brienz. At the International Woodcarving Symposium, held over the course of 5 days on Brienz quayside, you can see impressive wooden artworks being sculpted by artists from across the world. The event is completed with music, artistic performances and delicious catering.
Saas- Fee: Cheese dairy up on the Alpe Hannig. Watch the Alpine interior in cheese production and learn about the life in the mountains with farmers breakfast.
5th of July
Grindelwald: Street Festival- A festival offering live music, traditional Swiss folk music and other entertainment 7 times in mid-summer.
Saxon: Apricot Festival- For three days Saxon celebrates the “Princess of Valais” with a fantastic programme: big apricot market, fun activities for kids and adults, concerts and gourmet walks in the orchards.
Murten: The Morat Open Air Cinema will take place from July 5 to August 8, 2023.
6th of July
Locarno: Luci e Ombre- A free event with entertainment, music, food and a fantastic fireworks display.
Murten: Stars of Sounds- with music, good views and lake view. When: 6th till the 9th of July.
7th of July
Zurich: Züri Fäscht- The largest Folk Festival in Switzerland that takes place once every 3 years is back! You can expect a giant fair, stands with specialties from all over the world, and fireworks and drone show at the Mythenquai lido. When: from the 7th till the 9th of July. Fireworks: Friday 22:30 till 23:00, Saturday 22.30 till 22.50. Drone show: Friday and Saturday 00:00- 00:10.
Lugano: Long Lake- Festival Jazz a FREE open air music festival with genres from rock to funk to world music.
Saint-Ursanne: Les Médiévales de St. Ursanne will take you on a journey to the medieval time with medieval food stands, swards fights music, magic tricks and story tellers.
Weggis: Rose Festival- Top class bands rock for three days and folk music plays in the Kafistube. The highlight: a spectacular Saturday evening fireworks display over Lake Lucerne.
Cheyres: Festi’Cheyres- Over the course of a weekend, the lakeside is transformed into a concert hall and open-air venue. Rock, pop, folk and even shows for children.
8th of July
Saas-Fee: SaasFeestival- From 8 July to 11 August 2023, the Saas Valley turns into a big open-air stage. Entrance fee: FREE.
9th of July
Rigi: Rigi Schwing and alpine Festival- An alpine festival with wrestling and traditional music. In case of bad weather the festival will happen the following week.
10th of July
Fribourg: Les Georges Festival is a six evening concerts festival in the city center of Fribourg with different music styles, from pop to electronic music.
11th of July
Biel: Pod’Ring- music festival in the old town of Biel / Bienne. When: 11.07-15.07.
12th of July
Bern: GurtenFestival- A music festival on Bern’s home mountain will take place between the 12th to the 16th of July.
13th of July
Wengen- Folklore Evening: Enjoy a traditional evening with folklore music, folklore dancing, yodelling, bell ringers and more. Food and drinks available.
Locarno: Moon and stars music festival. Nine days of pop and rock music in Piazza Grande in Locarno, one of the most spectacular squares in Europe.
Weggis: Folklore evening- Enjoy a wonderful evening of Swiss folklore. Local dancers and members of the local yodel club will be performing at the pavilion on the lakeside.
Geneva: CinéTransat- Free open air film screenings with refreshments and deckchair rental from 19:00, films start at dusk between 21:15 and 22:00. When: from the 13th of July till the 20th of August.
14th of July
Brienz- Folklore evening: Enjoy a folklore evening on the Lake Brienz promenade with local music societies, yodel and dance groups, alphorn blowers and flag-wavers.
Basel Biker Days: International Motorcycle & Music Festival – Live Bands, Shows, Street food, Bars, Bikes, Test Rides, Market, Smoker Lounge and Tattoos.
15th of July
Geneva: Stayin’Alive Lake parade- A wild musical parade with an after party including food stalls, activities for kids, concerts and performances.
16th of July
Riederalp: Walliser Alphornfestival- The Valais Alphorn Festival is a friendship meeting of all alphorn players from the whole canton. The almost 100 horn players play together in large and small formations on Riederalp, Hohfluh and Moosfluh.
17th of July
Geneva: Free of charge Sunrise musical shows on the Pâquis pier. From the 17th of July till the 20th of August.
18th of July
Nyon Paleo Festival: One of the most important open-air festivals in Europe, the Paléo covers an 84-hectare site with 7 stages, more than 200 stands and over fifty bars.
21st of July
Nendaz: The International Alphorn Festival brings together around 150 alphorn players for its unique competition and traditional ambience.
22nd of July
Basel: Tattoo Children Day- Children can get up close and personal with the performers, try out instruments, ask questions and feel like a great Tattoo musician for once.
23rd of July
Wengen- Trachtenfest Männlichen: Come to admire the typical costumes from different cantons, surrounded by appropriate folk music.
Gstaad: Alpine festival on the alp Wispile with Folklore music and cows beauty contest.
Fälensee: Berggasthaus Bollenwees- Traditional alpine festival at the Bollenwees mountain inn with festive service and musical entertainment by various Appenzell formations.
26th of July
Château-d’Oex: A unique family event, the Festival au Pays des Enfants offers street entertainment, indoor shows, fun workshops and games for all ages.
28th of July
Küssnacht am Rigi: A festival with various bands, DJs and performances,food and drinks, fireworks, a luna park and more.
29th of July
Basel: Electronic Music Tension Festival- the biggest and most important event in the field of electronic music. 2 days at the Gartenbad St. Jakob with an exciting line-up and great bars & food. Plus, refreshing dives into the cool water of the pools.
31st of July
Basel: Basel celebrates the Swiss National Day with a big fireworks display on the Rhine. From 17:00-02:00 you will find around 100 stalls on the two banks of the Rhine will ensure an atmospheric city festival.
Neuhausen am Rheinfall: Great Rhine Falls Fireworks- On Monday, July 31, 2023 at about 9:45 p.m. The Rhine Falls offer a magnificent spectacle of fireworks.
Zermatt: traditional street party- with Red and white flags, Swiss music and street food.
Brunnen: a two-day festival with musical entertainment, delicious food and a gigantic fireworks display over Lake Lucerne.
Lungern: On the eve of August 1st, you can find a lake night festival in the midst of a beautiful landscape on Lake Lungern with large fireworks, various food stands, fine specialties, lively concerts and various attractions.
