Arosa Comedy Festival
December 3-13; Arosa (Canton of Graubünden)
One of the country’s biggest comedy and cabaret festivals over the past 23 years, the event provides spectators 11 days of snow and fun at an altitude of 2,000m and attracts the big names of the Swiss-German comedy and cabaret scene. Artists perform on a stage in a marquee set on the mountain top next to the Tschuggenhütte.
Humorfestival.ch
International Balloon Festival
January 23-31; Château-d’OEx, Canton of Vaud
Initiated in 1979, the annual event is a meeting place of balloon pilots from more than 20 countries. The resort’s blue skies are filled with multihued hot air balloons and their burners illuminate a spectacular night-time display.
Festivaldeballons.ch
Ski World Cup
March 16-20; St. Moritz
The 50th FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season — the top international circuit of alpine skiing competitions, launched in 1966 — will begin on Saturday in Solden, Austria, with the finals scheduled for next year in St. Moritz in Engadin, Switzerland.
Skiworldcup.stmoritz.ch
Art Basel
June 16-19; Basel
The world’s largest modern art show encompasses a wide range of artistic mediums, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, installations, film and videos, prints, photography and live performances. The annual show welcomes thousands to a celebration of modern works.
Artbasel.com
Montreux Jazz Festival
July 1-16; Montreux, Canton Vaud
The world’s second-largest annual jazz festival, this Montreux event was first held in 1967. Today it presents artists of nearly every imaginable music style. Expect some of the biggest international names.
Montreuxjazzfestival.com
Locarno International Film Festival
August 3-13; Locarno, Canton of Ticino
One of the major international film festivals and home to the Golden Leopard, the heart and showcase of the annual event is the Piazza Grande. It can accommodate more than 8,000 people.
Pardolive.ch
Lucerne Festival
August 12-Sept. 11; Lucerne
The programme offers a broad spectrum ranging from Mozart to the Modernists, and from early music to avant-garde experimentation. Over the years it has attracted the musical crème de la crème of orchestras and conductors, soloists and ensembles. It also has a vibrant street music festival element.
Lucernefestival.ch
