When the Piazza Grande in Locarno is transformed into a concert arena, it's Moon+Stars time again. The popular open-air event is one of the musical highlights of the Swiss summer and attracts thousands of visitors to Ticino every year. In 2026, fans can once again look forward to great acts, a special atmosphere and unforgettable summer evenings.
Moon+Stars will take place on the Piazza Grande in Locarno from July 9 to 19, 2026. Concerts by national and international artists are on the program on eleven evenings - with the impressive Piazza as the center of the event. The backdrop with its historic buildings lends the event a very special atmosphere. This is where the headliners perform, while modern stage technology ensures an intense live experience.
An entire festival area is created around the shows:
Moon+Stars thus combines big live concerts with a festival atmosphere, culinary delights and a summer vacation feeling on Lake Maggiore.
This year, the open-air festival will once again bring a diverse line-up to Locarno. Both international superstars and well-known Swiss artists will take to the stage during the eleven days of the festival. Guests can look forward to performances by Lewis Capaldi, OneRepublic, Jessie J and the legendary pop band Duran Duran, among others, who will provide great concert moments with their world-famous songs.
Further international acts will provide additional musical variety: Funk legends Jamiroquai will perform together with LP, while Norwegian star DJ Alan Walker will bring electronic sounds to the piazza. Fans of Italian pop music can also look forward to Max Pezzali.
Of course, local artists are also an important part of the program: Gölä and Bligg bring dialect hits to Locarno, and on the traditional Swiss evening, Trauffer, Stubete Gäng and Heimatliebi ensure a lively atmosphere. The event will conclude with German pop star Wincent Weiss, who will get the Piazza Grande singing along to his songs.
The result is a program that ranges from pop and rock to electronic music and Swiss sounds - and makes every evening a special experience.
What sets Moon+Stars apart from many other festivals is the unique combination of open-air concerts, historical backdrop and Mediterranean lifestyle. Between palm trees, the lake and the old town, an atmosphere is created that attracts music fans from all over Switzerland and abroad. The event has been one of the most important music events in Switzerland for many years and regularly attracts over a hundred thousand visitors to Locarno.
The US band OneRepublic has been one of the most successful pop bands in the world for years. Frontman Ryan Tedder and his bandmates effortlessly manage to combine emotion in their tracks and power in their shows. With hits such as "Counting Stars", "Apologize" and "I Ain't Worried", they have reached millions of fans worldwide and give their fans goosebumps.
The Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi inspires with his distinctive voice, honest lyrics and lots of charm. His global hit "Someone You Loved" made him internationally famous and conquered the charts. Songs such as "Before You Go", "Hold Me While You Wait", "Forget Me" and "Wish You the Best" also show his strength for emotional pop ballads. In addition to his music, Capaldi is also known for his humor and his spontaneous manner on stage - a mixture that makes his concerts special and goes down very well with the audience.