Unmissable happenings in Switzerland during July 2025: A rundown of 7 captivating events.
Swing by Switzerland this July and prep for a calendar packed with exciting outdoor events! The stellar weather makes for prime sun-soaked fun, and here are seven events that'll get your summer started right:
- UEFA Women's Football Euro Championship With 700,000 spectators expected, the live championship matches take center stage in stadiums across eight cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen, Thun, and Zurich. SBB even operates 400 extra trains to ease your transportation hassle – just flash your ticket for a free ride on match days using Swiss public transport!
- Swim Across Lake Zurich Dive into the action on July 2nd for a splashing good time! The event starts off at Mythenquai and ends at Tiefenbrunnen for a 1,500-meter swim that's a swimmer's dream. If Mother Nature fails to cooperate, the event will be rescheduled for July 9th or August 20th.
- Montreux Jazz Festival (VD) Groove to the beat of icons like Neil Young, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, and Chaka Khan at this year's jazz fest against the stunning backdrop of the Alps and Lake Geneva. Discover more about this summer classic here.
- Moon & Stars, Locarno (TI) Picture a magical summer evening in Locarno's enchanting Piazza Grande, listening to first-class live music under the stars. Zucchero and other popular artists are set to perform. 'Heavenly' doesn't even begin to cover it!
- Open-Air Opera, Zurich Zurich's Sechseläutenplatz transforms into an open-air stage on July 12th as Opernhaus Zürich presents Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann. It's a free, open-air opera that's been an annual must-see for over a decade!
- Alphorn festival, Saas Fe (VS) Step into Switzerland's rich heritage at this event, where 100 alphorn players in traditional attire will captivate you with melodies echoing through the Swiss Alps. It's an authentic celebration that embodies Switzerland's heritage!
- Paléo Music Festival, Nyon (VD) With Will Smith, the Sex Pistols, and the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Nemo, you won't want to miss Switzerland's biggest open-air music fest, held from July 22nd to July 27th. The Woodstock-like setting and diverse musical lineup make it an unforgettable summer experience!
In July, Switzerland promises a tantalizing array of outdoor events from music festivals and cultural celebrations to natural spectacles like the Great Rhine Falls Fireworks ("Fire on the Rocks"). Don't miss out on the fun – Switzerland awaits!
Prepare to be captivated by the UEFA Women's Football Euro Championship, where the thrill of sports collides with the energy of music, as legendary artists like Neil Young and Chaka Khan will perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival alongside the championship matches.
For music lovers, the Paleo Music Festival in Nyon offers an unforgettable summer experience featuring a diverse lineup that includes Will Smith and the winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, Nemo. Meanwhile, the alphorn festival in Saas Fe showcases the country's cultural heritage with 100 traditional alphorn players performing melodies that echo through the Swiss Alps.
