Info
Tickets
Stay tuned – presale info coming soon!
You can find the general terms and conditions of Gurtenfestival AG here.
Area
Wednesday
Site opens: 2:00 PM | Concert starts: 3:00 PM
Wristband exchange: 11:00 AM to 1:30 AM
Wristband exchange Waldbühne: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Thursday / Friday / Saturday
Site opens: 12:00 PM | Concert starts: 2:00 PM
Wristband exchange: 11:00 AM to 2:30 AM
Wristband exchange Waldbühne: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Festival ends: Sunday, July 20, 5:00 AM | Site closure: Sunday, July 20, 6:00 AM
- Site closure daily at 6.00 AM. All visitors must have left the site by then. Overnight stays are not permitted on the site.
Whether valuables or replacement clothing: Rent a locker for the things that are important to you. Mechanical lockers cost CHF 2.00 per opening. You can reserve digital lockers here at a later time. Lockers are available in the tent stage area and in Foody. You can get 2-franc coins for the lockers at the Info Point in the Festival Store. The lockers are accessible during opening hours and are not staffed.
Contact:
schlüssfach.ch GmbH
Tel. 079 120 14 44
info@schluessfach.com
Lost items can be collected after the festival at the lost and found office of the municipality of Köniz. Since all lost items must first be sorted and entered into the system after the festival, this will take a few days. Starting Thursday, July 24, 2025, you can search for lost items at www.easyfind.ch or inquire by phone at 031 970 95 15. The lost and found office is located at Sägestrasse 42 in 3098 Köniz.
Lost property can be handed in or collected at the Info Point (in the Festival Store). If you are not at the festival every day, you can contact the Festival Hotline during the festival. Children who have lost their parents will also be looked after here and their parents will be called out by the festival speakers on all stages.
After the festival, the lost and found office of the municipality of Köniz is responsible. As all lost property must first be sorted and entered into the system after the festival, it takes a few days. From Thursday, July 24, 2025, you can search for lost items at www.easyfind.ch or call 031 970 95 15 to inquire about them. The lost and found office is located at Sägestrasse 42 in 3098 Köniz.
Arrival and departure
The free bicycle parking spaces are located on Kirchstrasse and at Morillon School. The motorcycle parking lot is also located at Morillon School. The parking spaces are signposted. Please only park vehicles in marked spaces. The parking lot can be used until Monday night at 01:00 AM; after that, any unclaimed bicycles and motorcycles will be removed.
Comfort Zone
A variety of bars, lounges and dining areas, as well as a spacious, secluded garden, invite you to sit back and enjoy lively conversation in a relaxed environment. In addition, the covered grandstand with unobstructed views of the main stage, private toilets and lockers make this an oasis of wellbeing. Whether it’s a takeaway meal, a coffee in the shade or a drink in the sun, we’ve got you covered. The menus offer a wide variety of local delicacies. When you need a breather, sink into the cosy cushions, grab a sofa upstairs or curl up at a garden table under the trees. For faster ascents and descents, the Comfort Zone wristband gives you access to separate entrances at the valley and mountain stations of the Gurtenbahn. Enter the Comfort Zone at the top station through a separate entrance on the right. If you have any questions, please contact comfort@gurtenfestival.ch.
You have access to a separate and faster Comfort Zone entrance at both the valley and mountain stations of the Gurtenbahn. For the first ascent upon arrival, the ticket is valid on the day of its purchase—please have your ticket ready as a PDF on your phone or printed on paper.
For more information, please check the Arrival section.
Cashless
The Gurtenfestival 2025 is Cashless. Every person gets a Cashless Card with the festival wristband. This must be registered once. Afterwards, the card can be topped up at any time and the account balance and bookings can be called up. You have access to your account at anytime via:
After the end of the festival the remaining balance will be refunded automatically. This transfer will be made to the account last used when loading the card. The card can be disposed of in all common plastic collections.
You don’t have to do anything before arriving at the festival!
You get your individual Cashless Card when you exchange your wristband on site. Afterwards you can register online and easily top up your card at any time and check your account balance. After the end of the festival your remaining balance will be refunded automatically. This transfer will be made to the last account used for the top-up.
Yes, the entire festival operates on a cashless system. All food and beverage stands, bars, boulevard and partner stands as well as the Festival Store etc. only accept the Cashless Card as a means of payment. Cash payments are not possible under any circumstances.
Exceptions/Specials: Cash can be used for the use of the lockers (CHF 2.00 per lock) – however, they can also be booked digitally. The festival parking lot can be paid with all major cards (CHF 50.00), but not with the Cashless Card. The Comfort Zone area is cashfree, i.e. no cash is accepted there, but all common card payments and of course the Cashless Card.
The card from last year is no longer valid. You will get a new card in any case when you exchange your wristband. If you have created an account in 2024, you can register again via cashless.gurtenfestival.ch. The card from 2024 can be disposed of at a plastic collection point.
You get your Cashless Card when you exchange your wristband. You don’t have to do anything in advance.
