Lausanne is a glorious place to explore in any season, but summer is a particularly great time of year to visit, thanks to the city’s packed events calendar. These warmer months see a huge range of cultural gatherings and sporting competitions appearing all around Lausanne, including plenty of outdoor events and activities to fully utilise those sweeter temperatures.
Whether you’re looking for live music to dance to, museums and galleries to wander, or world-class sporting events to cheer at, Lausanne’s summer schedule has got you covered. Here are some of the upcoming highlights.
Béjart Ballet Lausanne
Get your finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary dance at Lausanne’s esteemed ballet company, Béjart Ballet Lausanne. One of the current highlights is a performance of ‘The Other Song of Dance’, a piece composed by Japanese choreographer Yuka Oishi, inspired by her reading of the work of French dancer Maurice Béjart. It promises to be a powerful, expressive and meticulously executed show.
Jun 16-21
Fête de la Musique
Watch Lausanne transform as its streets, parks, churches and bars become live music venues for the day as part of Fête de la Musique. This much-loved city-wide festival sees musicians and bands of all genres set up shop in unique and historical buildings and spaces, so it’s no wonder that more than 40,000 people flock to the event every year.
Jun 21
Athletissima
On your marks, get set, GO… to a showcase of top-class athletics, where some of the best in the world compete for glory in the huge Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. Taking place annually, Athletissima has become a key date on the global athletics calendar, attracting around 15,000 spectators. A range of track and field events test athletes to the full, including long jump, javelin, shot put and track races from sprints to long distance. Cheer on the Swiss team or just go and soak up the atmosphere, either way it’s a great day out.
Jun 29-30
Festival de la Cité
Contemporary theatre performance, gigs from upcoming underground bands, cutting-edge DJ sets, circus shows full of dizzying aerial manoeuvres, forest walks, shows blending dance and ventriloquism – Festival de la Cité has it all, and a little bit more besides. This five-day event boasts an innovative programme that celebrates arts and culture plucked from all corners. As a result there’s something for everyone, whether you’re heading in with the kids or arriving with friends and ready to party.
Jul 4-9
Ladies’ Open Lausanne
For both dedicated tennis obsessives and casual fans, a chance to see some of the world’s best players in action is not to be passed up. This historic event has roots dating all the way back to 1899, but its current form and title were launched in 2019. The 2022 edition saw players ranked within the world’s top ten battle it out on court, all set on the shore of Lake Geneva, and the 2023 edition promises to be another ace tournament.
Jul 24-30
Triathlon of Lausanne
Why be great at just one sport when you can excel in three? This is very much the vibe of Lausanne’s hugely popular annual triathlon, always a highlight for competitors and spectators alike. Launched in 1994 by three friends in the Lausanne Police Sports Club, the event has grown and grown over the decades, and now attracts international athletes alongside strong Swiss representation. The triathlon follows Olympic distances: 1.5km swimming, 40km cycling, 10km running, held in the lakeside neighbourhood of Ouchy to make it a particularly picturesque battle for all involved.
Aug 26-27
La Nuit des Musées
Night owls and culture vultures, this one’s for both of you. The 22nd edition of The Night of the Museums in Lausanne and Pully lands – as always – on the third Saturday of September. A total of 26 galleries, museums and other cultural institutions will open their doors to the public throughout the night – and the daytime, too, for those who prefer to exhibition-hop by daylight. Running from 2pm-2am, the event brings together thousands of people from the two regions and beyond, and features exciting events and performances linking-in with the after-dark opening hours.
Sep 23