Welcome to August, the month that kicks off with the Swiss National day and continues with plenty of festivals, the Zurich Street parade, some lake crossing events and authentic Traditional ones as well. As always, I gathered for you here a list to spice up your month and I can’t wait to hear from you if you think something else should make it to the list or even to the list of the following months.
Let’s dig in!
1st of August
The Swiss National Day: I prepared for you a dedicated post for that because there are plenty of things to do
Altstätten: The Anno 1291 Medieval Spectacle celebrates Switzerland’s founding with knights, jugglers, minstrels, live shows, children’s activities, a craft market and medieval food at Allmend Rheintal. Dates: July 31 to August 2.
Nidau: Lakelive is a lakeside festival with live music, sports, culture, food and summer activities, the 2026 headliners including Lenny Kravitz, Macklemore, Amy Macdonald, and Nicky Jam. Dates: July 30 to August 8.
Locarno: Rotonda by la Mobiliare, a festival village of the Locarno Film Festival with live music, entertainment, bars, food trucks and local and international vendors. Dates: July 30 to August 15.
Schaffhausen: Stars in Town transforms Schaffhausen’s historic old town into a major open-air featuring Swiss and international pop and rock artists. Dates: July 29 to August 8.
Estavayer-le-Lac: Estivale Open Air is a lakeside music festival featuring Swiss and international artists. Dates: July 29 to August 1.
Grindelwald: Every Wednesday evening, Grindelwald’s main village street becomes a traffic-free festival zone with live music, shows, regional food and family-friendly entertainment. Dates: July 1 to August 12, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
St. Moritz: The Concours Hippique between July 30 to August 2.
5th of August
Winterthur: Winterthurer Musikfestwochen in the old town, a lively open-air festival featuring both Swiss and international artists. Dates: August 5 to 16, nine festival days are free, while the final three evenings require tickets
Locarno: The Locarno Film Festival, featuring premieres, competitions, talks and its famous evening screenings under the stars in Piazza Grande. Dates: August 5 to 15.
Stein am Rhein: The nordArt Theater Festival in the historic old town with cabaret, music, satire, theater and family-friendly performances. Dates: August 5 to 15.
6th of August
Bern: Buskers Bern fills the lower Old Town with around 150 international street performers, including musicians, acrobats, dancers and theater acts, alongside food stalls and a children’s program. Dates: August 6 to 8.
Sion: The Guinness Irish Festival, celebrating Irish and Celtic music along with food and craft stalls at the Plaine des Îles. Dates: August 6 to 8.
Solothurn: Openair Solothurn with Swiss and international artists, including Stephan Eicher, Morcheeba, Xavier Rudd, Lo & Leduc, and Baschi, at Schanzenplatz near the old town. Dates: August 6 to 16.
Yverdon-les-Bains: Le Castrum is a free multidisciplinary arts festival with around 40 theater, dance, circus, music and workshop projects across streets and venues throughout the city. Dates: August 6 to 9, most events are free.
7th of August
Rapperswil-Jona: Seenachtfes, a lakeside festival with live music, air shows, family entertainment, food and market stalls, and two large fireworks displays on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m. Dates: August 7-9, along the Rapperswil-Jona waterfront and as far as I understood tickets are required.
Kreuzlingen: Fantastical, a lakeside festival with live music, street food, rides, shows, family entertainment and the largest fireworks display on Lake Constance. Dates: August 7 to 9, at the Kreuzlingen lakefront.
Thun: Thunfest, a town festival with live concerts, food and market stalls, bars and family activities throughout the old town. Dates: August 7 to 9.
Zurich: Lethargy Festival is an audiovisual and electronic music festival featuring live concerts, DJ sets, performances and immersive art installations at Rote Fabrik. Dates: August 7–9.
Saignelégier: The Marché-Concours is a major national horse festival with races, parades, equestrian shows, exhibitions and regional traditions. Dates: August 7–9.
Appenzell: The Appenzeller Ländlerfest celebrates its 30th anniversary with traditional Swiss folk music, dancing, concerts, yodeling and festive performances across village squares and restaurants. Dates: August 7-9.
Nyon: The 37th Nyon Triathlon offers nine race formats for different ages and ability levels, alongside the FISU World University Championship featuring top student-athletes from around the world. Dates: August 7-9.
Brunnen: Windweek, a lakeside festival with free water and outdoor sports to try, regattas, action shows, live concerts, food trucks and a market. Dates: August 7–9.
Zofingen: Heitere Open Air featuring around 30 Swiss and international acts along with food stalls, bars, a market, a Ferris wheel and an activity park. Dates: August 7–9.
8th of August
Zermatt: The Folklore Festival, a Swiss traditional festival with colorful costumes, alphorn music, folk dancing, flag throwing, regional food and parades through the village, including the main parade on Sunday at 13:30. Dates: August 8–9, events take place around Bahnhofstrasse, the church square and Obere Matten, with free admission to most activities.
Zurich: Street Parade is the world’s largest techno parade, with 30 Love Mobiles, major stages and hundreds of DJs to the streets around Lake Zurich.
