Info
A - Most important info
In 2023 the Gurtenfestival will present its 40th edition. It will be celebrated with an additional day of music – for the first time, Bern’s local mountain will also come alive on Sunday. The legendary Rock the Hill promotion starts with exclusive 40th-edition passes (4 & 5-day passes!) in November, regular advance sales in December.
SAVE THE DATE: 12 – 16 July 2023!
Sunday:
The musical programme on Sunday will focus on the main stage area, the tent stage area will remain closed. There will be three acts each playing on the Main Stage and Forest Stage, and the three Dancetents will of course also be open and serving the accompanying party.
The VIP area is now called Comfort Zone. More information about this area can be found here.
Arrival and departure
Arrival
On the days your festival wristband is valid, enjoy free rides on buses, trams, or city trains (S-Bahn, 2nd class only) within zones 100 and 101 of the Bern Libero public transportation system, plus free shuttle rides between the festival parking in Wabern and the Gurten funicular. Free rides on the Gurten funicular are also included.
On your day of arrival, your festival ticket will serve as transportation ticket (within Libero zones 100/101). Please present ticket or wristband upon request. Kids born in 2011 or later ride free when accompanied by an adult festival visitor.
www.libero-tarifverbund.ch
Departure
Gurten funicular: The last downhill ride will be at 5.30 a.m. on all festival days. Shuttle buses will be available from the Gurtenbahn tram stop to the main train station in Bern as well as to the festival parking (intermediate stops on request). Sunday: The Gurtenbahn runs continuously, last descent is at 01.00. a.m..
Moonliner
During the Gurtenfestival 2023, Moonliner buses offer an extended service. Check moonliner.ch, sbb.ch, or the ÖV Plus app for exact timetables.
Normal Moonliner fares will be in effect – the festival wristband is now also valid on the Moonliner buses as a ticket in zones 100/101. Please help keep the boarding times short by getting your Moonliner ticket ahead of time at a ticket vending machine or via the Moonliner Ticket App.
www.moonliner.ch
Free parking for bicycles and motorcycles is available at Kirchstrasse in Wabern and at Morillon Schulhaus. Please follow the signs. Please only park your vehicle in the marked areas. The parking area may be used until 1 a.m. on Sunday. Any remaining bicycles and motorcycles will then be cleared out.
Sufficient parking spaces and stations are available on site for PubliBikes. The parking area is on Kirchstrasse opposite the Morillon Schulhaus.
Festival tickets include free rides on the Gurten funicular.
The last downhill ride from Wednesday to Saturday is at 05.30 a.m., on Sunday it’s at 1 a.m.. After the end of the regular public transport service, shuttle buses will run from the Gurtenbahn tram stop to Bern main station on all evenings.
From A6 motorway, take exit Rubigen/Belp > drive through Belp > arrive at Wabern. The festival parking area for passenger cars is located at the first roundabout in Wabern on the right hand side. A parking space costs a flat fee of CHF 60.00 for all four festival days (CHF 40.00 if you only use the parking space on Sunday). Overnight stays on the car park and any camping vehicles are not allowed. Spending the night on the parking lot is not permissible, nor are camping vehicles of any kind.
Please take public transportation whenever possible. The festival neighbourhood and the environment will thank you!
Cashless
Comfort Zone
Festival Site
Wednesday
Site opening: 2.00 p.m. | Concert start: 3.00 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Site opening: 10.00 a.m. | Concert start: 2.00 p.m.
Sunday
Site opening: 10.00 a.m. | Concert start: 1.15 p.m.
Opening hours Comfort Zone Main & Garden
Wednesday from 2.00 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 a.m. each day
Opening hours Comfort Zone Desk
MI / DO / FR / SA: 2.00 – 10.00 p.m.
SO: 10.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Outside these opening hours you can use the Check-In Desk (left in front of the main entrance).
Various bars, lounges and dining areas as well as the spacious, secluded garden invite you to linger – and to engage in lively conversations in a relaxed setting. In addition, the covered grandstand with an unobstructed view of the main stage, its own sanitary facilities and lockers make this place an oasis of well-being. Whether it’s a take-away meal, a coffee in the shade or drinks in the sun – we’ve got you covered. The menus offer a wide variety of delicacies of regional origin. If you need a breather, lean back in the cosy cushions, grab a sofa upstairs or curl up at a garden table under the trees. For faster ascent and descent, you can use the Comfort Zone wristband to access a separate entrance at the valley and mountain stations of the Gurtenbähnli. You can enter the Comfort Zone at the top station via a separate entrance. If you have any questions, please contact comfort@gurtenfestival.ch.
