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Festivals & events

Freddie Days

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Freddie Days
© Freddie Days
Type
Festival
Address
Place du Marché, 1820 Montreux

Each year, around 5 September, Freddie Mercury's birthday, the Freddie Days bring together fans from all over the world in Montreux. Free and without tickets, the festival unfolds around the statue and the covered market, on the Place du Marché: tribute band concerts, encounters with people close to the singer, exhibitions and lake cruises.

Montreux’s birthday party

Since 2001, around 5 September

The event is held in Montreux around 5 September, Freddie Mercury’s birthday. It was created in 2003 by the parents of the current president of the Montreux Celebration association, who also guides the Freddie Tours.

Many cover bands from around the world play there, and personalities who knew the singer are invited for concerts, talks, demonstrations or workshops. The programme is published on montreuxcelebration.com.

The 2025 Freddie Days aftermovie.

The singer’s circle, and the Casino evening

In 2006, alongside fans from around the world, those present included Freddie’s mother and sister, Jer Bulsara and Kashmira Cook, Queen manager Jim Beach, producer David Richards and Claude Nobs. Peter Freestone, the singer’s personal assistant for twelve years, has been a regular since the very first editions: he gives talks and signing sessions there.

Since 2013 the Mercury Phoenix Trust has held its official evening in parallel at the Casino de Montreux. The two events remain distinct and take place over a weekend, around the statue and under the covered market.

2026 : l'Estate de la sculptrice, pour les trente ans de la statue

L'édition 2026 marque un double anniversaire : les huitante ans de la naissance de Freddie Mercury et les trente ans de la statue. Le jeudi 3 septembre, au Byron Hall de l'Hôtel Eden Palace au Lac, l'Irena Sedlecká Estate revient sur la fabrication du monument aux côtés de Sam R. M. Geden et de Jim Jenkins. Le parcours de la sculptrice Irena Sedlecká, qui a façonné le bronze de Prague au Léman, est raconté sur sa fiche artiste.

Freddie Days 2026: Freddie’s 80th birthday

From 2 to 6 September 2026, the Freddie Days took on a special scale: the edition celebrated the 80th anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s birth and the 30 years of his statue. For five days, the bronze vanished under flowers, candles, golden balloons and giant “80s”, amid messages from all over the world.

In a rare moment, the singer’s family was present: his sister Kashmira Bulsara and her son Sam mingled with the crowd gathered at the foot of the statue.

Kashmira Bulsara, Freddie Mercury’s sister, and her son Sam, among the fans of the 2026 Freddie Days.
Kashmira Bulsara, Freddie Mercury’s sister, and her son Sam, among the fans of the 2026 Freddie Days.© Visit Montreux
  • Freddie Mercury’s statue adorned with flowers and balloons during the 2026 Freddie Days.
  • The statue, microphone in hand, beneath an “80” balloon.
  • Freddie’s bronze face beneath the flower garlands.
  • The statue’s raised arm, covered in flowers.
  • The statue crowned and surrounded by balloons.
  • The statue’s raised fist, among the golden balloons of the 80th birthday.
  • The statue facing the lake, surrounded by golden balloons.
  • Lake Geneva and the Riviera, the setting Freddie Mercury had chosen.
  • Fans gathered on the quays of Montreux, facing the lake.
  • The crowd on the quays, between the stalls and the lake.
  • The Freddie Days crowd in the evening, by the lake.
  • Golden “80” balloons and a heart, at the foot of the statue.
  • A profusion of golden balloons for the 80th birthday.
  • A pebble painted “Freddie Mercury”, left at the foot of the statue.
  • An “80 years later” poster among the tributes.
  • A pop-art portrait of Freddie left by a fan.
  • A photograph of the young Freddie Mercury, among the flowers.
  • A collage of concert images, in tribute to the singer.
  • Swiss and British flags and candles at the foot of the statue.
  • A fan’s dog, at the foot of the flower-covered statue.
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Freddie Mercury’s statue adorned with flowers and balloons during the 2026 Freddie Days. © Visit Montreux

Related artists :Freddie MercuryQueenIrena Sedlecká

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See also

Freddie ToursMemorials & tributesStatue de Freddie MercuryMemorials & tributesEden Palace au LacHomes, hotels & restaurantsCasino de MontreuxVenues & stagesFestival de la Rose d'OrFestivals & eventsMarché couvertVenues & stagesLa Griffe AusoniMuseums, studios & shopsBazar SuisseMuseums, studios & shops