The Freddie Celebration Days 2025 brought thousands of fans from around the world to Montreux from 4 to 7 September for four days of music, tributes and festivities around the iconic statue of Freddie Mercury on the shores of Lake Geneva.
This free event once again transformed the city into a unique meeting place to celebrate Freddie's life and musical legacy.
The opening day set the tone with a variety of entertainment, including Queen-inspired Zumba sessions, DJ sets and acoustic concerts, before the official ceremony in the evening. Bands Queen Thunderbolt & Lightning and KING rocked the stage, and fans gathered at midnight to honour Freddie.
Friday, his 79th birthday, was marked by cruises on the lake hosted by Peter Freestone, a meet-and-greet with photographer Denis O'Regan, and a grand birthday ceremony in the afternoon. The highlight of the day was the highly anticipated concert by DSR, who rocked the stage in front of an enthusiastic audience, followed by a moving candlelight show paying tribute to Freddie and Norbert Muller, the event's creator.
On Saturday, the audience particularly enjoyed the concert by Crazy Little Things, followed by a parade along the quays, circus performances, a flash mob and the Queen Silent Disco, which once again attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd. On Sunday, the tributes continued with a choir, young artists, exclusive talks about Queen and a closing concert by One Vision.
Throughout the weekend, the main partner of the Freddie Days 2025, World of Freddie, welcomed fans under the covered market with a wide range of activities. On the World of Freddie Stage, a special conference was held on Sunday with Peter Freestone and Jim Jenkins, during which many personal items that once belonged to Freddie were presented.
Once again, Montreux came together to celebrate the legend of Freddie Mercury with emotion and fervour.
A boat tour led by Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for 12 years.
An original way to discover some places of interest related to Freddie Mercury and admire the town of Montreux from the lake.
Opening of the bar, food-trucks and playing of music
A temporary tattoo stand awaits you under the covered market. Come and meet Mélanie from M Lotus Art, who will offer you a selection of designs to enhance your body for a moment... or a weekend!
Come dance in a festive atmosphere and recharge your batteries after those wild nights!
This Zumba class, entirely dedicated to the musical world of Freddie and Queen, will be led free of charge by Renata Alboredo, founder of the IHDP – Institut Humaniste de Développement Personnel (Humanist Institute for Personal Development).
All information about her activities is available here: www.ihdp.ch
Live set by Larry & Lurex, DJs from Saturday night’s Queen Silent Disco.
They will perform early in the evening on the main stage for what promises to be a memorable concert. But before that, the band will meet you on the Lake Stage with an acoustic set specially designed for the occasion.
An intimate moment not to be missed!
The Swiss band Lord of Queen invites you to experience a cult moment: sing along to Queen's greatest hits... with a real live band!
Want to sing, play guitar, bass or drums? Join them on stage and rock the Place du Marché to the sound of Queen!
https://lordsofqueen.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/lordsofqueen
https://www.instagram.com/lords.of.queen/
David Ozguler captivated the audience in the 2021 and 2023 editions with his heartfelt, stripped-down interpretations of hidden gems from Queen’s repertoire, performed with just his voice and guitar.
He returns this year with the same energy and purpose: to bring Queen’s music to life in a different way, away from the big hits, exploring lesser-known songs that are just as powerful.
In the presence of a few VIPs, we will officially open the festivities for these Freddie Celebration Days 2025.
Queen Thunderbolt & Lightning is a Queen tribute band, renowned for its faithful and energetic performance of the legendary British group.
Their show stands out with a spectacular stage production, recreating Queen’s original performances with sophisticated lighting and authentic scenography. Their repertoire includes Queen’s greatest hits, rare tracks, and fan favorites, offering a unique experience that captures the passion and power of Queen’s live sound.
www.queenthunder.com
https://www.facebook.com/queenthunderlive
https://www.instagram.com/queenthunderlive
KING is a French band that pays tribute to Queen, delivering interpretations of the British band’s classics with a hard rock twist. Their energetic performance and ability to reinvent Queen’s iconic songs have earned them notable recognition.
