What's on in Bern
Festivals, markets and the holidays that close the shops — the whole year, in date order. Filter it down and plan a trip around the city's rhythm.
Every date ahead
26 events
July 20263
July 3–18, 2026Nearby · Lausanne, CHMontreux Jazz Festival 2026 (60th edition)
One of the world's most famous music festivals returns to the shores of Lake Geneva for its landmark 60th edition. Headline concerts in the Stravinski Auditorium and Montreux Jazz Lab sit alongside hundreds of free shows across the lakeside town, within easy reach of Bern.
July 15–18, 2026Gurtenfestival 2026
Bern’s biggest open-air music festival on the Gurten hill—big stages, sunset views, and a classic summer city-break highlight.
July 25, 2026BernPride 2026
BernPride returns on July 25 with a demonstration through central Bern followed by a Pride festival on Bundesplatz. The organiser lists the demonstration from Waisenhausplatz at 12:30 and the festival from 15:30.
August 20265
August 1, 2026Swiss National Day (August 1) in Bern
Swiss National Day is a nationwide public holiday on August 1. The City of Bern confirms a 2026 celebration on Bundesplatz with music, culture, games and family activities; check the organiser for the final timetable.
August 6–8, 2026Buskers Bern 2026
A street performance festival that turns the Old Town into a roaming stage—music, acrobatics, comedy, and a summer-night vibe.
August 6–9, 2026Nearby · Thun & Lake Thun, CHThunfest 2026
Thunfest's 50th edition runs August 6–9, 2026, opening with a separate anniversary evening on Thursday before the main city-festival programme. The organiser lists more than 20 concerts and over 80 stands.
August 8, 2026Nearby · Zürich, CHZurich Street Parade 2026
The world's largest techno parade takes over Zurich's lakefront with around 30 Love Mobiles, huge stages and top DJs, drawing close to a million people. Free to attend and an easy day trip from Bern.
August 13–September 13, 2026Nearby · Lucerne, CHLucerne Festival Summer 2026
Switzerland's premier classical-music festival fills the KKL Lucerne with around 100 concerts by the world's leading orchestras, conductors and soloists each summer. An easy day or weekend trip from Bern on the shore of Lake Lucerne.
September 20261
October 20262
October 17–November 21, 2026Rendez-vous Bundesplatz 2026
A signature Bern autumn ritual: large-scale light and sound projections on the Federal Palace—best enjoyed as a slow evening stroll and a warm drink.
October 25, 2026Nearby · Lausanne, CHLausanne Marathon 2026
A scenic autumn road race along Lake Geneva, starting and finishing around Lausanne with marathon, half-marathon and 10 km options plus walking and Nordic-walking categories.
November 20263
November 5–11, 2026Queersicht LGBTIAQ* Filmfestival 2026 (Bern)
A week of queer cinema and events in Bern—screenings, conversations, and a welcoming festival atmosphere that feels local and community-driven.
November 19–December 31, 2026Bern Christmas Markets 2026
Bern's 2026 Christmas-market season begins with the Sternenmarkt on November 19. The Waisenhausplatz and Münsterplatz markets open later in November, and the Waisenhausplatz Altjahresmarkt continues through December 31.
November 23, 2026Zibelemärit (Onion Market) 2026
Bern’s iconic November market: onion braids, confetti, early-morning crowds, and a citywide tradition that feels unmistakably Bern.
December 20262
December 25–26, 2026Christmas Public Holidays in the Canton of Bern
December 25 and 26 are public holidays under Canton Bern's holiday law. Opening hours vary by operator, so check restaurants, attractions, shops and transport directly before relying on them.
December 31 is fixed, but Bern's 2026 event programme, venues and times have not been announced.Date TBCNew Year’s Eve in Bern 2026 — programme TBC
Bern's citywide New Year's Eve programme for December 31, 2026 has not yet been published. Keep this as a planning placeholder and confirm individual dinners, concerts, parties and transport directly before booking.
January 20271
February 20271
March 20272
March 6–14, 2027Nearby · Lucerne, CHFumetto International Comic Festival 2027 (Lucerne)
One of Europe's most important comic festivals, spreading exhibitions of contemporary and independent comic art across the city of Lucerne for nine days each spring, with a major competition and a packed programme of talks and workshops.
March 26–29, 2027Easter Public Holidays in the Canton of Bern
Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in the Canton of Bern, with Easter Sunday between them. The dates create a four-day weekend for many visitors, but opening hours and transport vary by operator.
April 20272
April 19, 2027Nearby · Zürich, CHSechseläuten 2027 (Zurich Spring Festival)
Zurich's centuries-old spring festival sees the guilds parade in historic costume before burning the Böögg, a snowman effigy stuffed with fireworks — the faster its head explodes, the finer the summer is said to be. Held on the third Monday of April.
April 24–25, 2027Nearby · Lausanne, CH20 km de Lausanne 2027
The 20KM de Lausanne returns for a two-day race weekend on April 24–25, 2027. The organiser's programme spans children's and shorter races through the signature 20 km event; exact 2027 schedules and fees will be published closer to the event.
May 20273
May 6, 2027Ascension Day in the Canton of Bern
Ascension Day (Auffahrt) is a public holiday in the Canton of Bern and falls on Thursday, May 6 in 2027. Friday is not automatically a holiday, so do not assume every business creates a four-day weekend.
May 17, 2027Whit Monday in the Canton of Bern
Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) is a public holiday in the Canton of Bern and falls on May 17 in 2027, creating a three-day weekend for people who do not normally work Saturday or Sunday.
May 27, 2027Swiss Startup Days 2027 (Bern)
Switzerland's leading startup and deep-tech networking event, held annually at the Kursaal in Bern. It brings founders, investors, corporates and ecosystem enablers together for keynotes, startup pitches, an exhibition area and 1:1 matchmaking.
June 20271
Festival guides
Next reads
Keep exploring Bern with guides that pair well with this one.
