Stand by for the Vevey Winegrowers Festival

From 18 July to 11 August, the 2019 Winegrowers Festival will transform the city of Vevey into a festival of culture and fine dining, making it Switzerland's summer capital

Just a few weeks to go before the launch of the Vevey Winegrowers Festival on 18 July! The Grande Place of this city on the shore of Lake Geneva is already host to the astounding 20,000-seat arena built for the event. Until 11 August, it will stage ten daytime performances (at 11 am) and ten evening performances (9 pm) of the extraordinary show devised by Daniele Finzi Pasca and his team of artists for the 5,500 costumed extras including almost 1,000 singers and musicians. This unforgettable mix of tradition, poetry and technological prowess has been staged once in a generation since 1797 as a tribute to the vineyard labourers and the vine itself, the show's true heroes.

Aside from the show as such – for which rehearsals have been in full swing for a year – the Winegrowers Festival invites the local population as well as visitors to enjoy a full-scale gala of culture and fine dining from morning to night. An extensive and welcoming pedestrian zone is reserved for the various stages and catering outlets.

Vevey will also become Switzerland's summer capital: 20 Cantonal Days and Guest of Honour Days are scheduled throughout the Festival. Each canton sends an official delegation to represent its wines, culture and music on stage, in processions and in the city's streets. Several stages will be set up for performances by musical or theatre groups and DJs: visitors can choose from a wide variety as they stroll around town. Daily entertainment for youngsters is scheduled. A total of 1,000 different performances will be on offer during the city's festival! The full entertainment programme will be posted on the Festival website on 15 June.

Cultural festivities will be flanked by gourmet pleasures: Vevey's squares and lakeside promenades will host a hundred restaurants catering to every taste. The focus will be on local and Swiss products. Fifty cellars will open their doors in the city. The chef of La Table d’Edgard at the Hotel Lausanne Palace will turn historic Aile Castle into a gourmet venue: Le Pavillon du Lac.

The city's museums – the Swiss Camera Museum, Jenisch Museum, Historical Museum and Brotherhood of Winegrowers Museum – have been inspired by the celebrations to exhibit rare archives, forgotten treasures and private collections that reflect the theme of the Winegrowers Festival.

The Winegrowers Festival takes place at Vevey from 18 July to 11 August. The performance on 20 July and the event for the general public on 17 July are full. Places in all price categories (CHF 79 to 299) are still available for the other performances. Premium packages including a personalised welcome and gifts are available at CHF 359.