Events & festivals Summer 2012
There are hundreds of events and festivals planned in and around our resorts during the summer months. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone from classical concerts, world-class jazz events and inspiring opera to open-air theatre, celebrity-studded film festivals and boating regattas.
Italy
Stresa Festival, Lake Maggiore, May-September 2012
Stresa is at the heart of musical events on the lake. As well as a full calendar of classical and jazz music concerts during the Stresa Festival, there are many more concerts and events taking place around the lake at various venues. Visitors will enjoy free concerts every Monday and Friday throughout May, June, July and September.
90th Opera festival Verona Arena, 22 June – 2 September 2012
Performances are held in the ancient open-air Roman amphitheatre, Arena di Verona that can hold 15,000 people, seated on the large stone steps or reserved iron-backed chairs. The festival includes extravagant and emotional performances of Don Giovanni, Aida, Carmen, Romeo & Juliet, Turandot and Tosca before ending on the 2nd September. The informal nature of this historic venue means bringing a blanket or picnic is an ideal accompaniment to the visual feat.
Venice International Film Festival, August / September 2012
The Venice International Film Festival is an annual event organised by La Biennale di Venezia and held at Venice Lido. Second only to Cannes, you can take a boat to the Lido for a glimpse of the action and some celebrity spotting.
Bardolino Wine Festival, 4 - 8 October 2012
Set on the scenic shores of Lake Garda, you can enjoy wine tasting, concerts and fireworks-a-plenty alongside some great food. This free open-air festival usually sees 4,000 visitors every year tasting the fruity red, which comprises of four grape varieties. The Festa dell'Uva is held annually to mark the maturity and distribution of the locally produced wine.
Austria
Vienna Music Film Festival, 30 June - 2 September 2012
Set against the backdrop of the imposing illuminated City Hall, this festival celebrates opera, operetta, dance and concert performances.
Kitzbühel Triathlon, August 2012
Every summer, athletes head for the Kitzbühel Triathlon. Elite men and women battle it out, with a combined prize fund of US$100,000 up for grabs. All they have to do is a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run!
Salzburger Festspiele, August 2012
First held in 1920, the Salzburg Festival is one of the cultural highlights of the year. Alongside the regular residency of the Vienna Philharmonic, musicians and ensembles of the highest calibre fill this beautiful Alpine city with music and drama
Vienna
Weiner Wiesn Festival 23 September - 2 October 2012
Tents are pitched on the Kaiserweise in Prater Park where you can enjoy Austrian beer and sample some local food and wines. There is live music throughout the 10 day festival with folk music, international artists, locals in traditional dress and brass bands.
Slovenia
Festival Ljubljana, 1 July – 31 August 2012
The 60th Summer festival in Ljubljana will see over 30,000 artists from 30 countries performing throughout the summer months. There will be everything from classical orchestras to traditional folk music, pianist performances to brass bands and ballets to musicals.
International Wild Flower Festival, Lake Bohinj, 19 May - 2 June 2012
This unique festival offers botanical and ornithological excursions around the Bohinj area, hosted by experts. There are workshops for adults and children and a market offering local craft and culinary specialities from the area.
Switzerland
Sechselauten, Zurich, 21-23 April 2012
This festival marks the dawning of spring and is characterised by lively parades in historical costumes and the burning of a giant snowman!
Zurich Festival, 15 June - 8 July 2012
Listen to the music of famous composers held at various open-air venues across the city.
Montreux Jazz Festival, 29 June - 14 July 2012
More than 300 artists and bands perform jazz, blues, rock and soul at this world-famous annual event.
Lausanne City Festival, early July 2012
Music, comedy, dance and spoken word events are held throughout the city's many venues when this festival comes to town.
Vevey Markets, July - August 2012
Every Saturday, Vevey hosts a vibrant summer market brimming with stalls selling traditional local produce alongside folk singers and musicians who add to the lively atmosphere.
Lucerne Summer Festival 9 - 15 August 2012
Leading orchestras from around the world gather to play in Lucerne's Concert Hall set against a backdrop of imposing mountains and the spectacular lake views. Aside from the evening ticketed performances there are plenty of free events in the day too.
Fetes de Geneve, Geneva, late July-early August 2012
One of the biggest events in Switzerland with live music, boat races and colourful street parades. It's worth heading to Geneva for a short break or stopover en route to your resort to take in this vibrant event.