The next edition of the Gurtenfestival is a very special one: For the 40th time, it will be loud on Bern's local mountain. The organizers are therefore planning an additional festival day.
This has never happened before in the history of the Gurtenfestival. While the first festival in 1977 lasted two days, a four-day festival has become the norm in recent decades.
But because the 40th edition of the Gurtenfestival will take place in 2023, spectators will be able to celebrate for a whole five days. According to a statement from the organizers, bands will be playing on the Güsche from 12 to 16 July.
Previously, the festival was only scheduled to run until July 15. "40 editions of one of Switzerland's biggest festivals need to be celebrated," reads the press release. "That's why on Sunday, July 16, there will be one more day of music, partying and therefore Güsche."
There will be celebrations on two stages on Sunday
The party will take place on the main stage, the forest stage and the party tents. However, the tent stage will remain closed on Sunday.
Anyone wondering how the 40th anniversary came about, even though the first edition took place in 1977: In the 1980s, the festival was only held every two years. The editions in 2020 and 2021 that were canceled due to the coronavirus crisis are also included.
However, it is not yet known exactly who will be performing on the Gurten stages in 2023. Advance sales for the festival start in November 2022.
blue Music on site
If the journey to Bern's local mountain is too far, you can still get a taste of the festival thanks to blue Music. As this year, selected concerts will once again be broadcast live free of charge via an app on your smartphone, tablet, SmartTV or via tv.blue.ch on your PC. You can register at this link.