Altstätten is gearing up for the 2027 Swiss Folk Music Festival
Altstätten, September 10, 2026
In just one year, Altstätten will become the heart of Swiss folk music. From September 9 to 12, 2027, the historic town of Altstätten in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley will be transformed into a lively festival village. Exactly one year before this major national event, media representatives, government officials, partners, and key supporters gathered. The organizing committee used the day to hold a joint workshop and provided an update on the current status of preparations in the afternoon.
Hosting the 2027 Swiss Folk Music Festival marks a first of national significance for the St. Gallen Rhine Valley: this is the first time a Swiss Folk Music Festival will be held in the region. The shared experience is at the heart of the preparations. With every step in the planning process, the 2027 Swiss Folk Music Festival is taking shape more clearly. Partners, participants, and the region’s residents are working together to create an event that will have an impact far beyond the four days of the festival.
Altstätten Becomes a Stage of Sound
Altstätten offers the perfect setting for a Swiss Folk Music Festival. Winding alleys, Baroque building facades, historic arcades, and cozy squares provide a unique backdrop for a festival that combines traditional sounds with new musical forms. The entire old town is transformed into a festival village. Twelve stages, festival food stands, market stalls, beer trucks, and gathering spots filled with music and camaraderie will spring up at various locations. In four performance venues, seasoned musicians and up-and-coming ensembles from all over Switzerland will showcase their talents. Up to 1,500 active musicians are expected in Altstätten. Among the weekend’s highlights are the “Folk Music Gala Evening,” the grand parade on Sunday, and various markets that reflect the traditions and unique character of the region and the market town of Altstätten.
Together on the Home Stretch
The organizing committee is now focusing its preparations on detailed planning, the festival schedule, and the individual program items. Following the welcome address by Co-Organizing Committee President Philipp Färber, Simon Büchel and Dario Schmid, speaking on behalf of the entire organizing committee, reported on the many intensive meetings and discussions the committee has been engaged in for months. Collaboration among the various departments and partners is crucial to the festival’s success. For example, a temporary sound park is being created in Marolani Park in collaboration with Klangwelt Toggenburg. At the Prestegg Museum, a special exhibition on the theme of “Folk Music in the Rhine Valley” is planned in partnership with the Haus der Volksmusik and the Roothuus Gonten. During the four days of the festival, various live TV and radio broadcasts by SRG SSR are scheduled. These include, among others, the program “Potzmusig” and the live broadcast of the festival parade. Such projects require close coordination between the various departments.
Partnerships as a Solid Foundation
An event of this magnitude can only be realized through the collaboration of many dedicated partners. The Swiss Folk Music Association and the city of Altstätten are serving as hosts. The hearing aid company Neuroth was secured early on as a strong presenting partner, whose commitment is closely tied to the central element of the musical experience. Migros Kulturprozent Ostschweiz serves as the main partner and plays a pivotal role through its commitment and expertise in the fields of gastronomy and catering. This network is complemented by several co-partners, including AXA Insurance, Clientis Bank, Suzuki Switzerland, and the SUISA Cooperative. As a partner for the festival anthem, SUISA creates a special connection to the musical heart of the event. With Sonnenbräu AG as a regionally rooted beer partner and Züger Frischkäse, which adds culinary flair with products such as Filona and mozzarella, the festival gains additional regional and national roots. In addition to financial contributions, numerous partners also provide valuable services and infrastructure. National and regional media outlets support the project with editorial coverage, and cultural and tourism organizations contribute their networks and expertise.
The anticipation is building
Participants and festival-goers can look forward to a diverse, traditional, and at the same time innovative folk music festival. There are still twelve months left for final planning, coordinating the individual events, and preparing the many program highlights. The direction is clear: Altstätten is getting ready to welcome folk music with open arms, warm hospitality, and a unique historic setting.
