The beginning of the month starts already on a high note with the Swiss National Day– that means fireworks, grilling and fab brunches. The month continues with loads of festivals and one of the highlights is the Tavolata of Valais Wines for an authentic activity which I am also going to attend!
So lets dive right into it, shall we?
1st of August
Switzerland: The Swiss National day! Depending where you live in Switzerland there are different activities you can do. So I prepared for you a dedicated blog post with the different events around the country. Some of them already start from July 31th so make sure to prepare your plans in advance!
Valais: Tavolata of Valais Wines—around 30 wineries are hosting fun Tavolatas, incredible long-table feasts right in the vineyards where you can enjoy delicious food and wine. Dates: August 1st to 31st.
Nidau: Lakelive Festival, with a blend of music, sport and culture in a lakeside setting. Dates: July 31st to August 9th, 2025
Schaffhausen: Stars in Town, a charming music festival with music, diverse street food and cozy bars. Dates: July 30th – August 9th.
Estavayer-le-Lac: The Estivale Open Air, a music festivals, offering a magnificent setting on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel from July 30th – August 2nd.
Flumserberg: The Schlager Open Air Flumserberg is a music festival combining pop stars and Swiss rock. Dates: July 30th – August 2nd.
Zurich: The RundFunk Festival is staying with us till September 7th.
2nd of August
Bern: BernPride 2025, a vibrant queer event in Switzerland’s federal city, featuring a parade through the city center and a big festival on Bundesplatz.
Rigi: Arth-Rigi Railway Festival, celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Arth-Rigi Railway with a colorful and stunning festival at Rigi Staffel, featuring traditional acts, and more. Dates: August 2nd to 9th.
Innertkirchen: Engstlenalp Wrestling and Alpine Festival— one of Switzerland’s most beautiful wrestling and alpine festivals, set in the stunning lush green mountains, complete with lively music and entertainment.
Sörenberg: Bergschwinget Sörenberg. A traditional Swiss wrestling, featuring wrestlers from across Central Switzerland and guest clubs. Dates: August 2nd to 3rd, with the main competition starting at 10:00 AM at Sörenberg Platz and shuttle bus available from Rischli parking.
Zurich: Ed Sheeran Mathematics Tour, bringing his record-breaking tour to Zurich.
Les Diablerets: International Alpine Film Festival “FIFAD”- screening about 30 competing alpine films from Switzerland and beyond, alongside exhibitions, talks and a bookshop. Dates: August 2nd to 9th.
3rd of August
Riederalp: The Great Alpine Festival is an authentic Valais Alpine tradition at this annual Älplerfest, featuring a grand parade with beautifully decorated floats and a stone throwing competition. Date: August 3rd, at 10:00 AM and the parade at 2:00 PM.
Grindelwald: Alphorn Meeting on Männlichen here you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of alphorns and traditional flag-waving on Männlichen. With musical entertainment starting at 9:00 AM and overall performances at 11:00, 13:00, and 14:30.
4th of August
Schaffhausen: Munot Cinema Openair from August 4th to 8th.
Birmenstorf: World Championships Icelandic Horses 2025, with around 22 nations competing for 24 titles. Plus, an “Event Town” offering concerts, food stalls and shopping for all visitors. Dates: August 4th to 10th.
6th of August
Winterthur: Winterthurer Musikfestwochen, a12-day music festival transforming the old town into a vibrant stage. With over 70 acts, daily concerts, cabaret, street music and exciting up-and-coming bands, mostly for free! Dates: August 6th to 17th.
Sion: Guinness Irish Festival with Celtic and Irish music. Featuring international artists from five continents playing everything from Celtic punk to traditional tunes. Dates: August 6th to 9th.
Stein am Rhein: NordArt Theater Festival, a lively blend of cabaret, music, satire and family-friendly performances as Stein am Rhein’s historic old town transforms into five atmospheric stages. Dates: August 6th to 16th.
Locarno: The Locarno Film Festival is taking place from August 6th to 16th.
7th of August
Bern: Buskers Bern- with performers from all over the world turning Bern’s Old Town into a vibrant, creative and quirky spectacle of music, dance, theater, acrobatics and puppet shows. Dates: August 7th to 9th.
