Alphorn Festival on Männlichen
On Sunday 9 August 2026, the Big Alphorn Festival fills the Männlichen summit with music from 10:00, with main performances at 11:00 and 14:00. Alphorn players and flag-wavers join the Jodlerklub Grindelwald, all against the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
The event
The alphorn is Switzerland's oldest sound, and on Männlichen it plays where it belongs, out in the open with the peaks for an audience. Players gather from across the region, joined by flag-wavers and the Jodlerklub Grindelwald, and the long horns carry a tone that suits the scale of the place. Music starts at 10:00, with the two main sets at 11:00 and 14:00, so you can time your ride up around whichever suits your day.
Up on Männlichen
Männlichen stands directly above Wengen, reached by the Wengen-Männlichen cable car in a few minutes from the valley station beside the hotel. The festival takes place on the summit's open ground, with the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau wall lined up across the horizon. The terrain at the top is level and easy to walk, so you can settle in for a set or drift between the players and the flag-wavers as the morning goes on.
Practical information
Date: Sunday 9 August 2026
Time: Music from 10:00; main performances at 11:00 and 14:00
Location: Männlichen summit, reached by the Wengen-Männlichen cable car
Price: Free to attend; the cable-car fare applies
Good to know: An open-air summit event; bring warm layers and sun protection for the altitude
Plan your stay
The cable-car valley station is a short walk from the door, so staying at Victoria Lauberhorn, a Faern Collection Hotel, puts the summit within easy reach for the morning music. Ride up for the alphorns, catch the 11:00 set, and be back in the village for a late lunch. Book your August stay in good time, as the summer festival weekends draw a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Big Alphorn Festival on Männlichen?
The Big Alphorn Festival brings alphorn players from across the region to the Männlichen summit, high above Wengen. They are joined by flag-wavers and the Jodlerklub Grindelwald, all performing in the open with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau lined up across the horizon. The alphorn is Switzerland's oldest sound, and here it plays out in the open where it belongs.
What are the dates and performance times?
The festival takes place on Sunday 9 August 2026 on the Männlichen summit. Music starts at 10:00, with the two main performances at 11:00 and 14:00. That means you can time your cable-car ride up around whichever set suits your day.
How much does the Alphorn Festival cost?
Attending the festival is free. The fare for the Wengen-Männlichen cable car applies for the ride up and down. No further costs are listed for the event itself.
What should I bring for an open-air event on the summit?
Bring warm layers and sun protection, as this is an open-air event at altitude. The terrain at the top is level and easy to walk, so you can settle in for a set or drift between the players and the flag-wavers. The festival takes place on the summit's open ground around the cable-car top station.
Why stay at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn for the festival?
The valley station of the Wengen-Männlichen cable car is a short walk from the hotel door, so the summit is within easy reach for the morning music. You can ride up for the alphorns, catch the 11:00 set and be back in the car-free village for a late lunch, with Pasta & More for a la carte dining. August festival weekends draw a crowd, so book your stay in good time.