Okay, babes. If you’re an expat in Geneva and haven’t heard about the Montreux Jazz Festival, first of all—where have you been hiding?! This is not just any music festival. This is Switzerland’s crown jewel of summer vibes, lakefront magic, and swoon-worthy music moments. 💅🎤
Let me spill the tea (or maybe wine/prosecco? 🍷) on everything you need to know to do Montreux right this July 2025. Trust me, you’re gonna want to clear your calendar. 👀
🎷 What’s the Hype?
It started back in 1967 (iconic) and now it’s basically a pilgrimage site for music lovers across the world. While it started with jazz, the lineup now is a full-on global playlist—from soul and funk to indie pop and afrobeat. Yes, you can catch Diana Ross and Shaboozey in the same weekend.
Dates this year? 4–19 JULY, 2025 — mark it!
🎤 The Line‑Up
Legendary Lake Stage w/ star power:
You may find more info on their official website here.
💃 Why This Year’s Edition is 🔥
- All‑star legends plus next‑gen thunder — it’s rare to see Chaka Khan sharing the stage vibes with FKA Twigs or Benson Boone. The festival’s mid‑career balancing act? Chef’s kiss.
- Premières en Suisse! FKA Twigs, J Balvin, Pulp—they’re hitting Montreux for the first time ever. A total bucket‑list moment.
- Genre‑blending brilliance: soul, jazz, Latin, reggaeton, folk, electronic—you’ll never get bored.
🚄 Getting There from Geneva
You don’t need a car. Actually, skip it (trust me – parking is a nightmare). The train ride is 1½ hrs from Geneva from Montreux by SBB— pro tip: grab a flexible Saver Day Pass or buy ahead so you’re not scrambling.
** For more expat tips, read our guide to: Navigating Geneva’s Public Transport: Tips and Passes
💡 Local Tips (Because We’re Smart Like That)
- Mix It Up With Free Shows: Not everything’s ticketed. The Montreux waterfront has FREE stages with seriously good music and pop-up dance vibes. Bring a blanket, grab a drink, and enjoy. 💸🎶
- Foodie Heaven: Walk along the lake and you’ll find stalls with raclette, international eats, vegan wraps, and dreamy gelato. But if you’re feeling bougie, book a lakefront table at Montreux Jazz Café—it’s a vibe.
- Stay comfy-chic: Flowy sundress by day, cute denim sweater by lake breeze night. Sneakers FTW.
- Queen (The Studio Experience): While you’re at it, why not step into the exact rooms where Queen recorded between 1978 and 1995? There are real gems: handwritten lyrics, Mercury’s last vocal plaque, stage costumes, and more. The control room has a working mixer panel replica: you can actually hear hits like “Mother Love” in surround sound — it’ll give you goosebumps!
- Plan Your Late Train Home: Trains run late, but they do get packed. If you’re more of a night owl, maybe plan to crash overnight in Montreux or Vevey (Airbnb that ish early, girl).
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Because it’s not just music—it’s an experience. Picture this: lake breeze in your hair, glass of chilled rosé in hand, friends laughing, and music floating over the water as the sun dips behind the Alps. It’s the kind of magic we moved to Switzerland for, right?
Here’s some pictures from last year’s Montreux Jazz Festival 2024…
Playing on stage are The Smashing Pumpkins (2024).
For the record, I really suck at taking pictures at events (totally not meant to be an influencer) as I like to “be in the moment” but also maybe because I am busy chasing after my child, so here’s a picture of my dog, Oslo, in Montreux along the lake to really sell this view!
Catch you on the lakeside, love 💕
xoxo,
Diana
Leave a comment