Event Details
Montreux Jazz Festival 2026: 60 Years of Music History on Lake Geneva
From 3 to 18 July 2026, the Montreux Jazz Festival celebrates its 60th edition on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. This milestone year also marks the festival's return to the newly renovated 2M2C convention centre after a two-year hiatus. Across 16 days and more than 700 concerts, DJ sets and activities, the lakeside promenade transforms into an extraordinary stage for jazz, pop, soul, rock and electronic music. The lineup includes RAYE, Sting, Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson, John Legend, Tyla, PinkPantheress, Conan Gray and dozens more artists from 22 countries.
Highlights of the 60th Edition
- Return to the renovated 2M2C convention centre with the legendary Auditorium Stravinski
- Opening night on 3 July featuring RAYE at Auditorium Stravinski
- Sting, Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson, John Legend, Tyla, PinkPantheress and Conan Gray
- Montreux Jazz Lab as the second main venue showcasing emerging artists
- Over 700 concerts, DJ sets and cultural activities across 16 days
- Extensive free lakeside concert programme
- Special 60th anniversary exhibition
- Two-storey electro club and beach area at Parc Vernex
- Official festival poster created by Swiss fashion designer Kévin Germanier
Programme & Venues
The two main paid venues are the Auditorium Stravinski (doors from 7:30 PM) and the Montreux Jazz Lab (doors from 7:00 PM), with concerts starting at 8:00 PM each evening. More than half of the artists in the lineup will perform their only Swiss show of the season in Montreux. Alongside the paid programme, the festival offers one of the most extensive free cultural programmes on the Swiss scene: lakeside stages, DJ sets, film screenings, workshops and family activities. The Montreux Jazz Digital Library, containing over 11,000 hours of archival recordings, has been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World register since 2013.
History & Legacy
Founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival has grown from a niche jazz showcase into one of the world's most prestigious music events. Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Prince, David Bowie and Deep Purple have all delivered legendary performances here. Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" was directly inspired by a fire that broke out during the festival in 1971. Freddie Mercury and David Bowie both lived in the region and recorded albums nearby. Today, the festival attracts around 250,000 visitors each year.
Tickets & Prices
The free lakeside programme is open to all without a ticket. For paid concerts at the Auditorium Stravinski and Montreux Jazz Lab, tickets are available through the official festival website and Ticketcorner. VIP passes and packages start from CHF 500 for standing access with aperitif dinner and fast-lane entry. Tickets are non-refundable; optional cancellation insurance is available at the time of purchase. Montreux Jazz Festival Insider subscribers gain priority box office access 22 hours before general sale opens each evening.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive by train: the festival is steps from Montreux station and public transport options are extended during the event.
- Parking is very limited; motorists are redirected from the motorway to car parks in Montreux, Villeneuve and La Tour-de-Peilz.
- Book accommodation early; hotels across the Lake Geneva region sell out quickly for the festival period.
- Smart-casual dress is the norm at Auditorium Stravinski; the Jazz Lab has a younger and more relaxed atmosphere.
- The free lakeside programme runs daily and features high-quality performances at no cost.
- Wheelchair access, adapted toilets and companion ticket discounts are available; book via [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance.