Zuoz: 55th Concours Hippique Zuoz, an exceptional show jumping with elite riders and their horses compete in Zuoz’s historic mountain setting, culminating in an equestrian festival on Friday evening. Dates: August 7th to 10th.
Lichtensteig: Jazztage Lichtensteig, the charming town transforms into Toggenburg’s music metropolis. Offering an exciting mix of jazz, pop, hip-hop and world music . Dates: August 7th to 9th.
8th of August
Chur: Churer Fest, Graubünden’s biggest folk festival and southeastern one of Switzerland’s largest summer event. Transforming Chur into one giant party with music and culinary delights from around the world and attractions from August 8th to 10th.
Kreuzlingen: Lake Night Fantastical, a dazzling summer highlight on Lake Constance with Switzerland’s largest fireworks display, plus DJs, live music, a dedicated children’s area, fun rides and delicious street food. Dates: August 8th to 10th.
Thun: Thunfest, with bars, delicious food, themed zones for families, parties and concerts from August 8th to 10th.
Brunnen: Windweek, A unique water and outdoor sports festival featuring concerts, regattas, shows, culinary delights, a market, and free sports activities to try out from August 8th to 10th.
Saignelégier: Marché-Concours, a famous multi-day national horse show, featuring thrilling horse races, captivating country quadrilles and a grand parade with over 400 horses, alongside food and craft stands filling the village’s main street. Dates: August 8th to 10th.
Appenzell: Appenzeller Ländlerfest with folk music from all over Switzerland from August 8th to 10th.
Murten / Morat: City Festival Murten, a charming street party in the old town, where you can enjoy delicious culinary treats and entertainment. Dates: August 8th to 9th
Zofingen: Heitere Open Air, a festival with diverse culinary offerings from August 8th to 10th.
Geneva: Jazz sur la Plage Festival, bringing all forms of jazz music to life in the charming village of Hermance. Dates: August 8th to 9th
Basel: Biker Days Basel – International Motorcycle & Music Festival from August 8th to 10th.
Einsiedeln: Openair Einsiedeln, a summer music event in front of the impressive monastery from August 8th to 9th.
Sierre: Sierre-Zinal, “the race of the five 4,000s,” is an iconic 31 km mountain race draws over 6,000 runners from 63 nationalities. The finish line festival is in Zinal with an awards ceremony, music and concerts. Dates: August 8th to 10th.
9th of August
Zurich: Street Parade with a huge techno party and techno fans dance around Zurich’s lake basin. The parade runs from 13:00 to midnight.
Evolène: A Cantonal Costume Festival showcasing the vibrant traditions of Valais. Featuring a grand parade, lively entertainment, and a captivating show in the CIME hall, all ahead of the international folklore festival.
Lenzburg: 117th Northwestern Switzerland Wrestling Festival.
Aigle: Fête Médiévale, A medieval Festival where you can step back into the 15th century as the Aigle Castle district hosts a grand medieval celebration, featuring craftsmen, soldiers, troubadours and jesters from August 9th to 17th
Solothurn: Solothurn Baroque Days- with guided tours of magnificent buildings, scenic performances, top-class concerts, fencing demonstrations, culinary specialties, games, and dance. Dates: August 9th to 17th.
10th of August
Zermatt: A Traditional Folklore festival in Zermatt.
Evolène: CIME – Célébrations Interculturelles de la Montagne à Evolène. Where you can immerse yourself in mountain cultures from around the world, including Oceania for the first time, with folklore shows, a traditional market, lectures, film screenings and a craft market. Dates: August 10th to 16th.
12th of August
Neuchâtel: The Buskers Festival in the old town from August 12th to 16th.
13th of August
Morges: A Buskers Festival in the charming town by the lake between August 13th to 16th.
Penthaz: Venoge Festival- a large open-air music festival in the Gros de Vaud and Lausanne region from August 13th to 16th.
14th of August
Crans-Montana: Fête de la Gruyère, celebrating the rich traditions and local products of Gruyères. With a delicious Bénichon feast (reservation required for Friday’s meal), a raclette party, an artisan market and traditional festivities with bell ringers and alphorns. Dates: August 14th to 16th.
Zurich: Zurich Theater Spectacle, a vibrant international festival of contemporary performing arts from August 14th to 31st.
Gampel-Jeizinen: Open Air Gampel with non-stop music and partying from August 14th to 17th.