There is a separate Comfort Zone entrance at the bottom and top stations of the Gurtenbahn. For the first ascent on arrival, the ticket is valid on the day of its validity – please print it out or have your mobile ticket ready.
Information on how to get here can be found here.
Festival site
Rule for admission and access
You can exchange your ticket for a wristband on the first day of its validity. The exception is the Sunday ticket. This can be exchanged for a wristband on any day. The wristband must be worn tightly on the right wrist until Sunday.
We strongly recommend that you exchange your festival ticket for a festival wristband at the wristband exchange at the village school in Wabern. This is also possible at the mountain station, but there is significantly less capacity. The wristband must be worn tightly around the right wrist. Damaged or loose wristbands will not be accepted and will not be replaced if lost. The wristband is not transferable. Anyone who misuses it is liable to prosecution and will be reported to the police.
The wristband will be fastened directly around the wrist during the exchange. No loose wristbands will be given to other persons.
The age check (+16/+18) is done directly with the wristband at the wristband exchange. Children up to the age of 12 (born in 2011) can visit the festival for free when accompanied by an adult and do not need a wristband.
Access to the festival area is only possible via Wabern. You can see how to get there under Arrival
Permissible:
- Small pocket and digital cameras
- GoPro cameras with handles no more than 25 cm in length
- Cooler boxes
- Perfume bottles and glass baby bottles
- PET bottles and beverage boxes (no more than 3 litres per person)
- Reusable aluminium drinks bottles up to 0.6 litres (e.g. Sigg or similar)
- Parasols with a maximum diameter of 2 metres
- Aluminium tubes (mayonnaise, mustard, etc.)
- Small pocket knives (no more than 6 cm in length)
Non-permissible:
- Aluminium and tin cans (exception: aluminium tubes for mayonnaise, mustard, etc.)
- Equipment for audio recording and/or playback (with loudspeakers)
- Bengal fires and other pyrotechnic articles
- Photo, film, digital, and/or video cameras with exchangeable lenses
- Selfie sticks, GoPro handles, telescoping handles, bipods/tripods longer than 25 cm
- Gas stoves
- Glass (except small perfume and baby bottles)
- Confetti
- Megaphones and musical instruments
- Spray cans of any kind
- Weapons or other dangerous items
- Water balloons
- Camping equipment (with the exception of tripod stools)
- Drones
Our security personnel will conduct checks. Non-permissible items will be deposited in a container near the entrance where they may be picked up again after the festival. After 3 months, any non-collected items will be discarded.
Children born in 2011 and younger may attend the Gurtenfestival free of charge – if accompanied by an adult (ID required). The age check will be carried out when the wristband is exchanged.
The Cerebral Foundation and the Gurtenfestival ensure that people with walking disabilities can visit the Gurtenfestival as easily as possible. Starting with the wheelchair-accessible Gurtenbahn, the accessible walkways to the three wheelchair stands and on-site assistance. Two barrier-free toilets are located in the immediate vicinity, all accessible with the Eurokey. If you don’t have such a key, you can order it conveniently at the following link: www.eurokey.ch.
Electric wheelchairs can be charged on site and there is a small mobile workshop for repairs or spare parts for wheelchairs. If you don’t have a ticket yet and would like to be at the Gurtenfestival, please contact ticketing@gurtenfestival.ch. As a wheelchair user you will receive a 20% discount on your ticket.
All disabled taxis are allowed to unload and pick up wheelchair users at the Gurtenbahn valley station. This is possible without a permit.
Gurtä wheelchair
The Gurtä wheelchair is specially designed for natural mountain trails, cobblestones, rough gravel and path steps. Thanks to the intelligent chassis with electric drive, it offers all the features for safe progress on rough terrain. The double rear wheel prevents it from sinking into soft ground. At the same time, it offers flexibility and stability during driving maneuvers. Due to the unique design and drive technology, it is possible to overcome inclines and declines forward up to 32%.
The Gurtä wheelchair is available every festival day from 11.00 am at the wheelchair grandstand (main stage) and can be booked there for a ride.
Temporary tent constructions are not permitted on the festival grounds. However, it is permissible to spend the night in sleeping bags.
Festival wristbands are to be worn on the right wrist for the duration of their validity. Torn off wristbands will not be replaced.
In the event of programming changes, no claims for the reimbursement of ticket costs will be accepted.
A maximum of 3 litres of beverages (PET bottles or beverage cartons as well as reusable aluminium beverage bottles only) may be brought to the festival grounds per person. Resale of food and beverages is not permitted.
