Pure Festival Bliss
The 49th Paléo Festival Nyon (21–26 July) will draw to a close this evening after a week that surpassed every expectation. Buoyed by a critically acclaimed line-up, spectacular infrastructure and glorious sunshine throughout the week, the Festival reached a historic milestone on Friday 24 July by welcoming its eight millionth festivalgoer. Filled with unforgettable moments and landmark performances, this exceptional vintage paves the way for Paléo’s 50th anniversary in 2027. Tonight’s closing programme features Timmy Trumpet, Bob Sinclar, GIMS and the Festival’s traditional drone show (weather permitting). THANK YOU!
Stages
Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the 2026 line-up will go down as one of the most memorable in the Festival’s history. The Main Stage played host to a series of truly rallying shows, from Katy Perry’s cross-generational pop anthems to the commanding presence of Boss Lady Theodora. Both performances drew some of the largest crowds of the week. With a constant procession of articulated lorries and monumental stage productions, Paléo once again cemented its place as a key stop on the European touring circuit for the world’s biggest headline acts. Twenty One Pilots delivered a flawless show, while Lorde captivated the audience with an ethereal performance. The Cure left an indelible mark with an epic two-hour set that will undoubtedly go down as one of the defining highlights of 2026. Elsewhere, Gorillaz immersed festivalgoers in a stunning audiovisual experience, while Orelsan delivered a deeply cinematic and introspective performance.
Vega confirmed its status as one of the Festival’s flagship stages, drawing impressive crowds, including for fast-rising artists such as Solann and Miki. Its late-night electronic programme attracted festival-sized audiences, thanks to Amelie Lens’ immersive audiovisual live show, Mosimann’s pyrotechnic spectacle and Perceval’s distinctive blend of medieval techno. Le Dôme, with its ambitious programme dedicated to Nordic artists including Eivør, Skald and Witch Club Satan, played to capacity throughout the week, while Belleville, unveiled in its brand-new setting, won over curious festivalgoers with an exciting selection of electronic discoveries such as riria and DJ Schnake. Swiss artists, who accounted for almost 20% of this year’s line-up, were enthusiastically embraced by audiences across the Festival. Even the opening slots drew large crowds, with performances by Marie Jay and Nonante highlighting the growing appetite for homegrown talent.
New Highlights
The 49th Paléo offered festivalgoers an exceptional site, enhanced by a series of ambitious and spectacular installations. Dedicated to the Nordic countries, the Village du Monde captivated audiences with its immersive setting of colourful cabins, fjords, a lake and lighthouse, crowned by a breathtaking artificial Northern Lights display that illuminated the area each evening. To mark 20 years of collaboration with Paléo, the HES-SO made a striking contribution with an impressive star-inspired structure. Meanwhile, the brand-new Belleville stage was met with unanimous praise. With its elegant architectural design and spectacular lighting concept, it has already established itself as one of the Festival’s iconic stages.
Sustainability
Paléo continued to strengthen its sustainability commitments, with several long-term initiatives now delivering tangible results. Commissioned at the beginning of the year, the Festival’s solar farm has already exceeded initial expectations, helped by particularly favourable sunshine. To date, the installation has generated 74 MWh of electricity, outperforming projected output. In terms of sustainable travel, expanded cycle parking, the installation of a bike repair station, the organisation of group rides and the launch of the Codos app all helped make cycling an even more attractive way to reach the Festival. As a result, bicycle use increased by an average of 50%. Demand proved so strong that cycle parking exceeded full capacity, prompting the Festival to expand the number of available spaces as the week progressed.
Welcoming Festivalgoers
This year’s festival unfolded in a welcoming atmosphere, marked by a strong sense of connection between Festival teams and audiences. The Welcome & Safety department is pleased to report that the week passed without any major incidents. The campsite once again proved hugely popular, welcoming 8,000 campers and more than 1,000 campervans. Much of the Festival’s success is thanks to the outstanding commitment of its 5,428 volunteers, whose work—often behind the scenes but always indispensable—helps ensure the smooth running of the event. Festivalgoers repaid that dedication in kind, bringing warmth, enthusiasm and a shared sense of the unique Paléo spirit that radiated across the site throughout the week.
En route pour le 50e !
Par son innovation, son ambition et son énergie, cette 49e édition pose des bases solides pour le jubilé à venir : la 50e édition du Paléo en 2027. Auréolée de la distinction « Best Major Festival » européen en début d’année, l’organisation se tourne dès aujourd’hui vers les célébrations qui offriront au public une édition anniversaire exceptionnelle de sept jours.