No, you get your Cashless Card for free. The card can be disposed of after the festival in all common plastic collections.
- Scan the QR code on your card or open cashless.gurtenfestival.ch
- Click on “Load card”.
- Register yourself.
- Enter your tag number. It is printed on the Cashless Card in the white bar.
- Select the amount you want to load on your Cashless Card. You can also enter an allowance.
- Select the payment method you want to use for the transaction.
- Complete the external payment process.
- Your Cashless Card is loaded & you can now use it to pay anywhere on the festival grounds.
- Take a picture of your card so that you know your tag number in case of loss – safe is safe.
- Now you can check your balance, see the last bookings at any time and recharge your card.
- If you have any questions, you can find our FAQ on our homepage under “Info / Cashless”. You can also contact cashless@gurtenfestival.ch or visit the Help Desk Cashless next to the main entrance. The remaining credit will be automatically transferred back to your last payment account after the festival until July 25, 2025.
Yes, you can load a maximum of CHF 500.- onto the Cashless Card. The Cashless Card can be topped up to this maximum amount at any time. The minimum amount per top-up is CHF 30.-.
A new feature now available to you is Auto Top-up: When this function is activated, your card will automatically be topped up with a freely selectable amount as soon as your balance falls below a set threshold.
You can load the Cashless Card with Swiss francs.
No. You can view your bookings at any time under “Activities”, but receipts cannot be issued.
Most likely, there was a typo in your email address when you registered. Go to the Help Desk Cashless at the main entrance, the team on site can help you.
Recharging and managing the Cashless Card is basically done digitally only. If you do not have a smartphone or internet, you have the following options:
- Have your Cashless Card topped up by a friend. Several wallets, i.e. several cards, can be managed per account. This can be done with your payment method (all common cards, Twint etc.), so that the credit is automatically refunded to your account.
- Go to the Help Desk Cashless at the main entrance. They will help you.
- Report to the Help Desk Cashless at the main entrance.
- There you will get a new Cashless Card by showing your ID (fee 5.-). The remaining amount on your lost card will be transferred to the new card.
Contactless – hold the card to the device, done!
Can I leave a tip?
No. For the payment process you only need a Cashless Card with loaded credit.
Yes, of course, if the dishes are returned correctly, the deposit will be credited back to your Cashless Card. You can also donate the deposit, this year for Glücksbringer.
No, that is not possible. However, your remaining credit will be refunded to you automatically.
You don’t have to do anything. Your remaining balance will be automatically refunded to the last payment account you used by the end of July. If you have loaded your Cashless Card with a credit card or with your Postfinance card, it is possible that the remaining amount will only be displayed or credited with your monthly statement. By the end of July at the latest, you will see the chargeback for all payment methods.
If something didn’t work out, feel free to contact us at cashless@gurtenfestival.ch.
The cards cannot be reused, but you can easily dispose of them in plastic collection points.
If you have any questions or problems, you can always send an email to cashless@gurtenfestival.ch. At the festival you can report to the Help Desk Cashless at the main entrance.
Safety
ALWAYS COMPLY WITH ANY LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF THE SECURITY STAFF
- In case of an evacuation of buildings and tents, please move into open terrain, keeping clear of structures, trees, and other possible dangers. Please do not hike to the valley as the footpath passes through a forest.
- Please share any official information – keep your friends up to date.
- If required, help those in need while maintaining your own personal safety.
- Note the evacuation zones on the Safety & Security map
Dear visitors
We want to prevent incidents of sexism, racism, queerophobia, violence or other forms of discrimination from occurring at the Gurtenfestival. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and want everyone to feel safe and comfortable here. In order to make our festival as discrimination-sensitive as possible and to counteract power structures, we ask you to adhere to a few non-negotiable principles. If you experience discrimination, violence or racism yourself or if you observe such a scene, please do not hesitate to seek help from us. Report to the security or stage pit staff or the care team and / or stop by the first aid centre! You can reach the care team directly via WhatsApp (+41 31 386 10 90), only active during the festival days. The festival management via telephone (031 386 10 10) or email (info@gurtenfestival.ch).
The sale and distribution of alcohol to children and young people under the age of 16 is prohibited. The consumption of spirits or drinks with spirits (mixed drinks) by young people under the age of 18 is prohibited by law. The age check (+16/+18) is already carried out when the wristband is exchanged and the corresponding age is made visible on the wristband.
We recommend coming to the festival with children at quieter times, when large crowds are not expected and people can move away from the stages at any time. Children under the age of 6 should generally not be brought into crowds. Children should not be carried on shoulders through large crowds. It should be discussed in advance with children over the age of 12 how they should behave. It is generally important never to walk with children in the middle of a crowd. At entrances and exits, we recommend moving in front of or behind the crowd.
Loudness
Children are not yet able to judge when it is too loud for them. Therefore, please keep a sufficient distance from the loudspeakers and protect your children’s hearing with hearing protection (available in the Festival Store next to the main stage).
Meeting point
Agree a meeting point with your child where you can find each other in an emergency. Free stickers are available in the Festival Store to label your child with their telephone number.
