Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival is a celebrated annual music event held in early July in Montreux, Switzerland, by Lake Geneva. Founded in 1967, it has grown into one of the world's largest jazz festivals, now featuring a wide range of musical genres and attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.

• Founded in 1967 on the shores of Lake Geneva
• Second-largest annual jazz festival in the world
• Features jazz, rock, pop, and world music artists
• Hosts competitions for piano, guitar, and voice
• Annual poster art by renowned artists

What it is

The Montreux Jazz Festival is an internationally acclaimed music gathering that transforms the Swiss town of Montreux into a vibrant hub for jazz, rock, pop, and world music. While jazz remains at its heart, the festival welcomes artists from many genres, drawing music lovers from around the globe. Its lakeside setting, lively atmosphere, and rich history of legendary performances make it a highlight of the European summer festival circuit. The event is known for its blend of intimate concerts, large-scale shows, and a spirit of discovery, where both established stars and emerging talents share the stage.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 1967, founded by Claude Nobs, Géo Voumard, and René Langel, with support from Atlantic Records' Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun. Initially a three-day event focused almost exclusively on jazz, it quickly gained a reputation for attracting top musicians such as Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. Over the decades, the festival expanded its musical scope, especially from the 1970s onward, to include blues, rock, pop, and music from around the world. Its growth was also shaped by collaborations with figures like Quincy Jones and a tradition of commissioning annual poster art from renowned artists.

How it is celebrated

During the first half of July, Montreux comes alive with concerts on multiple stages, including the main venues at the Montreux Convention Centre and, during renovations, a special stage built on the lake. The festival features headline acts, themed shows on boats and trains, and open-air performances along the lakeside. Visitors can enjoy a mix of ticketed concerts and free events, with food stalls, artisan vendors, and bustling promenades adding to the festive mood. Competitions for solo piano, guitar, and voice encourage young talent, while workshops and jam sessions invite participation from both artists and audiences. The festival also emphasizes sustainability, promoting recycling and public transport.

Joining in

To experience the Montreux Jazz Festival, head to Montreux on Lake Geneva's shoreline in early July. The main concerts are held at the Convention Centre or, during renovations, on a floating stage with stunning lake views. Expect lively crowds, a cosmopolitan mix of festival-goers, and music that spills out onto the promenades and cafés. While some headline shows require tickets, many performances and activities are free, making it accessible for all. Arriving by train is recommended, as the town becomes busy and parking is limited during the festival.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Montreux Jazz Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Montreux Jazz Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.