Paléo Festival 2026 takes place from 21 to 26 July in Nyon, Switzerland, on the Plaine de l’Asse. 49th edition: 103 artists from 30 countries, including Katy Perry (Switzerland-only date), The Cure, Gorillaz and Twenty One Pilots. 210,000 tickets sold in 19 minutes on 25 March 2026. Day tickets from CHF 89–99, 6-day pass at CHF 465. Getting there: SBB/CFF train from Geneva (17 min) then free NStCM shuttle to the Plaine de l’Asse with a valid Paléo ticket.
For nearly fifty years, the Plaine de l’Asse has transformed each summer into Switzerland’s music capital. Paléo Festival Nyon is no ordinary event — founded in 1976 by a group of students in a village hall, it’s grown into Switzerland’s largest open-air festival, and on 14 January 2026 in Groningen it was crowned Best Major European Festival 2025 by Yourope, voted by 300,000 Europeans and selected by a professional jury from ten finalists.
This 49th edition, running 21 to 26 July 2026, brings a programme of exceptional density. Katy Perry delivers Switzerland’s only date of her Lifetimes Tour (Saturday 25th, tickets gone in two minutes), The Cure returns to the Grande Scène for the fifth time since 1985, Gorillaz brings The Mountain Tour with Damon Albarn, and Orelsan is back after four years away. One figure tops it all: 55% of billed artists are women — an absolute record in 49 years of Paléo history.
The 210,000 tickets released on 25 March 2026 sold out in 19 minutes. With Glastonbury on its 2026 fallow year — the land-recovery break that won’t end until 2027 — Paléo has stepped up as Europe’s flagship summer festival. Whether you scored a ticket or are hunting one last-minute, this guide covers the full programme, the Nordic Village du Monde, camping, flights from London, prices and the eco highlights of this edition.
1. 2026 Programme: six nights of world headliners and fresh discoveries
Day-by-day programme for the 49th edition
According to the official Paléo 2026 programme, each evening on the Grande Scène delivers on its promise. Tuesday 21 July: Twenty One Pilots open the week with their rock-pop-rap energy (first Paléo appearance since 2019), while Lorde reigns over the Véga with her Ultrasound World Tour. Wednesday 22: the night belongs to The Cure — Robert Smith takes the Grande Scène for the fifth time since 1985. Thursday 23: Gorillaz bring The Mountain Tour’s world-music influences, while the Belleville stage ignites with AMELIE LENS. Friday 24 is the Francophone night: Orelsan headlines the Grande Scène, Julien Clerc and Keny Arkana on the Véga. Saturday 25 is Katy Perry‘s night — Switzerland’s only date of The Lifetimes Tour, with Vanessa Paradis opening the Véga. Sunday 26 closes with Gims, an open-air version of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana by Ensemble Utopie, and a breathtaking 1,200-drone show by Groupe F at 11:15 pm.
Beyond the headliners, 103 artists from 30 countries spread across eight stages: the Grande Scène (35,000 capacity), the Véga (20,000), Belleville for electronic music (5,000), le Dôme (3,500), the Club Tent (2,500), La Ruche for street arts, the Village du Monde and l’Espace Club. According to the festival, 83 of those artists take the Plaine de l’Asse stage for the very first time, and 16 are Swiss — the strongest domestic representation in recent years. For UK festivalgoers looking for an alternative this summer, Paléo is the natural choice — and its European peers have confirmed it.
2026 programme highlights
- 55% female artists: an absolute record in Paléo’s 49-year history
- Katy Perry — Switzerland’s only Lifetimes Tour date (Saturday 25 July, tickets gone in 2 minutes)
- The Cure for their 5th appearance in Nyon since 1985, plus Gorillaz and Lorde
- Closing show: 1,200 drones and open-air Carmina Burana (Sunday at 11:15 pm)
- 1,500 day tickets released every morning at 9:00 am on paleo.ch (virtual queue opens at 8:45 am)
To make the most of your trip, Geneva is just 17 minutes from Nyon by train — its medieval old town, iconic Jet d’Eau on Lake Geneva and legendary chocolate scene are well worth a full day before or after the concerts.
2. Village du Monde 2026: exploring the Nordic world without leaving Nyon
Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands: 7 countries to explore without leaving Nyon
Every year, Paléo’s Village du Monde invites a region of the world to set up camp on the Plaine de l’Asse. After the Maghreb in 2025 and the Balkans in 2024, it’s the Nordic countries in the spotlight for 2026: Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Seven countries and territories, 17 artists, and Nordic cuisine to discover — from grilled salmon to Swedish meatballs (köttbullar) and Danish open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød). According to the official Village du Monde programme, the Dôme stage adopts an unprecedented Scandinavian scenography on the Plaine de l’Asse, with artistic installations creating a Far North aesthetic.
