Despite the odd thunderstorm and rain shower it looks like summer has finally arrived in Lucerne. Now the big question is how to make the most of it! Summertime usually results in plenty festivals taking place almost everywhere in the world and the same can be said for Switzerland. From now until September we’ll bring you a list of all the big events happening each month locally and around the country so that you can plan ahead of time and enjoy all they have to offer.
July
Montreux Jazz Festival ~ June 28 – July 13: Over 50 years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become a singular rendezvous in the world of music. For this edition, the Festival intends to tell its story and affirm its values and specificities in order to better project itself into the future. This Festival rapidly earned a reputation for fantastic concerts, unbelievable artistic collaborations, rare moments, improbable anecdotes, audacity, ambitious projects, and impulsive decisions
Moon and Stars ~ July 11 – 21: In its 15th year, the unique setting of the Piazza Grande stage awaits for great international and artists. The festival visitors will have the opportunity to experience in a magical ambience top acts live and up close to live with them their emotions to get carried away. This year sees Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding and Lana del Rey, to name but a few, taking to the stage.
Coop Open Air Kino Luzern ~ 10 July – 18 August: The big screens will be going up again soon at the Alpenquai for the 25th annual outdoor cinema. There is an incredible array of movies being shown in plenty of languages as well. So if you feel like testing your language skills then head you can sit outside and watch a movie in German, Italian, French and even English. You can check the schedule online and also book your tickets there as well. Remember it is outdoors so go prepared with an umbrella and light jacket as a precaution.
Circus Knie ~ 5 – 21 July: The best-known dynasty in the circus world is the Knie family with no less than two circuses. Circus Knie, a classical circus par excellence, with elephants and horses in its programme as well as international top acts which will be coming to the Allmend for three weeks.
Basel Tattoo ~ 12 – 20 July: The Basel Tattoo is a military music event that attracts only the very best bands from across the globe and thus covers all music genres, from march to rock, folk to classical music. From dance shows, fantastic bands, breathtaking choreographies and dramatic show elements play an important role in the overall experience of the spectators.
Blue Balls Festival ~ 19 – 28 July: With such a memorable name and nine days of music and street revelry, this festival is one that is hard to miss. With over 100 artists from an array of genres the city will be alive and kicking, with the KKL being the centre stage for most acts. For CHF 20.- you can buy a festival pin from the vendors roaming the city and have access to all the free events over the whole nine days. The lakeside is lined with food and market stands and host to this pedestrian party, while in the Schweizerhof Hotel and Pavillion there will be many free events.9