Mürren: A traditional village festival with live music, dancing, games for all ages, a flea market, tombola, food stalls, a Saturday soccer tournament, and a parade through the village on Sunday at 13:00. Dates: August 8-9.
Reconvilier: The Bernese Jura Wrestling Festival, a traditional Swiss wrestling with athletes competing in the sawdust ring alongside regional festivities and on-site food. Dates: August 8-9, at La Werdtberg.
Grandson: The Medieval Festival in the Grandson Castle with archery, axe throwing, medieval dancing, demonstrations, workshops and family activities. Dates: August 8-9.
Rorschach: The International Sand Sculpture Festival along the Lake Constance waterfront. Dates: Artists create the works from August 8–15, followed by the exhibition from August 16–September 6, at Arionwiese.
Sonogno: The Verzasca Country Festival with live country music, Tex-Mex food, bars and family-friendly entertainment to the village’s sports center.
9th of August
Männlichen: A Swiss traditional mountain event with alphorn performances, flag throwing, yodeling and folk music.
11th of August
Neuchâtel: The Buskers Festival fills the city with international street music, dance, circus, theater, comedy and storytelling performances. Dates: August 11-15.
13th of August
Zurich: Zürcher Theater Spektakel is an international performing arts festival with contemporary theater, dance, music, street art, and open-air performances in a lively lakeside setting at Landiwiese. Dates: August 13-30.
Lucerne: Lucerne Festival Summer is one of the world’s leading classical music festivals, with around 120 concerts and events at the KKL and throughout the city. Dates: August 13 to September 13.
Lausanne: The Festival Cinémas d’Afrique with African films, documentaries, filmmaker encounters and cultural events. Dates: August 13-16.
14th of August
Mümliswil: The 118th Northwest Swiss Schwing Festival celebrates traditional Swiss wrestling with competitions in the sawdust arena, folk music, food, bars, and festive entertainment throughout the weekend. Dates: August 14-16.
Tavannes: Fête des Saisons is a lively village festival featuring food stands, rides, entertainment and its floral parade with around 20 floats and musical groups. Dates: August 14-16.
Saas-Almagell: SaasFeestival brings live Swiss folk and dialect-pop music to the village square, with performances by Heimatliebi and Fründe against a scenic mountain backdrop.
St. Gallen: St. Galler Fest in the historic old town with live music, entertainment, food stands, bars, children’s activities and performances. Dates: August 14-15.
Chur: Churer Fest is Graubünden’s largest public festival, filling the Old Town with live music, entertainment, attractions, food, and drinks from local clubs. Dates: August 14-16.
Vevey: The International Street Artists Festival in Vevey’s Old Town with juggling, acrobatics, mime, theater, clowning, fire shows and children’s circus workshops. Dates: August 14-16, admission is free.
Brunnen: Spettacolo transforms Brunnen into an open-air stage with comedy, acrobatics, magic, fire, theater and music shows, plus global food stalls. Dates: August 14-16.
Basel: Em Bebbi sy Jazz, a jazz festival in Basel’s city center.
Sion: The Valais Triathlon Festival offers races for every level, from children’s and beginner events to Olympic, Half, and Full-distance triathlons, alongside paddle races, family entertainment, food and exhibitors. Dates: August 14-16.
15th of August
Vaduz: This may not be in Switzerland but it’s super close and looks really fun, The Liechtenstein’s National Day begins with an official ceremony near Vaduz Castle, followed by a large public festival with live music, food stalls, family activities, a torchlight procession and fireworks at 22:00. Date: August 15, from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 a.m. and admission to the public festival is free.
Fribourg: The International Folklore Festival with nearly 500 dancers, singers and musicians from around the world for colorful traditional performances, parades, workshops and cultural encounters. Dates: August 15–23.
16th of August
Lucerne: The Lake Lucerne Crossing is a recreational 1.1-kilometer open-water swim from Lido Lucerne to Tribschen, fun to watch even if you’re not a swimmer.
Lugano: Lugano Lake Crossing or Traversata Lago di Lugano is a noncompetitive 2.5-kilometer open-water swim from Caprino to Lido di Lugano.
17th of August
Silvaplana: VANORA Engadinwind turns Lake Silvaplana into an international windsurfing arena, from August 17 to 28.
19th of August
Gampel: Open Air Gampel, featuring major Swiss and international pop, hip-hop, rock, and electronic acts, including Kygo, sombr, Marteria, Hecht, and Lo & Leduc, alongside camping and late-night parties. Dates: August 19-23.
Wetzikon: Fàrbifestival is a circus and cultural festival with contemporary acrobatics, clowning, magic, juggling, live music and children’s workshops at Stadtgarten Färberwiese. Dates: August 19–23.
20th of August
Lausanne: The Lausanne Afro Fusions Festival celebrates African and Afro-diasporic cultures with live music, DJs, dance workshops, food stands, an artisan market and cultural activities at the Esplanade and Casino de Montbenon. Dates: August 20-23.
Nyon: The Nyon Street Food Festival with around 40 food trucks and stalls by the lakeside, serving international dishes made with local ingredients, plus regional wines, beers and drinks. Dates: August 20–23, at Parking de Rive.