Nordic artists not to miss: Ásgeir (Icelandic folk-pop), Eivør (Faroese voice between folk and electronica), SKÁLD (Viking folk), Trolska Polska (Scandinavian folk), Katarina Barruk (Sámi singer), Tuuletar (Finnish folk) and Witch Club Satan (Norwegian feminist black metal) — a musical journey from the Arctic to the Baltic. The festival marks 23 years of Village du Monde in 2026, each edition opening a window onto a different culture.
Nordic Village du Monde highlights
- 17 artists from 7 Nordic countries on the Dôme stage (3,500 capacity)
- Scandinavian cuisine: grilled salmon, köttbullar, smørrebrød, Icelandic specialities
- Nordic scenography: artistic installations inspired by the Far North
- Bars run by local Nyon associations (proceeds go directly back into the community)
3. Camping & accommodation: where to sleep during Paléo
From free camping to Pal’Asse glamping
The Plaine de l’Asse campsite is one of the festival’s most prized assets. Free for 6-day pass holders, it opens Monday 20 July at noon and accommodates around 9,000 festival-goers in a convivial atmosphere. Direct access to the site via a dedicated entrance, a bakery, paid showers (CHF 4), luggage storage and the free children’s crèche « La Luciole » (up to age 8). For those who prefer comfort, Pal’Asse by Lodg’ing offers lodges sleeping 2 to 6 with bedding included at around CHF 318 per night — in a shared lodge for 4, that works out to roughly CHF 477 per person for 6 nights. According to Lodg’ing, lodges include access to the Carte Explore (pools, museums in Nyon and the region, local transport).
| Accommodation option | 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pal’Asse campsite | Free (with pass) | ~9,000 spots, 20–27 July, showers CHF 4 |
| Glamping lodge (4 people) | ~CHF 318/night | Bedding, Wi-Fi, direct site access, Carte Explore |
| Motorhome with electricity | CHF 134/week | 5.5 m × 7 m pitch |
| Motorhome without electricity | CHF 64/week or CHF 34/day | Water available on site |
| Nyon 2–3 star hotel | CHF 80–150/night | Book well in advance — July fills fast |
| Nyon Airbnb | CHF 90–140/night | Availability very limited in July |
| Hotel in Geneva or Lausanne | CHF 80–200/night | Add ~CHF 10–15 for return transport each evening |
Getting there: always by train, never by car
- From London: fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) — around 2 hours from Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted — then 25 min by train to Nyon
- SBB/CFF train Geneva Cornavin → Nyon: 17 min, then free NStCM shuttle to the Plaine de l’Asse with a valid Paléo ticket
- Special night trains back to Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg and Montreux (running until 4:30 am)
- Driving is strongly discouraged: 3-hour parking queues reported on peak evenings
4. Environmental commitment: solar farm and green certification
Paléo 2026 inaugurates Switzerland’s first solar farm at a festival
The 2026 edition marks a concrete environmental turning point: the inauguration of a photovoltaic farm of 261 panels on rooftops adjacent to the Plaine de l’Asse. According to the festival’s official environmental policy, this installation produces over 100,000 kWh per year — roughly half the electrical needs of an entire edition. It’s a first in Switzerland for a festival. Surplus energy is redistributed to local residents, farmers and SMEs in the region, making Paléo the first Romandy festival with its own solar production.
These initiatives build on a long-standing sustainability drive: 100% renewable energy since 2006, 100% reusable tableware since 2022 (100,000 glasses washed each night by 300 mobilised volunteers), a 60% recycling rate, and 50% of festival-goers arriving by public transport (up from 27% in 2005). In January 2025, Paléo earned the A Greener Festival certification after a 12-month field audit of the 2024 edition — the first Romandy festival to achieve it. The stated goal for the 50th anniversary in 2027 is a 25% reduction in carbon emissions.
Environmental commitment in numbers
- 261 solar panels in 2026: 100,000 kWh/year, surplus redistributed to local residents and businesses
- 100% renewable energy since 2006 (certified local sources)
- 100% reusable tableware since 2022: glasses, plates and bowls Re-uz® with CHF 2–5 deposit
- 5,400 volunteers per edition, including recycling teams (60% recycling rate)
- A Greener Festival certification (January 2025) — Paléo is the first Romandy festival to hold it
5. Essential info: eSIM, travel insurance & flights from London
Switzerland is not in the EU — and post-Brexit, UK mobile plans often don’t include Swiss roaming either. Carriers like EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three may charge extra for data in Switzerland. An Airalo local eSIM protects you from bill shock while keeping your regular UK number active. Instant activation on arrival at Geneva Airport.
