The events calendar for the 2024-2025 season in Villars-sur-Ollon is packed! To help navigate it all, here is an overview of the upcoming sporting and cultural events in Villars-sur-Ollon over the next few months.
2024 has been a busy year for Villars-sur-Ollon, both in sports and culture. From a sporting perspective, several major events took place, including winter sports in March with the ISMF World Cup, cycling and running events at the end of summer (UCI Gravel World Championships, UCI Gran Fondo, Ultraks), and the European Climbing Championship. Cultural events have also been abundant, with music festivals (Roots Festival, Villars Big Festival, Afterseason Festival) and cinematic events (FIFAD) attracting large crowds. Social gatherings focused on nature and gastronomy were also organized by Villars Rando.
As the year comes to a close, we look back at these wonderful memories and provide a glimpse of what’s to come.
World Improvisation Cup – December 27-30, 2024
The World Improvisation Cup will take place in Villars-sur-Ollon from December 27 to 30, 2024, marking its sixth edition. This unique event brings together teams of professional comedians from around the world to compete in theatrical battles where imagination and spontaneity reign supreme. Each team improvises on randomly drawn themes, captivating the audience with creative stories, unexpected characters, and spectacular twists. The tournament promises laughter and emotion, attracting theater enthusiasts and those curious to discover the art of improvisation in a festive atmosphere in the heart of the Vaud Alps.
→ Location: Théâtre du Villars Palace
→ Tickets available
→ Info and reservations: https://villarsimprovise.ch/
Festival “Classiques” de Villars: February 16-21, 2025
Created in 1997 by local music lovers under the guidance of French cellist Mark Drobinsky, the festival took its current name in 1999 when Caroline van de Ven became director. The festival centers around a resident orchestra and a guest musician, featuring Swiss and Russian artists since its inception.
→ Locations: major venues in Villars and Ollon, Théâtre du Villars Palace, and the Temple of Villars-sur-Ollon.
→ February 16-21, 2025, for the 27th edition!
Afterseason Festival: March 21-23, 2025
Returning from March 21 to 23, 2025, for three days of fun in the Vaud Alps, the Villars Afterseason Festival offers a unique electronic ambiance for an unforgettable experience.
→ More info: https://afterseason.ch/winter-edition-2025
ISMF World Cup Villars: April 3-5, 2025
Villars hosts a round of the elite ISMF World Cup, featuring Sprint, Mixed Relay, and Individual races.
Ski mountaineering, a beloved sport in Switzerland, has exceptional terrain for diverse routes and attracts a growing number of enthusiasts. This sport will debut at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Ce sport fera par ailleurs ses débuts aux Jeux Olympiques de 2026 à Milano Cortina.
The different events:
→ Sprint events
→ Mixed relay events
→ Individual race events
These same events will return to the Villars station from April 3 to 5, 2025.
Diablerets International Alpine Movie Festival – August 2-9, 2025
The 56th edition of the International Alpine Film Festival will present around 70 films, showcasing the incredible diversity of the mountain world.
Find more information and the full results of the 2024 edition on the event’s website: https://www.fifad.ch/fr/edition-2024/le-palmares.
While waiting for August 2 to 9, 2025, here are some highlights from the 55th edition in pictures:
Cycling and Running Events – June 2025
The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), based in Aigle, organized in 2024 the first-ever UCI Gravel event in Switzerland and the third edition of the UCI Gran Fondo starting from Villars. Our picturesque village, embodying the beauty and charm of Switzerland, with its idyllic location in the heart of the Vaud Alps, promises a course suited for the most ambitious climbers and breathtaking scenery.
UCI Gran Fondo – June 20 to 22, 2025
A festive weekend is being prepared, starting from the renowned resort of Villars, in the heart of the Vaud Alps, for cycling enthusiasts.
With its two race formats (time trial and road race) and four proposed courses, the event caters to both competitive riders and amateurs looking to take on a personal challenge or enjoy a family day, celebrating their shared passion for cycling in all its forms.
Three formats:
1. Time Trial
→ Starting from the mountain resort of Villars, head to the classic Col de la Croix in a short and intense time trial. A final intense effort ideal before the Sunday road race.
→ 6.9 km, 414m elevation gain
→ Route: VILLARS – COL DE LA CROIX
UCI Gran Fondo contre la montre
2. Road Races
→ Granfondo (qualifying distance for men/women 19-59): 150 km, 3724m elevation gain
Gran Fondo UCI 2025
→ Mediofondo (qualifying distance for men/women 60+): 97 km, 2588m elevation gain
Medio Fondo UCI 2025
3. Rando
→ For a solid first challenge!
→ Ideal for taking on a first major cycling challenge or testing yourself with no effort spared.
→ This challenge is a non-competitive event with alphabetical ranking.
Rando UCI Gran Fondo 2025
The next Gran Fondo will take place from June 20 to 22, 2025.
Championnat du Monde Gravel UCI – June 25, 2025
In the heart of the Vaud Alps, the renowned resort of Villars will be the focal point of a festive weekend dedicated to cycling enthusiasts.
The UCI Gravel Switzerland will take place near the UCI headquarters, coinciding with the Swiss GranFondo. Three courses will be offered, giving both competitive riders and amateurs the chance to take on a personal challenge or enjoy a family day, united by their shared passion for gravel cycling.