The Gurtenfestival observes a maximum sound level of 100 dB(A) which is the maximum level permissible by law. Please be aware that this sound level may cause hearing damage. Ear plugs are available at the Info Point in the Festival Store and at all bars.
In 2023 there will no longer be a Sleeping Zone. The demand for Sleeping Zone tickets has been steadily declining over the last few years and the construction of this area is enormously complex and cost-intensive.
The city of Bern offers many different accommodation options. We are currently reviewing offers and tips for you and will communicate these here on our website in due course.
Safety & Security
ALWAYS COMPLY WITH ANY LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF THE SECURITY STAFF
- In case of an evacuation of buildings and tents, please move into open terrain, keeping clear of structures, trees, and other possible dangers. Please do not hike to the valley as the footpath passes through a forest.
- Please share any official information – keep your friends up to date.
- If required, help those in need while maintaining your own personal safety.
- Note the evacuation zones on the “Safety & Security” map. (follows)
Children and adolescents under the age of 16 are strictly prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages. Adolescents under the age of 18 are prohibited by law from consuming spirits and spirituous beverages (mixed drinks). Age checks (+16/+18) are conducted directly at the wristband exchange and wristbands are marked with the respective age.
Children born in 2011 and younger may attend the Gurtenfestival free of charge – if accompanied by an adult (ID required). The age check will be carried out when the wristband is exchanged.
Just like at most other festivals, crowdsurfing is not permitted at Gurtenfestival as it has caused unnecessary injuries in the past.
We recommend that you take as few valuables as possible to the festival. It is best to carry valuables on you at all times or deposit them in a safe deposit box. Lockers cost CHF 2.00 per opening, are not attended and are available in the Foody and at the tent stage area. It’s as good as it gets. No liability is accepted for stolen or lost items.
2 Swiss Franc coins can be obtained at the Info Point and the Festival Store.
Do you have questions about drugs, alcohol, or gaming addiction? Are you worried about your own consumption or that of a friend, a child, or a parent? Find an open ear for your questions about drug consumption and addiction on the internet: Visit www.safezone.ch to get information, share experiences with other people in the forum or in the chats, and get personal advice from addiction addiction specialists – anonymity guaranteed.
A well equipped first aid team is available in case of emergencies. The first aid is located in the pavilion next to the Gurten funicular.
The Gurtenfestival observes a maximum sound level of 100 dB(A) which is the maximum level permissible by law. Please be aware that this sound level may cause hearing damage. Ear plugs are available at the Info Point in the Festival Store and at all bars.
During the festival, our security staff are on the festival grounds around the clock. Please notify them straight away in case of problems. The security staff’s instructions are to be complied with.
Tickets
You can find your ticket(s) in the Gurtenfestival Ticket Shop in your account or under tickets.
Always buy your ticket through the organiser or official sales points. In our case, you can only buy tickets through the Gurtenfestival Ticket Shop.
A maximum of eight tickets per person can be purchased per festival. The tickets are not personalised.
The festival wristband entitles the holder to free return travel by bus, tram or S-Bahn (2nd class) within Libero zones 100/101. For the first journey, the festival ticket is valid as a ticket (within Libero zones 100/101).
Wheelchair users receive a 20% reduced ticket. Please contact us at ticketing@gurtenfestival.ch.
The Gurtenfestival is free of charge for children born 2011 and younger – accompanied by an adult. Identification is compulsory.
The purchase of Gurtenfestival tickets for the purpose of resale (trade) is generally prohibited. Purchase tickets only through the Gurtenfestival Ticket Shop.
The general terms and conditions of the Gurtenfestival AG can be found here.
Secondhand tickets will be available again in 2023.
Detailed information will follow in due course.
In 2023 there will no longer be a Sleeping Zone. The demand for Sleeping Zone tickets has been steadily declining over the last few years and the construction of this area is enormously complex and cost-intensive.
The city of Bern offers many different accommodation options. We are currently reviewing offers and tips for you and will communicate these here on our website in due course.
Ticket prices will be increased in 2023. This is due to the general inflation, which already brought us additional costs in the six-digit range for the 2022 edition. The regular 1-day pass will be 5% more expensive and will now cost 121.- (2022: 115.-). In the course of the increase, we have also adjusted the discount structure. Until now, this was not uniform across the various ticket categories and did not follow a clear gradation. Now we are applying a simple, comprehensible and fair model: With each additional day you get a 10% discount. So if you buy a 4-day pass, you get the biggest discount.