The World Band Festival is Europe’s largest wind music festival. During eight days, over 22,000 guests visit the Culture and Congress Centre Lucerne (KKL Luzern).
The World Band Festival traditionally kicks off with the Besson Swiss Open Contest, a competition involving ten Swiss brass bands.
The official inaugural event, though, is the open-air concert in Europaplatz, which has gained popularity over the years and is broadcast live on Radio SRF Musikwelle. The programme continues with concerts featuring a variety of genres including brass, dixie, swing, jazz and folk music. The World Band Festival is adept at reconciling light music with more high-brow material. Either way, the focus is always on wind instruments.
The World Band Festival traditionally kicks off with the Besson Swiss Open Contest, a competition involving ten Swiss brass bands.
The official inaugural event, though, is the open-air concert in Europaplatz, which has gained popularity over the years and is broadcast live on Radio SRF Musikwelle. The programme continues with concerts featuring a variety of genres including brass, dixie, swing, jazz and folk music. The World Band Festival is adept at reconciling light music with more high-brow material. Either way, the focus is always on wind instruments.
Date
September 2025Good to know
Accessibility / Location
Accessible by public transport
Central location
In the city
Target group
Individual guests
Adults
Seniors
Directions & Parking facilities
The World Band Festival takes place at the KKL, right next to Lucerne railway station.
