Montreux is one of Europe’s classiest music events, and this guide will help you navigate the essentials: from Montreux Jazz Festival tips and the overall Montreux Jazz Festival review to the best ways to attend in style. You’ll learn about free and paid concerts, jam sessions, travel logistics, and more. Whether you’re curious about the Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 lineup, VIP options, or simply want a relaxed summer of music in Switzerland, read on to discover all you need to know about this iconic event on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Montreux dedicates itself to music for the first two weeks of July. I attended the first weekend and wished I could have stayed longer. Montreux’s village is charming and a great place to hang out for a few days.
Few people know that most of the festival areas are free to access. Only the two biggest concert halls have paid programs requiring tickets in advance. Where is the Montreux Jazz Festival held? It takes place right by the shore of Lake Geneva, offering spectacular views and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Tip: Buy your tickets in advance, as prices may increase last minute when only VIP tickets remain.
The Montreux Jazz Festival lasts for 16 days, with events every evening. There are no shows during the day, making it ideal for night owls. The festival goes on until 5 am, which is especially appealing for late-night music lovers.
I spent a few hours exploring the festival’s free stages. Finding live jazz was a bit challenging, as the festival has expanded to include various music genres, DJ sets, and other entertainment. If you enjoy dancing, you’ll find lakeside DJ stages that run late into the night.
Thousands flock to the lakefront to enjoy the street vendors’ excellent food.
Eventually, I found the Super Bock stage with live music (though not jazz). The free stages often feature up-and-coming acts, so you may discover new talent. The festival is packed, but still well-organized and rarely overwhelming.
The entire lakefront promenade is lined with stages and food stands. The location, overlooking Lake Geneva, is absolutely stunning.
The views of the lake add to the festival’s laid-back summer vibe.
Many big-name artists have performed here, including A-Ha, Bjork, Diana Ross, Robert Plant, and Herbie Hancock. The will likely be equally impressive. Paid shows take place in two main concert halls, and you’ll need to swap your ticket for a bracelet before entry.
Tip: Become a member of the Montreux Jazz Festival to skip the lines. Membership costs around 45 Swiss francs for three months.
The Stravinski Auditorium holds about 4000 people, mostly standing room, with a small balcony for seated viewing. This intimate setup offers a rare chance to see stadium-level acts up close.
Tip: For quieter concerts, choose the lateral balcony seats for a more immersive, comfortable experience.
The sound quality at the Stravinski Auditorium is fantastic, though you can’t bring drinks inside, which can be challenging if it’s hot. Plan to hydrate beforehand.
Tip: If you’re looking into Montreux Jazz Festival VIP tickets, note that they often include special lounge access or added perks, but the experience can still be very enjoyable with a standard ticket. The vip experince includes :Seats in the best category for the Lake and Casino stages, Open Bar all evening, Guided tour of the Lake House, Cocktail dinner prepared and served by the Fairmont le Montreux Palace, Access to “Les Jardins” the hospitality village and to the after-show, Fast-lane access to night venues and festival terraces. Prices start at 1500 CHF
I caught Emilie Zoe (electro-rock) opening for Nick Cave on the second of August, reminiscent of an early Radiohead vibe. Nick Cave delivered a dynamic show, starting strong and ending with a triumphant finale.
Björk, accompanied by the Sinfonietta de Lausanne, performed on August 3rd. It was a quieter interpretation of her music—purely orchestral without electronic elements. She closed her set to a standing ovation, despite the sweltering heat.
Finding traditional jazz at Montreux sometimes requires a bit of searching, but the late-night sessions at the Memphis room are worth the wait. This is where you can experience jam sessions that recall Montreux’s jazz roots.
The Memphis is located in the Lakehouse, the festival’s core hub, featuring multiple floors of entertainment (including a library, cinema, and top-floor DJ parties). The ground floor is all about the iconic open mic jam sessions, where musicians—sometimes famous, sometimes not—drop in to collaborate.
These jam sessions run until 5 am and provide unexpected musical treasures. Arrive before 11 pm if you want a table; the crowd swells around midnight.
Tip: The music often gets even better after 1 am, so be prepared for a late night if you want to see top-notch improvisations.
A variety of food stalls along the lakefront offer global cuisines. Some fine dining options even serve foie gras or caille. Bars are plentiful, with usually no wait, selling beers, soft drinks, and even champagne.
Prices are typical for Switzerland: beers at 6 CHF, soft drinks at 4 CHF. The festival sites are well-staffed, so queues stay short.
Montreux is about 75 minutes from Geneva Airport by car or train. A direct train from Geneva takes around an hour, dropping you just minutes from the festival.
Tip: Sit on the right side of the train from Geneva to Montreux for scenic lake views.
I tried traveling from Belgium by train—German ICE cancellations and delays made it quite challenging. However, once you reach Switzerland, trains and buses are very efficient, so you can also stay in Vevey or Lausanne and commute if the Montreux hotels are fully booked.
Accommodation can be pricey and limited, so book early. I secured an Airbnb 15 minutes from the festival. For a luxury stay, the Fairmont is closest to the main venues, with wonderful lake views. If it’s fully booked, the Majestic or Royal Plazza are also good, nearby choices.
If you attend the festival in July and want to make it a premium experience, consider booking many months in advance. Taxis and Uber run late, so you can also choose to stay farther away.
Tip: Jam sessions last until 5 am, so proximity to your hotel matters if you plan on late nights.
While the festival doesn’t really focus on jazz anymore, it’s a unique blend of music, lakefront ambiance, and late-night jam sessions. Over 16 days in July, you can relax in Montreux by day and enjoy big-name concerts by night—an approach that’s more leisurely than most music festivals.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time and will return, hopefully for more than two nights. If you’re seeking a straightforward guide, let this introduce you to an unforgettable summer in Switzerland.
For those looking for other music events, check out my review of the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. And for more European festival reviews, see my posts on Colors of Ostrava in Czech Republic and Nuits Botanique in Belgium.
A: Most of the festival grounds and certain stages are free to enter. However, the main headliner concerts require paid tickets, which should be purchased in advance to ensure availability.
A: You can expect a lakeside setting with diverse music genres, late-night jam sessions, a mix of free and paid concerts featuring world-class performers, and plenty of food and drink options.
A: Book accommodation early as Montreux gets busy in July. The Fairmont is a top luxury choice near the main venues, but other options include the Majestic, Royal Plazza, or Airbnb rentals within walking distance.
A: A direct train from Geneva Airport takes about an hour, dropping you close to the festival site. It’s both efficient and offers scenic lake views along the way.
A: Yes. The Memphis room hosts jam sessions every night until 5 am. Musicians—sometimes even headliners—often show up for spontaneous performances.
A: You’ll find global cuisines, including street food and fine dining options. Bars are plentiful, serving beer, wine, and champagne with minimal waiting times.
A: Arrive early for popular concerts, explore the free stages, plan for the jam sessions if you’re a night owl, and remember to stay hydrated, as drinks aren’t allowed inside the main auditoriums.
A: Absolutely. Consider VIP tickets for extra benefits or festival membership for quicker entry. Pair that with a high-end hotel like the Fairmont to elevate your visit.
A: The festival typically spans the first two weeks of July. This extended schedule allows you to enjoy performances over multiple days at a relaxed pace.
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Nice article! About what time did your Nick Cave concert finish? Trying to plan for a visit to see Buddy Guy this year!
cant really remember. think it was around 11 pm. But try to stay for the jam sessions. Those are the real highlight of montreux jazz festival. I stayed until 2 or 3 am there...
Great over view, I may want to contact you personally for more informant ossable