This brilliant little festival pays homage to the time-honoured tradition of busking. For three days in August the organisers invite musicians and street performers from all over the world to the Swiss capital to entertain crowds on the cobbled streets of the Old Town. As you’d expect, it’s all free to watch, though throwing a little something in the hat or guitar case is only polite, should you be suitably impressed. You can also show your support for the festival by buying a programme or festival wristband.
This year’s programme comprises around 300 performances from 40 bands, comics, acrobats and street-theatre artists from Switzerland and across Europe and beyond including the Middle East, US, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. We like the sound of Mongolian-Iranian quartet Sedaa. There’s a festive atmosphere in town, with food and drink stalls par for the course.