GENEVA – As Switzerland inches closer to lifting its semi-lockdown, the Federal Council decided to leave for now, the question of seasonal music gatherings to cantons and organisers. Minister of the Interior Alain Berset said events of over a thousand people could be problematic. It is no wonder then, that a number of popular summer concerts and events have been postponed or canceled  in attempt to curb and prevent new Covid-19 outbreaks.

Geneva events canceled so far

Fête de la Musique – Geneva’s largest music festival which usually takes place the third weekend of June has been cancelled. The three-day public gathering featuring hundreds of free concerts will (hopefully) resume in 2021. This year the festival would have seen its 29th edition.

Caves Ouvertes – The Geneva open cellars festival scheduled for 16 May has been canceled. No new date has been informed. Wine cellars continue to sell to the public,  many of them offering free delivery.

Other city-sponsored events that will most likely be canceled but for which no announcement has been made include the free music concerts musique en été and the Grand feux d’artifices, which is the largest fireworks display in Switzerland which is sponsored by the Geneva hotel industry. Plein-les-Watts reggae fest is still planning on holding its weekend event in August in Plan-les-Ouates.

Beyond Geneva

 Paléo Festival – The largest open air music event in Switzerland has cancelled its 2020 edition. The seven-day, seven-stage fete with its more than 300 concerts is scheduled to return in 2021. Organisers are trying to keep as much of the previously-announced lineup as possible. Purchased tickets remain valid for next year’s 45th edition.

 Montreux Jazz Festival – After initially planning on going ahead, the 54th edition of the iconic has now been officially canceled. This year’s event will now take place from 2 to 17 July 2021. The MJF has made a series of its archives available for viewing/listening during the quarantine. Access them now here.

Caribana Festival – After the Federal Council’s ambiguous answer, the self-proclaimed “largest of the small” festivals  is still considering whether or not to go ahead with the festival in its current form. The concerts take place in Crans sur Nyon, canton Vaud.

Guitare-en-scène – The mostly rock and blues festival in neighbouring Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in neighboring France has been canceled. While the announcement is still not posted on their website, newspaper Le Dauphiné made the announcement this weekend. Deep Purple was scheduled to headline.

Montjoux Festival – The Francophone music fest by the lake held in Thonon-les-bains, on the French side of Lake Geneva has been canceled. Money is being reimbursed to those who have bought tickets.

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