Big Festival – The Short Story

In almost 50 years of existence, we have lived through many adventures. Driven with passion by its dedicated association, Paléo has braved challenges with courage and a hint of joyful madness.

Although the Festival has changed a lot over time, its roots have remained the same thanks to its passionate, free and ambitious community.

1973–1976
Paléo is first and foremost a story of friendship, born in the post‑Woodstock effervescence and the folk spirit of the 1970s.

A handful of music lovers dared to dream big and succeeded in inviting the artists who defined the moment. The gamble paid off. In 1976, the creation of the Folk Club de l’Escalier association and the First Folk Festival laid the foundations of a project already too ambitious to remain indoors.

1977–1989
With its feet in the water on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Nyon Folk Festival experienced spectacular growth in Colovray.

Renamed Paléo Folk Festival and later Paléo Festival Nyon, the event embraced an eclectic and international programme while gradually professionalising. Despite an unstable context and recurring threats of relocation, Paléo continued to expand, supported by the public’s enthusiasm and prestigious line-ups. By the end of the decade, it brought together 90'000 visitors and 1'000 collaborators.

1990–1999
The cheerful team tamed a new playground on the Plaine de l’Asse, ushering in a new era.

Everything must be imagined anew on this vast plain. But above all, it must be given a soul. The decade was marked by a creative and scenic explosion: new stages, ambitious scenography and artistic moments that have since become legendary. The Festival broke record after record while becoming aware of the site’s capacity limits at 200'000 visitors. For the first time in its history, Paléo sadly had to turn people away at the entrance.

2000–2019
At the turn of the millennium, Paléo shifted to a new dimension, evolving from a charming local gathering into an essential cultural institution.

Paléo had established itself as Switzerland’s largest open-air festival and a European reference, recognised with numerous awards. The Festival expanded its cultural offer with the creation of the Village du Monde, La Ruche and a collaboration with HES-SO, while increasingly integrating sustainability and digital priorities. Paléo became a true cultural hub, able to welcome and sustain thousands of visitors without losing its unifying spirit.

2022 – today
After a forced hiatus, Paléo gained new momentum thanks to a completely reimagined site design.

The organisation integrated new stages and major advancements in sustainability. With a capacity of 250,000 people, Paléo still sells out within minutes. It continues to unite five generations around a bold and popular programme. While the Festival’s appearance has changed, its spirit remains intact thanks to the dedication of its tireless community. In 2025, Paléo was voted Best Major European Festival and obtained the Greener Festival certification.