Lugano, Southern Switzerland, July, summer sunshine, walks by the lake, relaxation, many fine restaurants, and in the warm evenings of July 4, 5 and 6, the great names of Jazz and World Music free in concert!

9 Open-Air Free Concerts

Here in the “Piazza della Riforma” Lugano’s famous seventeenth century square, the most wonderful evenings await, here in a square which cannot be equaled for charm or atmosphere. 

Summer in Southern Switzerland would now be unimaginable without “Estival”. With televised concerts live from the main stage and also the new very popular “off festival” performances in the nearby Piazza Manzoni.

Since 1979 hundreds of world famous artists and musicians have appeared at Estival Jazz Lugano:  from “Miles” to “Dizzy, from The Manhattan Transfer to B.B. King, from Keith Jarrett to Wynton Marsalis, Stan Getz, Paco De Lucia, Miriam Makeba, Herbie Hancock, Cesaria Evora, Max Roach, Gilberto Gil, Khaled, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, Yes, Jethro Tull, Al Jarreau, Rachelle Ferrell, Eric Burdon, Youssou N’Dour , Roger Hodgson, Joe Jackson, Solomon Burke, David Sanborn, La Notte della Taranta, Tower of Power, Hugh Masekela, Take 6, Arturo Sandoval, Sinead O’Connor, Art Garfunkel, Noa, Renzo Arbore, The Symphony Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana and many, many others (see ROLL OF HONOR)  who have contributed to the history of Jazz, World Music, Rhythm ‘n Blues, Latin and other styles.

Summertime in Southern Switzerland would now be unthinkable without the magical evenings of Estival and the cosmopolitan atmosphere it creates.

No tickets, no problems!

This year, as always, the concerts will be completely free of charge to the public. This quite extraordinary offer is now unique to Lugano and has made our Estival Jazz even more special. We are able to continue this long held tradition thanks to the many sponsors that have contributed so generously throughout these past 40 years and continue to do so.

Useful information

The Lugano Estival Jazz festival is an Open Air Free Festival therefore all concerts are free of charge. The main concerts will start at 8.45pm at the Piazza della Riforma venue. The opening concerts will start at 7.00pm at the Villaggio Estival venue in Piazza Manzoni. If you need medical help, please go 20 meters after the entrance of Via Nassa that starts at the end of the main stage of Piazza della Riforma. The ear swabs are available in the RSI Swiss Radio and TV area in Piazza Manzoni.

The history of summer in southern Switzerland would be unthinkable without the unique, magical evenings of its Estival and the cosmopolitan atmosphere it creates since 1979.
Come and join us!

The official programme can be found on the site www.estivaljazz.ch