From a few pounds per weekLast-minute cancellation, lost luggage, medical assistance: comprehensive coverage tailored to festivals and short trips to Switzerland. Particularly useful if you’re holding a 6-day pass (CHF 465) or a day ticket (CHF 99) and something comes up unexpectedly. 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksGeneva Airport (GVA) is the natural gateway to Paléo: 25 minutes by train to Nyon after landing. Flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted take around 2 hours. Compare fares for the week of 21–26 July 2026 before prices climb closer to the festival.
Dynamic pricing: compare nowFrequently asked questions about Paléo Festival 2026
Is Paléo Festival 2026 sold out?
Yes, all 210,000 tickets sold out in 19 minutes on 25 March 2026. Several options remain: the official ticket exchange bourse.paleo.ch (face-value resale, controlled), 1,500 day tickets released each morning at 9:00 am on paleo.ch (virtual queue opens at 8:45 am), and any ticket returns announced on the festival’s social media channels. Avoid Viagogo and third-party platforms — no authenticity guarantee and scams are well documented.
What are the exact dates of Paléo Festival 2026?
Paléo Festival 2026 runs from Tuesday 21 July to Sunday 26 July 2026 on the Plaine de l’Asse, Route de St-Cergue 312, 1260 Nyon (canton of Vaud, Switzerland). This is the 49th edition. The campsite opens on Monday 20 July at noon. Each of the 6 evenings typically begins in the mid-afternoon and runs until around 3:00 am.
How much do Paléo Festival 2026 tickets cost?
The 6-day pass costs CHF 465 (reduced rate CHF 365 for 12–17-year-olds, students, jobseekers and retirees). Day tickets vary by evening: CHF 89 (reduced CHF 74) for Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday; CHF 99 (reduced CHF 84) for Wednesday (The Cure) and Saturday (Katy Perry). Under-12s enter free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Camping is included in the 6-day pass.
How do I get to Paléo Festival from London or the UK?
From London, fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) — around 2 hours from Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted with airlines including easyJet, British Airways and Swiss. From Geneva Airport, it’s 25 minutes by SBB/CFF train to Nyon. At Nyon station, the free NStCM shuttle drops you directly at the Plaine de l’Asse with a valid Paléo ticket. Alternatively, take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (2h20), then TGV to Geneva (3h) — a greener but longer option. Special night trains run back from Nyon to Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg and Montreux until 4:30 am. Driving from the UK is strongly discouraged: 3-hour parking queues are common on peak evenings.
Is there camping at Paléo Festival 2026?
Yes. The Pal’Asse campsite is free for 6-day pass holders, open 20 to 27 July 2026 and walkable from the festival site. Around 9,000 festival-goers stay there, with paid showers (CHF 4), the free La Luciole crèche (up to age 8), a bakery and a bar. For more comfort, Pal’Asse by Lodg’ing offers lodges sleeping 2 to 6 with bedding included at around CHF 318 per night. A motorhome area is also available (CHF 64 to CHF 134 per week).
Which artists are playing at Paléo Festival 2026?
The 2026 headliners are: Twenty One Pilots (Tuesday 21), The Cure (Wednesday 22), Gorillaz (Thursday 23), Orelsan (Friday 24), Katy Perry — Switzerland’s only date (Saturday 25) and Gims (Sunday 26). Other notable acts include: Lorde, Vanessa Paradis, Bob Sinclar, Zaz, The Last Dinner Party, The Young Gods, Morcheeba, Julien Clerc, Keny Arkana, Timmy Trumpet, and Nordic acts Ásgeir and Eivør for the Village du Monde, plus over 90 additional artists. 55% of the billed artists are women — an absolute record in Paléo’s history.
- Paléo Festival Nyon — official website: programme, tickets, accommodation, transport
- Paléo 2026 official line-up
- Paléo Festival: 49th edition overview and figures
- Paléo Festival: Village du Monde Nordic programme 2026
- Paléo Festival: official ticket exchange (face-value resale)
- Paléo Festival: official environmental policy
- NME: Why there won’t be Glastonbury in 2026
- Swissinfo.ch: English-language Swiss news
- Lodg’ing: Pal’Asse glamping 2026
- Wikipedia: Paléo Festival Nyon
Data verified 29 June 2026. Prices and programme subject to change.