Saanen: The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is an international polo tournament featuring top teams competing against a dramatic Alpine backdrop, plus a Polo Village with food stands, luxury boutiques, and a children’s area. Dates: August 20–23.
21st of August
Yverdon-les-Bains: Forget Yesterday Festival combines urban music, street art, and action sports, with concerts, FMX shows, skateboarding, BMX, breakdancing, live graffiti, workshops, and food trucks around the skatepark and ice rink. Dates: August 21-22.
Aarburg: Route 66 Festival is Switzerland’s classic car and rock ’n’ roll festival, featuring more than 3,000 vintage vehicles, live bands, a vintage market, Western village, food and retro entertainment. Dates: August 21–23.
25th of August
Geneva: La Bâtie is a multidisciplinary performing arts festival with theater, dance, circus, concerts, DJ sets and experimental performances at venues across Geneva and the surrounding region. Dates: August 25 to September 13.
Basel: Theaterfestival Basel presents international contemporary theater, dance, performance art, circus, installations, talks and workshops at venues across Basel and the surrounding region. Dates: August 25 to September 6.
26th of August
Zurich: Weltklasse Zürich brings the world’s top athletes to the city, beginning with women’s pole vaulting inside Zurich Main Station on August 26 and continuing with the main Diamond League meeting at Letzigrund Stadium on August 27. Dates: August 26-27.
27th of August
Neuchâtel: The Neuchâtel Street Food Festival with a wide selection of food trucks and restaurants serving flavors from around the world from August 27 to 30.
St. Moritz: Passione Engadina celebrates Italian automotive design with a scenic regularity rally, rare classic and collector cars and the Eleganza in Movimento concours against the Engadin’s Alpine backdrop. Dates: The main rally takes place August 28–29, while the broader 15th-anniversary program runs August 27–30.
Glarus: Sound of Glarus is an open-air music festival in the heart of town, featuring Swiss and international acts including Stephan Eicher, Lo & Leduc, Kunz, Florian Ast, and Young Rebel Set. Dates: August 27-29.
Morges: The Paillote Festival with three evenings of live music and summer festivities at Parc de l’Indépendance on the shores of Lake Geneva. Dates: August 27–29, admission is free.
28th of August
Locarno: The Risotto Festival brings chefs, local associations, and carnival groups together for two evenings of risotto tastings, competitions, live music, entertainment and a win in Piazza Grande. Dates: August 28-29.
Klewenalp: KlewenAlpFestival celebrates Swiss traditions with natural yodeling, folk music, young-talent performances and a Sunday yodeling mass high above Lake Lucerne. Dates: August 28-30.
Solothurn: The Street Food Festival features dishes from around the world, live street musicians, riverside games, and a children’s area with a bouncy castle on Saturday and Sunday. Dates: August 28-30.
Uster: Fantasy Spektakulum takes visitors on a journey from the Middle Ages to Star Wars, steampunk, pirates and fantasy worlds, with live shows, costumed characters, a craft market, themed food, and family entertainment. Dates: August 28-30.
Estavayer-le-Lac: The Bénichon Festival celebrates Fribourg traditions with regional food, a craft market, live music, animals, pony rides, carousels, and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Dates: August 28–30.
Zurich: Dörflifäscht in the Niederdorf and Old Town, turning them into a lively neighborhood festival with live music, DJs, street food, bars and market stalls. Dates: August 28-30.
Arbon: SummerDays Festival is a lakeside pop and rock festival featuring Swiss and international artists including Roxette, Anastacia, Tom Odell, Hecht, Nena, and Lo & Leduc. Dates: August 28–29.
Lausanne: The Lausanne Judo Grand Slam brings the world’s top judokas to Switzerland for the country’s first-ever Grand Slam event on the International Judo Federation World Tour. Dates: August 28-30.
Spiez: Seaside Festival is a lakeside music festival featuring Swiss and international pop and rock acts, including Tom Odell, Alvaro Soler, Anastacia, Roxette, Gotthard, and Nena. Dates: August 28-29.
Schwyz: The Schwyzer Filmtage celebrate Swiss cinema with premieres, previews, classics and popular films, with a special focus on productions from Central Switzerland. Dates: August 28-30.
29th of August
Solothurn: The Solothurn Dragon Boat Race on the Aare, accompanied by rhythmic drumming and a lively waterfront atmosphere for spectators.
August: Römerfest Augusta Raurica is Switzerland’s largest Roman festival, bringing the ancient city to life with more than 500 performers, gladiator fights, legionaries, dancers, crafts, children’s activities and Roman-inspired food. Dates: August 29-30.
Flumserberg: The Alphorntreffen brings together up to 100 alphorn players and flag throwers for spontaneous performances across the mountain, including impressive full-ensemble concerts at Tannenboden and Seebenalp. Dates: August 29-30.
Lausanne: The Lausanne Triathlon with swimming, cycling and running races for all levels, plus activities and talks at the Triathlon Village. Dates: August 29-30.
Cham: Villette Fäscht is a lakeside community festival with live concerts, water-ski shows, bathtub races, circus acts, children’s activities, and food stands in Hirsgarten and Villette Park. Dates: August 29-30.
