Shapes Festival (Leysin, Switzerland) 2026

About

High in the Swiss Alps, Shapes Festival 2026 returns to Leysin with a radically different approach to electronic music gatherings, where altitude, nature, and sound are treated as equal elements of the experience. Taking place across several days in late winter, the festival unfolds between mountain-top stages, alpine lodges, and intimate indoor spaces, creating a setting where snow-covered landscapes and crisp air shape every moment on the dancefloor.

Shapes is known for its carefully curated lineup that leans toward techno, house, minimal, and experimental electronic sounds, with a strong emphasis on artists who value long-form storytelling and musical precision. Previous editions have featured respected underground names and scene-shaping selectors such as Ricardo Villalobos, Sonja Moonear, Zip, Raresh, Margaret Dygas, and Francesco Del Garda, alongside emerging artists who align with the festival’s refined aesthetic. Rather than overwhelming scale, the focus remains on cohesion, flow, and deep listening.

The mountain environment plays a central role in how the festival feels and sounds. Daytime sets often take place outdoors with panoramic alpine views, while nights shift into warm, low-lit interiors where sound systems are tuned for clarity and intimacy. This contrast allows the music to breathe, moving naturally from relaxed daytime grooves to hypnotic late-night sessions that stretch well into the early hours.

Shapes Festival attracts a global yet tightly connected audience, made up of dedicated music lovers, DJs, and collectors who come not just to party, but to fully immerse themselves in the culture and community surrounding the sound. There is a strong sense of respect on the dancefloor, where subtle transitions and extended sets are appreciated as much as peak moments.

By 2026, Shapes Festival stands as one of Europe’s most distinctive boutique events, offering a rare balance between high-level electronic music curation and an unforgettable alpine setting. It’s a festival where elevation is felt both physically and musically, delivering an experience that is as thoughtful as it is transportive.