After a highly acclaimed performance at the Freddie Celebration Days in Montreux in 2023, KING is back to set the stage on fire with their unique style. Their repertoire includes Queen’s greatest hits, reimagined with renewed intensity and power, offering fans a truly one-of-a-kind musical experience.
This year, KING returns with a brand new set, built around an original theme: Queen, hard rock and film pop culture. We won't tell you any more... Surprises guaranteed!
http://www.kingcoverqueen.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kingcoverqueen
Join us in front of his statue to celebrate Freddie Mercury's birthday, at midnight sharp!
A boat tour led by Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for 12 years.
An original way to discover some places of interest related to Freddie Mercury and admire the town of Montreux from the lake.
Denis O’Regan: Through the Lens of Queen – An Exclusive Experience
Step into the fascinating history of Queen through the lens of Denis O’Regan, a renowned photographer who has captured some of the biggest names in rock. From David Bowie to The Rolling Stones, via Duran Duran, Pink Floyd, KISS, AC/DC, and many more, he has worked with the legends of music.
In this exclusive talk, Denis will share his unique memories of Queen, from his first photographs of the band in 1975 to their final show with Freddie Mercury at Knebworth in 1986. He will unveil rare, unseen images and reveal behind-the-scenes stories from Live Aid and the iconic A Magic Tour.
A rare opportunity to see Queen from a unique perspective, told by one of the greatest rock photographers of all time!
Come dance in a festive atmosphere and recharge your batteries after those wild nights!
This Zumba class, entirely dedicated to the musical world of Freddie and Queen, will be led free of charge by Renata Alboredo, founder of the IHDP – Institut Humaniste de Développement Personnel (Humanist Institute for Personal Development).
All information about her activities is available here: www.ihdp.ch
Live set by Larry & Lurex, DJs from Saturday night’s Queen Silent Disco.
David Ozguler wowed the crowd at the 2021 and 2023 editions by performing songs from Queen's repertoire on guitar and vocals, and accompanying anyone who wanted to sing along!
He's back this year with the same energy and the same goal.
Do you like to sing? Do you dream of performing on the stage in front of a crazy crowd? Then try your luck by meeting David during the day!
He's easy to find, he'll always have his guitar with him.
To celebrate Freddie Mercury's 79th birthday, Confiserie Zurcher invites you to a celebration in Montreux.
A birthday cake will be specially made for the occasion and will be offered to the population and to the fans of Freddie Mercury who came to celebrate the birthday of their idol.
http://www.confiserie-zurcher.ch
Local wine, offered by the town of Montreux, will also be served to the participants.
A big thank you to them!
A tribute concert to celebrate 30 years of Made in Heaven
An exceptional event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of Queen's last album, Made in Heaven. Recorded with Freddie Mercury's last vocal takes before his death, this album has a very special link with the town of Montreux, where it was finalised.
For the occasion, the album will be performed in its entirety by the Swiss band Bristol 4.
A unique concert not to be missed!
Dios Salve a la Reina (also known as God Save the Queen) is an Argentine band formed in 1998, recognized as one of the greatest Queen tribute acts in the world.
Invited to perform in Montreux in 2006, the band caught the attention of the many notable personalities present, including David Richards, Peter Freestone, and Jim Beach, Queen’s historic manager, who described their performance as breathtaking. Since then, Dios Salve a la Reina has established itself as a leading reference and now performs in some of the largest stadiums in Latin America.
To celebrate the 20th edition of the Freddie Celebration Days, but above all, to pay tribute to its founder, Norbert Muller, who formed a deep friendship with the band, the Argentinians have accepted our invitation to perform once again in Montreux. As part of their 2025 world tour, they will make a special stop to set the stage on fire once again.
https://www.dsr.com.ar/
https://www.facebook.com/GodSaveTheQueenOK/
https://www.instagram.com/GodSaveTheQueenOK/
Mané, David Oz and Christophe Farin - all three regulars at the festival - will be bringing us a unique concert: The Candlelight Concert that Brian May and Kerry Ellis performed in 2013 during the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Emotions guaranteed by candlelight with a programme of Queen songs but not only...