15th of August
Saas-Grund: Alpine festival on the Triftalp, a Valais Alpine tradition with regional delicacies, musical entertainment and the exciting coronation of the strongest and highest milk-yielding cows!
Tavannes: Fête des Saisons 2025- A Harvest Festival. A Traditional festival featuring stalls, dance halls, and its famous flowered “Corso” parade with over 20 floats and musical groups, attracting more than 25,000 visitors. Dates: August 15th to 17th, 2025; admission is free, and the grand parade takes place on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Melchsee-Frutt: Frutt-Schwinget 2025, an authentic Swiss wrestling tradition amidst a breathtaking mountain backdrop.
St. Gallen: St. Galler Fest- with live music, DJs, folklore, brass bands and culinary delights. All kicking off with a traditional barrel tapping on Gallusplatz.
Basel: Em Bebbi sy Jazz, a one-day jazz event in Basel’s city center.
Vevey: Festival of Street Artists- including jugglers, mimes, actors and acrobats from August 15th to 17th.
Cudrefin: Rock The Lakes Festival on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel from August 15th to 17th.
Vevey: 32nd Festival de la Valsainte- a charming summer festival with a mix of contemporary music concerts and a friendly atmosphere. Dates: August 15th to 16th and August 22nd to 23rd.
16th of August
Fribourg: International Folklore Festival (RFI). A vibrant celebration of world traditions with dancers, singers and musicians. Dates: August 16th to 24th.
Brunnen: Brunnen kocht- Central Switzerland’s largest open-air kitchen as over 30 amateur chefs offer delicious international and local delicacies, along with fine wines and drinks.
Basel: Bikefestival Basel, with thrilling shows like trial and jump displays, plus the Skoda Swiss Bike Cup races. Dates: August 16th to 17th.
Sion: Valais Triathlon Festival, a weekend of sport and festivities amidst stunning Alpine scenery at the Domaine des Îles.
Saint-Ursanne: Course de côte St-Ursanne-Les Rangiers- a thrilling motor racing at the renowned Swiss leg of the European Hill Climb Championship. Dates: August 16th to 17th.
Crans-Montana: Water Skiing Festival- an afternoon dedicated to water sports at Etang Long.
Andermatt: Chasing Cancellara Zürich – Andermatt. A cycling challenge through the Swiss mountains.
17th of August
Säntis: Schwägalp Schwinget- a wrestling festival at the foot of the Säntis, amidst the stunning Appenzell and Toggenburg mountains.
Lugano: The Lake Lugano Crossing a popular swimming event in Ticino.
Wiler (Lötschental): Wiler Church Parade – a fascinating display of local tradition with the “red soldiers” marching in their historic mercenary uniforms.
Einsiedeln: The International Organ Grinder Festival around Einsiedeln’s Klosterplatz and Bahnhof.
20th of August
Schaffhausen: Munot Children’s Festival, offers a fusion of tradition and fun, including games, workshops, a parade, and a fireworks display.
Olten: The International Photo Festival Olten. Bringing together national and international photographers for lectures, workshops, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, portfolio reviews and lively parties on the festival square. Dates: August 20th to 24th.
21st of August
Lausanne: Lausanne Afro Fusions Festival (LAFF)- The largest open-air African festival in French-speaking Switzerland. With music, concerts, dance, fashion shows, craft exhibitions, and debates from August 21st to 24th.
Saanen: Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. An international polo tournament where top-ranking players compete for world ranking points amidst the stunning Swiss Alps at the Saanen airfield. Dates: August 21st to 24th. The highlights include qualification games on Thursday, a Polo parade in Gstaad on Friday at 16:00, semi-finals and a Polo Night on Saturday, and the grand finals on Sunday.
St. Moritz: St. Moritz Art Film Festival (SMAFF) from August 21st to 24th.
22nd of August
Locarno: The Risotto Festival on Piazza Grande, featuring the 10th Risotto Championships. Where you can taste delicious risottos prepared by local and guest chefs. Dates: August 22nd to 23rd.
Glattbrugg: Zürich Openair- a large open-air festival with music, food and top international and national acts like Post Malone, Anyma, Tiësto, Rita Ora, Hecht, and Patent Ochsner. Dates: August 22nd to 23rd and August 29th to 30th, 2025 (across two weekends).
