The Montreux Jazz Festival is a historic music festival held annually on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland. Founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, Geo Voumard, and Rene Langel with support from Atlantic Records, it has grown from a three-day jazz event into a two-week celebration spanning jazz, rock, pop, soul, and hip-hop. The 2026 60th edition runs July 3 to 18, featuring over 40 artists across two main venues.
How the Montreux Jazz Festival Works
The festival operates across two primary venues: the Auditorium Stravinski (the main hall, with standing and seated tickets) and the Montreux Jazz Lab (a more intimate standing-room venue). Most nights feature at least two artists per venue, giving attendees up to four headline shows in a single evening. The festival also programs free outdoor stages and late-night jam sessions along the Montreux lakefront.
The 2026 edition marks a return to the newly renovated Convention Centre after a two-year hiatus. The festival had been held in temporary venues while the centre underwent renovation. The return means audiences once again experience the acoustics of the Stravinski Auditorium and the Montreux Jazz Lab in their original configuration.
The Montreux Jazz Festival is organized by the Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation, directed by Mathieu Jaton since Nobs's death in 2013. The festival's archive of over 11,000 hours of live recordings, curated by Nobs since 1967, was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2013. More than half of the 2026 lineup will perform their only Swiss show at Montreux, with 22 countries represented.
Real-World Example: Montreux Jazz Festival 2026
The 60th edition runs July 3 to 18, 2026. RAYE opens the festival on July 3 at the Auditorium Stravinski with a bespoke opening night performance co-created with Audemars Piguet, marking her third consecutive appearance. The July 5 bill pairs Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with Aldous Harding.
Other Stravinski headliners include PinkPantheress (July 6), Conan Gray (July 7), Dermot Kennedy (July 8), John Legend (July 9), Givēon with Yebba (July 10), The Roots with The Isley Brothers (July 11), Deep Purple with Rival Sons (July 13), Lewis Capaldi (July 14), Young Miko (July 15), Jovanotti (July 16), and Vulfpeck with Loyle Carner (July 17). The closing night on July 18 features Van Morrison, James Taylor, and Cerrone Disco Symphonic.
The Montreux Jazz Lab hosts emerging and alternative acts including Sekou, Eddy De Pretto, Angus and Julia Stone, Danny L Harle, Sienna Spiro, Liniker, Ben Bohmer, Adriatique, Agnes Obel, Paris Paloma, Charlotte Cardin, Billy Cobham's Time Machine, and Marcus Miller.
Tickets are available through the official Montreux Jazz Festival website. Prices vary by venue and artist, with Stravinski shows typically ranging from 80 to 250 CHF.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Montreux has a legacy of recording every performance. Since 1967, the festival has archived over 4,000 concerts, and select recordings have been released commercially as "Live at Montreux" albums. Artists like Prince, Nina Simone, and Miles Davis have iconic Montreux recordings in circulation. A strong set at Montreux can become part of this permanent archive.
The festival also has a history of career-defining moments. Queen recorded "Smoke on the Water" about a fire at the Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa show in 1971. Deep Purple have performed at Montreux multiple times and returned in 2026 for the 60th edition.
For independent artists targeting Montreux:
- The Montreux Jazz Lab is the primary entry point for emerging acts. The venue programs rising artists alongside more established alternative performers.
- The festival favors artists who can deliver a unique live experience. Original productions, special guests, and one-off collaborations stand out in the booking process.
- Build relationships with Swiss booking agents and European festival circuits. The festival's programming team regularly scouts talent from neighboring events.
- Submit applications through the official Montreux Jazz Festival website when calls open.
- Jazz and blues artists should have a documented discography and touring history. The festival maintains its jazz roots even as it programs broader genres.
Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to project streaming growth after a Montreux performance, and our Tour Revenue Calculator to plan your European summer festival routing.
Lineup History
The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland. The festival runs for approximately two weeks in early to mid-July. Here is a summary of headliners from recent editions:
| Year | Dates | Notable Performers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 30-July 15 | Bob Dylan, Sam Smith, Janelle Monáe, Lil Nas X, Lionel Richie, Iggy Pop, Wet Leg, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Mark Ronson, Jacob Collier, Jon Batiste, Seal, Buddy Guy | 57th edition. Bob Dylan headlined the second night at the Auditorium Stravinski |
| 2024 | July 5-20 | RAYE, Sting, Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Janelle Monáe, Duran Duran, Deep Purple, PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins, Jungle, André 3000, Air, Tems, Tyla, Lenny Kravitz, The National, Alice Cooper, Justice | 58th edition. Held outside the Convention Centre with a Lake Stage built on Lake Geneva. Deep Purple performed on the lake itself |
| 2025 | July 4-19 | Neil Young, Santana, Alanis Morissette, Pulp, Chaka Khan, FKA twigs, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, RAYE, Noah Kahan, Sam Fender, J Balvin, Jorja Smith, Benson Boone, The Black Keys, London Grammar, RUFUS DU SOL, Jamie xx, Ezra Collective, Brandi Carlile, FINNEAS, James Blake | 59th edition. Final off-site edition before returning to the renovated Convention Centre in 2026. Opening night celebrated Quincy Jones with Chaka Khan |
| 2026 | July 3-18 | RAYE, PinkPantheress, Nick Cave, Deep Purple, Lewis Capaldi, John Legend, The Roots, Van Morrison, Sting, Conan Gray, Dermot Kennedy, Givēon, Young Miko, Jovanotti, Vulfpeck, Loyle Carner, James Taylor, Cerrone | 60th edition. Returns to the newly renovated Convention Centre. RAYE opens the festival for the third consecutive year |
Video Gallery
The Montreux Jazz Festival produces an official aftermovie each year, filmed by their audiovisual production partner Millennium. The festival also publishes full performances and clips on their YouTube channel:
Related Resources
- Music Festivals Directory - Explore other historic European music festivals
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate streaming revenue after a festival performance
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Plan your European festival tour budget
- Montreal International Jazz Festival - The world's largest jazz festival, also founded in the early 1980s
- Official Montreux Jazz Festival Website
