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Event · Montreux, Vaud
Montreux Jazz Festival
Music festival created in 1967 that takes over Montreux for two weeks in July, with shows at the Auditorium Stravinski and the Montreux Jazz Lab and open-air stages along the quays.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival was founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, Géo Voumard and René Langel. It began as a three-day event devoted to jazz and today lasts two weeks, always in July.
The programme goes far beyond jazz and blues, including pop, rock, electronic music and hip-hop. Artists such as Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Prince and David Bowie have performed there, and each edition mixes established names with new talent.
Ticketed shows take place at the congress centre, the Auditorium Stravinski and the Montreux Jazz Lab. Along the quays, from Parc Vernex to the boat pier, there are open-air stages, food stalls and bars, and the waterfront turns into a party.
Since 1982 each edition has featured a poster created by an invited artist. The festival's audio and video archive, the Claude Nobs Legacy, was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World register in 2013.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From one night to several days during the festival, in July.
Best time
In July, during the festival's two weeks. Ticketed shows often sell out: buy as soon as the programme is announced, in the European spring.
How to get there
The congress centre is near the waterfront, about a ten-minute walk from Montreux station. During the festival, the waterfront is packed with people until late.
Tip
Book accommodation well in advance or stay in Lausanne or Vevey, from where there are late trains. The quay stages are a good option for those without tickets.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Montreux Jazz Festival
When does the Montreux Jazz Festival take place?
Every year in July, for about two weeks.
Do you need a ticket to enjoy the festival?
Shows at the Auditorium Stravinski and the Montreux Jazz Lab require tickets; the stages on the quays are open to the public.
Is the festival only jazz?
No. The program includes blues, pop, rock, electronic music and hip-hop.
Where to stay during the festival?
In Montreux, with advance booking, or in Lausanne and Vevey, which are connected by train.