The Swiss Yodelling Festival Unites Nations and Continents.

29 June 2026

It is not easy to describe a music festival in words, but words combined with illustrations can speak for themselves. This is particularly true of vocal (yodelling) and instrumental (Alphorn) music, which form part of Switzerland’s and UNESCO’s cultural heritage. Moreover, the Eidgenössische Jodlerfestival, recently held in Basel (26–28 June), also features a non-musical element: Fahnenschwingen.

Be that as it may, it was a fantastic event: well organised, with music of the highest standard, and competitive performances by 1,200 participants in medieval churches, the Stadtcasino, the university auditorium and school buildings.

In addition, there were performances by thousands of participants in the Jodlerdorf, the Jodlermeil, on the Jodlerberg, along the Rhine, in parks, cafés, restaurants, gardens and other venues. Due to the heat, even some of the city’s many fountains served as performance venues.

The theme of the 32nd Eidgenössische Jodlerfestival was the relationship between urban areas and the countryside. However, this connection extends much further, transcending not only municipal and cantonal but also national borders, and even reaching as far as other continents, such as New Zealand, the United States and Australia.

The United States

Australia

New Zealand

It was not just the coolness that ensured packed houses at the performances in churches and other buildings. It was an inspiring festival in terms of content, organisation and music, as evidenced by the crowds in the town, the Jodlermeil, the Jodlerdorf and the Jodlerberg.

The traditional ceremony (Festakt) on the Marktplatz and the parade (Festumzug) across the Mittlere Brücke also attracted considerable interest, with the younger generation of yodellers making an appearance.