Gurtenbahn
To avoid the long waiting times for the Gurtenbahn, it is advisable not to arrive with your child at peak times (not between 16.00 and 20.00).
We are happy to welcome all young guests at the festival. However, we ask parents or accompanying adults to always put the needs of the children first. If it gets too much for the children, it is advisable to go home if necessary.
Tickets for children must now be ordered by email (ticketing@gurtenfestival.ch) and are free of charge. Please include the order number(s) of your ticket(s). A maximum of two child tickets can be issued per ticket/person.
In case of emergency – especially during the festival – please call the festival helpline. Emergencies only, please! The helpline is available from Tuesday, 15th July, 11:00 noon, until Sunday 20th July 2025, 4:00 p.m.
+41 31 386 10 10
As at most other festivals, crowdsurfing is also prohibited at the Gurtenfestival, as it has repeatedly led to injuries in the past.
We recommend taking as few valuables as possible to the festival. It is best to always carry valuables on you or deposit them in a locker. Lockers cost CHF 2.00 per opening, are not attended and are available in the Foody and at the tent stage area. No liability is accepted for stolen or lost items. 2 CHF can be exchanged at the Info Point in the Festival Store.
The Gurtenfestival observes a maximum sound level of 100 dB(A) which is the maximum level permissible by law. Please be aware that this sound level may cause hearing damage. Ear plugs are available at the Info Point in the Festival Store and at all bars.
Sun, partying and alcohol can lead to dehydration of the body. It is therefore all the more important to drink non-alcoholic drinks or water regularly. There are several water points (free of charge) at all toilet facilities.
Sustainability
Our Goal:
The ecological footprint of our visitors should be the same or even smaller during the festival than in their everyday life. Our ambition is to host a music and cultural event without consuming more resources than on a regular day – so that, from a sustainability perspective, it makes no difference whether the festival takes place or not.
We live, evaluate, and implement sustainability based on a three-pillar principle:
- Ecological sustainability
- Social sustainability
- Economic sustainability
To achieve our goal, the Gurtenfestival has been relying on various measures listed below for many years.
Waste per guest amounts to only 1 kg – including setup and takedown.
For comparison: the Swiss daily average is 1.9 kg.Waste separation stations are available throughout the site, including in the valley and along the path to the Gurten.
54% of the waste is recycled; the rest is used for energy recovery at the Bern waste-to-energy plant (with an efficiency of over 80%).
Reusable cups have been standard since 2004 – making us one of the first festivals in Europe to adopt them.
In the Comfort Zone, drinks are served in glass (bottles, glasses).
All dishware (cups, plates, cutlery, PET, aluminum) is subject to a deposit.
Plates/bowls are made from sugarcane, cutlery from starch (cPLA).
Returned dishware is thermally recycled at the Forsthaus energy center – generating electricity and heat for the city of Bern.
Free product sampling on and around the festival grounds is prohibited. Exceptions are only made if the sampling offers a direct benefit (e.g. cooling towels).
At least 50% of all meals are vegetarian.
Only regional, seasonal ingredients and Swiss meat are used.
Fish must come from local waters only; seafood is not allowed.
All vendors use the official reusable dishware system.
Alcohol-free beer and drinks are available at all bars.
Electricity and water requirements are ordered through us, managed by us, and optimized where possible.
Only local food stands from the Bern region are present on the Gurten.
The largest stand (operating at two locations) offers fully vegan cuisine – in collaboration with Outlawz Food as a pilot project for economically viable vegan festival catering.
65% of guests arrive by public transport, 30% on foot or by bike. Only 5% still use a car or motorcycle.
Free bicycle parking is available directly at the Gurten funicular station.
Travel within the Libero zones 100/101 is free with a valid ticket and wristband.
Trams, Moonliner night buses, and shuttles operate 24/7 in the city and greater Bern area.
SBB and BLS significantly expand their regular train services during peak times.
Diversity in focus: aiming for the fairest possible gender balance among booked artists on stage.
The Waldbühne (Forest Stage) is reserved for Swiss artists – to support national and regional talent.
A new podcast stage expands the festival’s cultural offerings beyond music.
90% of all purchased goods (food, drinks, etc.) come from Switzerland – mostly from the Bern region.
Procurement is based on ecological and social criteria.
Transport to and from the site is strictly limited and optimized – also due to the geographic layout of the venue.
Helpers and suppliers without cargo use public transport exclusively.
Furniture, machinery, and vehicles are mostly rented and reused rather than purchased.
Pilot project starting in 2025: all generators will run on HVO (renewable plant-based oil).
Water-saving appliances and equipment are used throughout the entire festival site.
100% of electricity comes from renewable energy sources.
An in-house smart grid combines generators and grid power to ensure optimal load distribution and reduce the number of generators needed.
Consumers such as site lighting are centrally controlled and switched on/off based on demand.
- Around CHF 30 million in direct and indirect economic value for the Bern region – for example through jobs, infrastructure, mobility, and hospitality.