Long loop of 120 km, 2600m elevation gain: Between the Chablais plain and the Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets ski area, “The most alpine course in the UCI Gravel series” according to the event’s website.
Short loop of 60 km, 1800m elevation gain: The same ingredients as the long course, but in a more manageable format.
The next event will take place on June 25, 2025.
More information and registration on the UCI website: https://ucigranfondosuisse.com/ and https://ucigravelsuisse.com/.
Villars Ultracks – June 2025
Since 2021, the Ultraks family has grown with the addition of Villars Ultraks!
The goal is simple: to take advantage of the region’s exceptional landscapes and trails to design spectacular courses. Just like the Matterhorn Ultraks, Villars Ultraks offers routes of varying distances and difficulty levels, so that every runner can take on a challenge suited to their abilities.
With 4 courses on the program and a single start and finish point, drawing on 8 years of experience with the Matterhorn Ultraks, Villars Ultraks aims to deliver a grand trail-running event for the Vaud region, both for runners and spectators!
The Courses
“CHAM” Course
→ Length: 20.7 km
→ Elevation gain: 1,228 m | Elevation loss: 1,228 m
“ROC” Course
→ Length: 28.8 km
→ Elevation gain: 1,849 m | Elevation loss: 1,849 m
“ARGENTINE” Course
→ Length: 48.9 km
→ Elevation gain: 3,143 m | Elevation loss: 3,143 m
“VERTICALE” Course
→ Length: 6.4 km
→ Elevation gain: 908 m | Elevation loss: 109 m
Information and registration will be available soon on the website https://villars.ultraks.com/.
Montreux Jazz Festival / Montreux Spotlight – July 2025
Montreux Jazz Festival
It’s impossible to talk about events in Villars-sur-Ollon without mentioning the Montreux Jazz Festival! Located very close to Villars, the Montreux Jazz Festival, held every summer, is renowned for its eclectic lineup that goes far beyond jazz, featuring international artists from various musical genres. It offers unique concerts in a captivating setting on the shores of Lake Geneva. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience exceptional performances in a festive atmosphere while enjoying the legendary ambiance of the festival.
Montreux Jazz Festival 2025
→ Montreux
→ 16 days of the Festival
→ Nearly 250,000 spectators
→ 380 concerts, including 250 free ones
→ 11 stages, including 6 free ones
→ 55 food stands and bars
Information and reservations: https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/mjf-spotlight/
Montreux Spotlight
Montreux Spotlight, on the other hand, takes place in Villars-sur-Ollon itself. The festival showcases emerging talents from the music scene, giving spectators a chance to discover promising new artists in a more intimate setting.
→ Villars-sur-Ollon
→ 20 emerging artists to discover on social media
→ 6 artists featured during live sessions
→ Information and reservations: https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/mjf-spotlight/
Mid-Summer Celebrations and National Day in Villars
Around August 1st, residents and visitors can enjoy concerts, folk parades, and children’s workshops in various locations throughout Villars.
In 2024, students from the Villars Palace Academy participated in the parade organized by the Villars festivities committee. They represented the Villars Alpine Resort, with a special focus on the Villars Palace (1913), following the historic stagecoach and dressed in period costumes.
International Motor Race – August 23-25, 2025
Join us on August 23 and 24, 2025, to relive the atmosphere of the European Hill Climb Championship as it was in the early 1970s, on the magnificent original course. In the heart of the charming wine-growing village of Ollon and on the winding roads leading up to Villars, nicknamed “the drivers’ resort,” you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to the drivers and their machines: motorcycles, sidecars, and historic race cars.
This event, held every three years, revives the spirit of a time when spectators could truly “see, smell, and hear the engines roar in the mountains.” With paddocks and a park in Villars open to the public, this return to the lost closeness in motorsports is a rare and precious opportunity.
Drivers and vehicles from all over Europe and the world will race up the 8.3 km climb, bringing the famous Ollon-Villars race back to life for the delight of mechanical and automotive history enthusiasts.
→ August 22: Preparations
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM: Participant reception, technical inspections
→ August 23: Start
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Participant reception, technical inspections
8:30 AM: Drivers’ briefing for CARS
8:45 AM: Drivers’ briefing for MOTORCYCLES and Sidecars
9:15 AM – 12:15 PM: 1st demonstration run
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM: 2nd demonstration run
→ August 24: The Continuation
9:15 AM – 12:15 PM: 3rd demonstration run
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM: 4th demonstration run
To register, click here: https://www.ollon-villars.com/
International Motor Race – Villars-sur-Ollon 2025
Villars Rando Events: All Year Round
Les Raquettes Gourmandes – March 2025
On March 25, 2024, the Raquettes Gourmandes hike took place, organized by Villars Rando. It was an opportunity for participants to go snowshoeing while enjoying dishes prepared by local professionals, as well as wines offered by local winemakers.
After a breakfast at the Villars train station, participants took the train to Bretaye, then hiked a few kilometers to Vy Boveyre, where they enjoyed a raclette tasting, followed by a vol-au-vent at Lac de Chavonnes, a palate cleanser at Bretaye 1808, and a cookie at Crumbs Cafe. The day ended on a festive note at Villars’ Place du Marché, where participants were treated to a craft beer and a concert.
Don’t miss the next event, which will take place in March 2025!
Les Raquettes Gourmandes