With the arrival of the fine weather, snack bars, barbecue areas and deck chairs spring up in the city’s parks. From the different bathing sites to the summer events programme, find all the information you need to enjoy summer in Geneva to the full.
Let’s hear it for the music!
With the arrival of the fine summer days, music stages are blossoming in Geneva. Discover our selection of music festivals that will have you swaying to the beat this summer.
Where to go swimming in Geneva?
With swimming pools, paddling pools, Lake Geneva and the rivers, there are more than enough opportunities to take a dip! Find all the practical information and the list of sites where you can go swimming in Geneva.
Free sports classes
This summer, more than 70 open air classes, ranging from Pilates through Swedish fit (fitness to music) and pushchair gym to yoga, will be organised in seven locations around the city on both shores of the lakes. Asphalte hosts urban sports dedicated to young people while the Canopée, an ephemeral place on the Quai Gustave-Ador offers relaxation and well-being activities in addition to its beautiful view of the Rade.
Free deck chairs in the parks
Hundreds of deck chairs are made available to the public free of charge in several parks around Geneva.
Urban golf
During the summer, the City of Geneva offers the possibility of playing golf for free in the city center. The 9 holes and 4 km course allows you to rediscover the most beautiful sites of the city while practicing a sporting activity.
Summer events on the lake shore
The local population doesn’t need to go far in summer to make the most of the lake shore: several summer events venues, with food and drink also served, are open to the public during the summer season.
Summer snack bars
With the arrival of the fine weather, numerous snack bars spring up in the parks around Geneva. Run by young people and/or neighbourhood associations, they serve drinks and snacks at reasonable prices accompanied by activities and, in certain cases, music.
Summer in the neighborhoods
The Communiy centres of the City of Geneva offer many activities to residents: dance, gym, tai-chi, yoga, creative activities... there is something for all tastes and all ages!
Ludobus summer rounds
Two Ludobuses will make stops in some forty parks and school playgrounds during the summer, bringing a selection of games and activities to children and families.
Barbecues
A number of barbecue areas are specially installed in several parks around Geneva and made available to the public free of charge. Every summer (except in 2020), barbecues are also organised in different parks around the city.
From park to park with the BM
This summer, the municipal libraries (BM) invite you to join them in the Bois de la Bâtie (6-17 July) and in Parc Geisendorf (20-31 July). The programme of this 6th edition on the theme of “Pop cultures” includes multilingual readings, engraving, sound and voice, singing and gardening workshops, concerts, screenings, off-beat performances, bucolic and musical walks and even an introduction to roller-skating and the circus arts…there’s something for everyone! Programme available online from mid-June on the BM digital mediation blog.
In the shade of large trees
A city of trees, Geneva boasts numerous specimens offering shade and a cool place to rest, such as the sequoias in Parc Barton, the cedars in Parc Beaulieu, the numerous trees in the CJBG and the urban forest of the Bois de la Bâtie. Several activities and events focussing on trees are also organised.
Board games in the parks
L'Union fait le jeu is an activity offered in various city parks during the summer. Board and outdoor games, such as ball or racket games, are offered to everyone by a group of young girls supervised by the Youth Service.
Summer holidays: head for Geneva!
Are you dreaming of the Mediterranean, exotic destinations or a journey to the far side of the globe? With its walks through a North American forest, under shady palm trees or through volcanic landscapes, Geneva boasts a number of sites that will whisk you off on a journey and satisfy (almost) all your desires to visit distant destinations.
Major events during the summer
- Pianos égarés, with pianos made available to the public and concerts on an itinerant grand piano in different public areas around the canton, from 9 to 26 June 2022.
- The Fête de la musique, entirely free, which will launch the festivities from the end of June.
- Musique en été, a not-to-be-missed festival with concerts bringing the Geneva summer to life.
- La Nuit de la Science, with its demonstrations, scientific shows, games and exhibitions, on 9 and 10 July 2022 in Parc de la Perle du Lac.
- Ciné Transat and its free film screenings under the stars in Parc de la Perle du Lac, from 14 July to 21 August 2022
- Every year on the day of the Fête nationale, the public enjoys an original entertainment programme designed for all ages along with a number of surprises to celebrate 1 August in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The summer programme
Find all the events organised this summer in the City of Geneva’s online diary and via the free Geneva in summer mobile app, available for download from Google Play or the Apple Store
Article modifié le 21.02.2023 à 15:28