Aarburg: Riverside Festival & Route 66 Festival– An Old Car & Rock’n’Roll Festival with open-air live bands, Rollergirls in petticoats, a Western Village, vintage market and live tattooing. Dates: August 22nd to 24th.
Ennetbaden: Landing its famous Badenfahrt-Balloon directly on the school square, bringing a hot “Latino Sky Bar” vibes from August 22nd to 24th. With enjoy delicious street food, bars and concerts.
Verbier: Tour des Stations 2025, a cycling challenge in the heart of the Valais Alps from August 22nd to 23rd.
23rd of August
Einsiedeln: Sihlseelauf Einsiedeln- a Traditional run around Lake Sihl with joggers, walkers and Nordic walkers.
Klosters: The Klosters’ nostalgic gourmet mile, where you can admire old crafts and garments, savor culinary delights and enjoy music and attractions.
Walzenhausen: The Historic Mountain Sprint Walzenhausen – Lachen with historic motorcycles and cars speed up the legendary hill climb against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Constance. Dates: August 23rd to 24th.
Uster: Uster Triathlon, a multisport weekend for the whole family, featuring a triathlon, lake crossing, and SUP race from August 23rd to 24th.
24th of August
Geneva: Tour of the Canton of Geneva by Bike with thousands of cyclists on a non-competitive cycling event.
Thun: Ironman Switzerland Thun 2025- The ultimate triathlon challenge amidst the majestic Alps and pristine waters of Lake Thun.
27th of August
Basel: Emmi CAFFÈ LATTE Beachtour- a fun beach volleyball tournament series with a Street Food Beach Park offering culinary delights, and attractive sponsor stands with giveaways and competitions. Dates: August 27th to 29th and the entry is completely free of charge.
Zurich: Weltklasse Zürich – Diamond League—witness Olympic gold medalists and world record holders compete at the highest level of track and field.
Willisau: Jazz Festival Willisau with international artists and a spotlight on Swiss talent from across the country. Dates: August 27th to 31st.
28th of August
Lausanne: The Lausanne Street Food Festival with yums from around the world. Dates: August 28th to 31st.
Geneva: La Bâtie-Festival of Geneva, a festival with live performances, choreography, concerts and DJ sets of national and international artists from August 28th to September 14th.
Savagnières-Pontins: Festi’Valderuz brings together rappers, DJs, graffiti artists, beatboxers and dancers for concerts, entertainment, workshops and demonstrations. Dates: August 28th to 30th
Crans-Montana: Omega European Masters, a golf tournament from August 28th to 31st.
29th of August
Mollis: Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival Glarnerland with 274 wrestlers and a grand folk festival with music, regional specialties, and a vibrant atmosphere. Dates: August 29th to 31st.
Zurich: Dörflifäscht- The Zurich’s Niederdorf quarter transforms into a party mile, with market stalls, special attractions from local bars and stores, plus open-air stages featuring DJs August 29th to 31st.
Solothurn: The Street food Festival with food from around the world from August 29th to 31st.
Arbon: SummerDays Festival right by the lake in Arbon, with a lineup including Sido, Patent Ochsner, Gianna Nanniniand more from August 29th to 30th.
Estavayer-le-Lac: Bénichon Festival of Estavayer-le-Lac, A Fribourg’s tradition with food and conviviality. Featuring a craft and local product market, free horse-drawn carriage rides, live concerts, and the “Best Bénichon Mustard Competition”. Dates: August 29th to 31st.
Aarau: Musig i de Altstadt, featuring a mix of concerts across various stages in Aarau’s charming old town from August 29th to 30th.
Locarno: Locarno City of Guitars, an event for guitar lovers from August 29th to 30th.
30th of August
Augst BL: Roman Festival where you can step back in time with gladiator combats, chariot races, dancers, musicians, craftsmen, and even an emperor! Dates: August 30th and 31st.
Lausanne: Triathlon of Lausanne on the lakeshore from August 30th to 31st.
Oberhallau: Oberhallau hill climb, with around 250 racing drivers from Switzerland and Europe transform the tranquil wine-growing village into a paddock, racing cars of all shapes and sizes up a three-kilometer course through the vines. Dates: August 30th to 31st.
Is there an event I should have included that is not on the list? Let me know- I’d love to hear from you!
