9 Bernese Highlights in August

When the weather is this beautiful, there’s nothing better than spending the days outside. On 1 August 2023, everyone is invited to the garden party on the Parliament Square, to see all the amazing talent at the international street music festival Buskers or enjoy cinematic classics for free in the Kocherpark. Put on your Birkenstocks and off you go!

1 August on the Parliament Square

To celebrate Helvetia’s birthday, the sprightly lady will once again be treated to a colourful party on the Parliament Square. All day long, the area in front of the parliament will host a colourful garden party with concerts, a lantern parade, and a huge do-it-yourself barbecue. Additionally, food stalls will be offering up barbecue food for all tastes – when possible, locally and seasonally sourced. The parliament will also be opening its doors, and Bern Welcome will have free guided city tours in German, French and Italian on offer for the curious among you. Straight afterwards, the opening ceremony of the Climbing World Championship will be held at the same location. You can find more information in the following tips.

National Holiday on the Parliament Square

  • Tipp

    If you’re going to celebrate 1 August at one of the popular farm brunches, you’re bound to see some tempting maize fields. But of course, you shouldn’t just walk straight in! That’s what the corn maze in Laupen is for.

Climbing World Championship

As soon as the garden party is over, the opening ceremony for the Climbing World Championship will take place on the Parliament Square. The venue for all disciplines will be the PostFinance Arena, except for the Boulder qualifications which will be held in the curling hall next door. So, what exactly will be happening at this World Championship? You will see Boulder, Lead, Speed and the new Olympic discipline Boulder and Lead. Our tip: open up YouTube and search for «Speed Climbing» – it’s amazing to watch. Additionally, the free «Village of Experiences» gives you an introduction into the world of climbing, meaning you can take part in awareness-raising activities, challenges, live acts, information events and much more.

Buy a ticket

«Nutrition and Sport» in the Swiss Alpine Museum

You’ve barely recovered from climbing fever and you’re already surfing on a new sports wave: on 24 August 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – thematically perfectly fitting – the Swiss Alpine Museum will open its new exhibition «Nutrition and Sport» where questions such as «Is it more important to drink or eat on tours?» or «What to keep in mind when it comes to vegetarian nutrition and mountain sports?» will be discussed. Experts will introduce you to the world of nutrition and sport, talk about their practical experience and answer questions from the audience. And it gets even better: if you went to the Climbing World Championship, you can use your ticket to visit the museum for free.

More information on the exhibition

AERO Festival

«Ladies and Gentlemen and everybody beyond, welcome on board.» Is your hand luggage safely stowed away and your seat belt fastened? Because this airplane is taking off towards openair dancing. On 19 August 2023, the Aero Festival will take place on the new Airport Bern (Airport Belp) and treat its visitors to the best of techno. The line-up spans from Gheist to Animal Trainer and promises amazing things for this new one-day festival. While you enjoy the international artists, you can order refreshing drinks from three different bars, food from various regional food trucks and even visit the glitter stand to get the right vibes.

Get your tickets now

Elfenau – a cultural summer

The Elfenau park + summer + culture = symbiosis. From 17 August to 3 September 2023, this fairytale place in walking distance of the sparkling Aare will transform into a fabulous festival venue. There are so many things to marvel at: dance, theatre or readings, classical or jazz music, waltz or breakdance, drama or comedy. The motto is «music for everybody», meaning admission is free and the artists will receive all of the money collected. This way, you’ll have a little extra coin in your wallet to order a refreshing drink made from local ingredients at the bar. The perfect event for a summer evening with your grandparents.

More information

Summer party in the Museum Quarter

The Museum Quarter is known for its diversity and liveliness. So, what could be more fitting than celebrating the summer in this charming place? On 25 August 2023 the association is inviting you to join them on the open field between the Bern Historical Museum and the Museum of Communication, starting from 5:00 p.m. There will be flea market stalls, a carousel, a wheel of fortune, various children’s games, culinary delicacies, and many other attractions – just about everything a fair has to offer. And if it’s too hot for you outside, you can cool down inside: every Saturday in August, admission to the museum is free.

Off to the Museum Quarter

Kino in the Kocher

Simply wonderful: a mild summer night, a picnic on the lawn and a movie with a happy ending – that’s what the cinema in the Kocherpark promises. From 9 to 19 August 2023, you can enjoy the free openair cinema, collection welcome. You only have to bring your favourite people, snacks and a woollen blanket (just in case it gets a bit chilly after the sun sets). You’re also welcome to show up before the movie starts if you don’t want to go home after work and enjoy some delicious food for dinner: homemade pasta in the first week and gyros or halloumi in the second week. So, take a look at your calendar and make sure to keep the right evenings open.

Take a look at the programme

Buskers

August is – and has been for 20 years – Buskers’ time! From 10 to 12 August 2023, there won’t be a single untouched spot in the UNESCO-listed old town. Troubadours and artists from all over the world will be giving their best performances wherever you look, captivating the audience with music, fire, magic, and other virtuosities. The festival is free, but it’s a matter of honour to buy the festival bracelet (for example, at the Tourist information at the main station Bern) which comes with a useful programme booklet, so you don’t miss a single one of these exciting acts.

Buy your bracelet online

Street spectacle in Wangen

Not only Bern’s old town will get turned upside down: in Wangen an der Aare, on 13 August 2023, people will also come together to marvel and celebrate, turning the entire town into a venue for street art. There are no festival bracelets, so you can throw your contribution directly into the artist’s hat. Walking around clapping and cheering all day will surely make your stomach grumble, so take advantage of the food stands serving up foreign specialities and the local restaurants offering their delicious food. All you have to do now is withdrawing some cash for the artists and informing your loved ones of the dates.

To the street spectacle

  • Tipp

    There are many more events happening in Bern. Take a look at our event calendar.

All these events make thirsty

The coolest pop-up bars in Bern

Go and taste now