Events & Festivals in Lausanne

The Béjart Ballet Lausanne company begins its annual season with premieres and performances of classic works. The opening gala is a significant event in the city's cultural calendar, attracting dance enthusiasts. The atmosphere in the Salle Métropole is formal and expectant. This event suits those with an interest in contemporary and classical dance.

This festival focuses on documentaries and short films, with a competition for Swiss productions. Screenings are held across several cinemas, and many include discussions with directors. The atmosphere is intellectual and cinephile-friendly. It suits film students, documentary lovers, and those interested in Swiss filmmaking.

As the home of the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne's Olympic Museum hosts a rotating program of temporary exhibitions, athlete talks, and family activity days related to sports history and culture. The atmosphere is educational and inspirational. It suits sports fans and families.

A traditional carnival celebration with a masked parade that winds through the streets of the old town. Participants wear elaborate costumes, and the event includes music, confetti, and a generally playful, family-friendly mood. It is one of the larger street events in central Lausanne during the early part of the year.

A major running event with routes that show Lausanne's topography, from the lakeside in Ouchy to the hills above. It includes marathon, half-marathon, and shorter races. The atmosphere is supportive and energetic, with spectators lining key sections of the course. It suits participants and spectators who enjoy community sporting events.

While the main festival is in Nyon, this major international documentary film festival has a significant program of screenings and events in Lausanne cinemas. It features world premieres and debates with filmmakers. The atmosphere is intellectually stimulating and attracts a film-savvy audience.

While based in Bienne, this photography festival has a significant satellite program in Lausanne. Exhibitions are hosted in galleries and unconventional spaces, featuring Swiss and international artists. The atmosphere is visually engaging and contemporary. It suits photography enthusiasts and those looking for gallery visits.

A regular market focusing on local and artisan producers from the Vaud region and beyond. Stalls sell cheeses, cured meats, bread, honey, and seasonal vegetables directly from the makers. The atmosphere is authentic and focused on quality, attracting locals doing their weekly shopping.

An internationally respected festival dedicated to the music of J.S. Bach and Baroque composers, featuring excellent orchestras, choirs, and soloists. Concerts are held in Lausanne's churches, which provide excellent acoustics. The atmosphere is reverent and sophisticated, attracting a dedicated audience.

An elite international triathlon event, often part of a world series, featuring a swim in Lake Geneva, a bike course through the Lavaux vineyards, and a run along the Ouchy promenade. The atmosphere is competitive and international, with athletes racing past well-known Lausanne scenery.

Part of the worldwide celebration, this event features free live music performances on impromptu stages set up in squares, bars, and parks across Lausanne. Genres range from rock and jazz to folk and electronic. The atmosphere is spontaneous, decentralized, and lively, lasting into the night.

A large, open-air festival held in central Lausanne's old town. It features several days of free performances across multiple stages, encompassing theater, street performance, and a wide variety of music genres. The atmosphere is informal, crowded, and celebratory, taking over the squares and streets.

One of the world's most famous music festivals, located a short train ride from Lausanne. It features legendary headliners and emerging artists across jazz, rock, pop, and soul. The atmosphere is electric and cosmopolitan. While not in Lausanne, it is the dominant regional event and easily accessible.

Throughout summer, the Ouchy lakeside becomes a hub for informal sports and activities. This includes free outdoor fitness classes, stand-up paddleboard rentals, volleyball nets, and open-air swimming at the Bains des Paquis. The atmosphere is casual, active, and social, taking full advantage of the lake.

Lausanne celebrates Swiss National Day with official ceremonies, including a speech at the Cathedral and a procession. In the evening, the focus shifts to Ouchy for public festivities, food stalls, and a large fireworks display over Lake Geneva. The atmosphere is patriotic and family-oriented.

This festival brings classical, world, and contemporary music to various outdoor venues in Lausanne, often with free concerts. A highlight is the symphony performance with fireworks at Ouchy. The atmosphere is relaxed and cultured, making the most of the summer evenings by the lake.

A triennial event where landscape architects and artists create temporary public gardens and installations across the city. It transforms parks, rooftops, and unexpected urban spaces. The atmosphere is creative and exploratory. It suits those interested in design, gardening, and discovering new perspectives on the city.

A large fair showing Swiss regional products, from cheeses and wines to crafts and tourism. Each canton has a pavilion. The atmosphere is like a traditional trade fair but open to the public, with many tasting opportunities. It suits food lovers and those curious about Swiss regional variety.

This festival zeroes in on experimental film and independent music, often with a punk, electronic, or avant-garde edge. Screenings and concerts happen in intimate venues. The vibe is alternative. It suits those hunting counter-cultural events beyond the mainstream.

The municipal opera and theatre company launches its main season with a series of productions, from classic operas to modern theatrical works. Performances take place at the city's main performing arts venues. The atmosphere is formal and traditional. It suits dedicated fans of opera and classical theatre.

A traditional autumn market held in the streets of the old town, celebrating the end of the harvest. Stalls sell seasonal produce, crafts, hot wine, and grilled sausages. The atmosphere is rustic and convivial, marking the shift into the colder season in Lausanne.

Artists use light projections, installations, and interactive displays to illuminate buildings and public spaces, creating a nighttime walking trail. Key landmarks like the Cathedral and the Palais de Rumine are transformed. The atmosphere is memorable and draws large crowds of all ages.

Lausanne's main Christmas market takes over the large square near the train station with dozens of wooden chalets selling crafts, decorations, and food. A large Ferris wheel offers views, and there is an ice rink. The atmosphere is festive and commercial, central to the city's holiday preparations.

A smaller, themed Christmas market in the courtyards of the Cathedral, aiming for a historical feel. Stallholders in period costume sell traditional crafts, and there are demonstrations of old crafts like forging and calligraphy. The atmosphere is more niche and historical than the main market.

The Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne performs a program of classic Christmas music and popular seasonal classics in one of the city's large churches or concert halls. The atmosphere is formal and celebratory, offering a traditional cultural experience during the holidays.