10 festivals in Switzerland you shouldn't miss
Switzerland – known for its festivals? Yes, Switzerland also has festivals that delight hundreds of thousands of people every year. In addition to delicious chocolate and stunning landscapes, there are countless festivals. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to decide.
Therefore, here are our top 10 best festivals in Switzerland.
In our ranking of the best festivals in Switzerland 2025, we examined all festivals and rated them according to artists, international reputation, size and location.
First place will surprise most people.
10th place: Gurten Festival
Switzerland has a lot to offer with its breathtaking natural beauty. A taste of this can be experienced at the multi-genre Gurten Festival . The event takes place on a hill near Bern and offers impressive views over the city.
As the sun sets in the evening and the lights of the capital flicker in the distance, the festival's relaxed atmosphere puts all music lovers in an incomparable mood. From hip-hop to rock, pop, and electronic music, the Gurten Festival has the right acts for every taste .
When: 16.07 - 19.07
Where: Bern
9th place: Caprices Festival
This festival is unparalleled, especially due to its spectacular location in the renowned ski resort of Crans Montana. The Caprices Festival offers electronic music enthusiasts breathtaking views of the Matterhorn in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
As one of the most well-known electronic music events in Switzerland, the festival's appeal lies primarily in its combination of winter sports and music. Fun is guaranteed even off the slopes.
The world's only glass stage is an absolute eye-catcher. Here, top-notch DJs and deep bass meet snow-covered mountains and a dancing crowd.
When: April 4 - 13
Where: Crans Montana
8th place: OpenAir St. Gallen
Just before the Caprices Festival, the internationally renowned OpenAir St. Gallen made it to the top. The festival offers a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, and electronic music. International stars such as Nina Chuba, The Chainsmokers, and KIZ will be playing at OpenAir St. Gallen this year.
As one of the oldest festivals in Switzerland, it is characterized by a motivated and vibrant community. Festival fans will find the typical festival camping vibe here, with its very own rules.
When: 26.06 - 29.06
Where: St. Gallen
7th place: Moon and Stars
Attention pop and rock fans! Ranked seventh among the best festivals in Switzerland is the Moon and Stars Festival. For ten days, the Piazza Grande in Locarno transforms into one of Switzerland's best pop and rock festivals . Top-class open-air concerts take place every day.
Renowned acts like Peter Fox, Snow Patrol, and Joris will be heating up their fans. The Mediterranean flair makes the festival unique and promises warm summer nights with the best music.
By the way: The festival also offers a show for the very little ones on the Bambini Stage.
When: 10.07 - 20.07
Where: Locarno
6th place: Street Parade
The Street Parade is considered the largest techno parade in the world and is therefore a must-see for all electronic music lovers. From top international DJs like Fjaak and Lilly Palmer to Monolink, the Street Parade offers pulsating beats and colorful parades. An internationally renowned mega-event of the highest order.
At the beginning of August, the Street Parade along Lake Zurich offers almost a million people a day of techno and tolerance.
When: August 9, 2025
Where: Zurich
5th place: Frauenfeld Openair
Things are about to get big! The next placements are not only internationally renowned, but also have a lot to offer!
The Frauenfeld Open Air. The name says it all, and it's as well-known in the hip-hop and rap scene as Gucci and Prada. At the beginning of July, the industry's biggest names gather at Europe's largest hip-hop festival .
Spectacular shows and prominent acts such as Nicki Minaj, Ski Aggu, 21 Savage and Apache 207 await you. For one weekend, Frauenfeld will be in a state of emergency.
When: 10.07 - 12.07
Where: Frauenfeld
4th place: Greenfield Festival
Only fans of rock, punk, and metal bring even more energy. Fourth place goes to the Greenfield Festival . In the heart of the idyllic and tranquil village of Interlaken, between picturesque mountains and lakes, everything is turned upside down once a year.
The energetic crowd celebrates and jumps to acts like Slipknot, Electric Callboy, Powerwolf, and many more at the Swiss rock festival . Is everything packed up for the mosh pit yet?
When: 10.06 - 14.06
Where: Interlaken
3rd place: Paléo Festival Nyon
Third place goes to the Paléo Festival Nyon for its diverse musical styles and friendly atmosphere. As Switzerland's largest open-air festival, it delights hundreds of thousands of people with over 250 different artists from all over the world.
In addition, all art lovers will find various stands for street art, workshops or circus art.
To ensure you don't go hungry with all the options, you'll find a wide variety of culinary experiences from all over the world. Diversity is a top priority here.
When: July 22nd - July 27th
Where: Nyon
2nd place: Zurich Openair
Before we get to number one, let's go back to Zurich. The Zurich Openair offers not only a top-class lineup, but above all innovative, top-notch stage shows. The modern festival grounds attract fans of rock and pop music, as well as electronic music enthusiasts.
International stars like Rita Ora, Deichkind, Scooter, and Anyma delight hundreds of thousands of people in Zurich's urban flair. This pop and rock festival is an absolute must!
When: August 22nd - 23rd and August 29th - 30th
Where: Zurich
1st place: Montreux Jazz Festival
Admittedly, jazz isn't the most popular genre of music, which may surprise many, but this Swiss jazz festival combines a breathtaking setting on Lake Geneva, worldwide renown, and international stars from jazz, pop, and rock. The Montreux Jazz Festival has it all.
Whether Jon Batiste, James Arthur or Deep Purple – all artists play on top-class Meyer Sound systems, giving the festival a distinctive character.
This is due to the limited number of tickets available for each day. Only around 7,000 guests can fit on the grounds each day.
When: July 4th - July 19th
Where: Montreux
Conclusion
These were our top ten festivals in Switzerland. From breathtaking landscapes to urban flair, from techno to jazz, from small and intimate atmospheres to the largest hip-hop festival in Europe.
One thing is clear: Switzerland stands for diversity, international recognition, and quality. Each of these festivals has its own unique character and delights countless people around the world every year.
So let's go: pack your things, grab your friends and enjoy the best festivals Switzerland has to offer.
Have fun!