This concert will also be a tribute to Norbert Muller, founder of Freddie Celebration Days.
Come dance in a festive atmosphere and recharge your batteries after those wild nights!
This Zumba class, entirely dedicated to the musical world of Freddie and Queen, will be led free of charge by Renata Alboredo, founder of the IHDP – Institut Humaniste de Développement Personnel (Humanist Institute for Personal Development).
All information about her activities is available here: www.ihdp.ch
Live set by Larry & Lurex, DJs from Saturday night’s Queen Silent Disco.
They will perform in the late afternoon on the main stage for what promises to be a memorable concert. But before that, the band will meet you on the Lake Stage with an acoustic set specially designed for the occasion.
An intimate moment not to be missed!
"The Hungarian Freddie Mercury Celebration Dance Team". Has been doing Queen flashmobs since 2019.
The Snick circus school, which offers circus classes for young people in the region, will present a brand new show featuring around thirty talented young performers.
On the programme: acrobatics, stilts, solowheel, unicycle, diabolo and many other surprises!
For more information: https://snick.ch/
The Swiss band Lord of Queen invites you to experience a cult moment: sing along to Queen's greatest hits... with a real live band!
Want to sing, play guitar, bass or drums? Join them on stage and rock the Place du Marché to the sound of Queen!
https://lordsofqueen.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/lordsofqueen
https://www.instagram.com/lords.of.queen/
Crazy Little Things is a Dutch Queen tribute band, founded by singer Marijn Geluk and drummer/music journalist Jean-Paul Heck. Known for their meticulous attention to detail, they masterfully recreate Queen’s grandiose sound and intricate harmonies, delivering a dazzling live experience.
Both Geluk and Heck are passionate Queen fans. Heck has interviewed Brian May and Roger Taylor multiple times and played a key role in bringing May to the Netherlands in 2010 to receive the Sena European Guitar Award.
https://www.thecrazylittlethings.nl/
https://www.facebook.com/crazylittlethingsqueen
https://www.instagram.com/the_crazy_little_things/
The Mercury Phoenix Trust and Montreux Celebration are joining forces for a unique moment at the Freddie Festival!
Meet at the Freddie statue by the lake on Saturday 6 September at 6pm to take part in the photo shoot, and THEN, for everyone attending Freddie Mercury's official birthday party, there will be a musical parade starting at 6.15pm in full carnival mode, making its way back up to the casino... All accompanied by The Band of Queen - Street Rock Band, dancers and the circus troupe Snick and Coquino.
So, whether you're partying at the casino or celebrating at the market square for the Queen Silent Disco, come and join the party and dress up in the name and style of Freddie Mercury!
This event, which is organized by the Mercury Phoenix Trust will take place at the Montreux Casino.
Our association Montreux Celebration, is a partner and supports this event but is not responsible for its organization.
Any further questions, please email the Mercury Phoenix Trust at nick@moonlightmile.co.uk
A boat tour led by Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for 12 years.
An original way to discover some places of interest related to Freddie Mercury and admire the town of Montreux from the lake.
Greg Brooks (Queen Archivist) & Jim Jenkins (Biographer)
Together, they will take you through key moments of Queen’s career with exclusive anecdotes and photos.
Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of the iconic music videos Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, and Friends Will Be Friends, featuring exclusive images and fascinating insights into their creation.
We will also celebrate the anniversaries of Bohemian Rhapsody, A Night At The Opera, and Made In Heaven, revisiting the impact of these legendary albums and the very first live performance of Bohemian Rhapsody in Liverpool, a historic moment that Jim personally witnessed.
This will be an informal relaxed hour with two of the world’s most acknowledged Queen experts, both of whom are huge fans first and foremost, with unparalleled knowledge of the band both on and off stage. Greg and Jim will share exclusive material, revealed only to the attendees of this conference, and answer any questions too.
Metallikids is a one-of-a-kind Swiss band, dedicated to introducing young audiences to the joys of rock and metal.
This show is specially designed for children, featuring inflatable guitars, allowing them to rock out with air guitar, join in on circle pits, and dive into the electrifying atmosphere of a real metal concert.
Composed of six passionate friends, their mission is to give rockers from 6 months to 666 years old an unforgettable first live experience in the world of metal. The band revisits classic hits of the genre with a playful twist and, of course, for this Montreux concert, they will deliver a set that will delight Queen fans… and more!
Each performance transforms into an immersive family celebration, fueled by infectious energy. Their contagious enthusiasm, combined with inflatable guitars and other fun accessories, creates a dynamic musical experience that captivates young and old alike.
As Montreux Celebration is committed to passing on the passion for good music from childhood onwards, we hope that many of you will come along, accompanied by your children, to share this metal moment with your family!
We strongly recommend that parents bring hearing protection (earplugs or ear defenders) for their children.
https://www.facebook.com/metallikidslive/
https://www.instagram.com/metallikids
The Band of Queen, a group of 6 professional musicians, will be bringing you a brassy rock show featuring all the hits from the legendary band. You can catch them at the market square for some unforgettable festive moments!
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Band-of-QUEEN-100088254557933/
The wish of every Queen fan is coming true! The World of Freddie team is ready to transport you back in time, allowing you to relive the magic of this legendary icon.
Immerse yourself in the experience! You’ll witness rare and valuable artifacts, explore intimate moments from Freddie’s life, smell his favorite perfumes, and gain a deeper understanding of the soul of an extraordinary man—private, shy, yet incredibly generous and loyal—who became a legend. Let yourself be taken back to the days of Freddie Mercury, when a significant chapter of music history was written.
Join us for a captivating talk show featuring Tomas Hykel, the visionary behind the project, and Peter Freestone, Freddie’s friend and personal assistant. Together, they will unveil the stories, inspiration, and passion that brought this one-of-a-kind exhibition to life.
Come and experience it! They provide you a deep journey inside Freddie’s soul. Live on stage in Montreux!
David Ozguler captivated the audience in the 2021 and 2023 editions with his heartfelt, stripped-down interpretations of hidden gems from Queen’s repertoire, performed with just his voice and guitar.
He returns this year with the same energy and purpose: to bring Queen’s music to life in a different way, away from the big hits, exploring lesser-known songs that are just as powerful.
The Snick circus school, which offers circus classes for young people in the area, will present a brand new show featuring around fifteen talented young performers.
The programme includes acrobatics, stilts, solowheel, unicycle, diabolo and many other surprises!
For more information: https://snick.ch/
Dive into the world of Queen with Chœur à Corps, an all-female vocal ensemble from Vevey directed by Claire Benhamou. After their first a cappella tribute in 2019 with Queens in Heaven, these 12 female voices are joining forces this time with the musicians of Lords Of Queen to give life to original arrangements, combining power and emotion.
For over 30 years, Chœur à Corps has been passionately combining song and dance. After the success of Éclats de vie at the Théâtre du Reflet, they are taking on a new challenge: to honour Freddie Mercury through little-known songs that are vibrant with freshness and femininity, sublimated by a stage direction by Carol Appréderis.
And to top it all off, the Swiss band Lords Of Queen, who brought the house down in 2024, are back with an exclusive concert!
A young English pianist to discover on stage, combining sensitivity and musical elegance.
One Vision is a Queen tribute band, renowned for its ability to faithfully recreate the energy and sound of the legendary British group.
The band stands out for its meticulous attention to detail, both musically and visually, delivering an immersive experience that pays tribute to Queen’s legacy.
Their repertoire spans a wide range of iconic songs, capturing the essence and passion of Queen’s original performances.
https://www.instagram.com/onevision.band
https://www.youtube.com/@OneVision.Channel
Guided tours and exclusive events are organised in Montreux, follow in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury!
Montreux Events is your preferred partner for organising public and private events in the Montreux-Riviera region.
The Mercury Phoenix Trust is fighting HIV/AIDS around the world, support their action!
