Impérial Annecy Festival
Jazz, classical music and humor at the Impérial Palace d'Annecy
About Impérial Festival
The Impérial Annecy Festival: the elegance of a multidisciplinary festival
Born in 2016 within the walls of the mythical Impérial Palace, a historic palace on the shores of Lake Annecy, the Impérial Annecy Festival has quickly established itself as one of the essential cultural events of the summer in Haute-Savoie. Driven by the PVG group, which manages the Impérial Palace, this festival elegantly combines three artistic disciplines: jazz, classical music, and humor.
The exceptional setting of the Impérial Palace — a listed Belle Époque building, surrounded by landscaped gardens with panoramic views of the lake and mountains — gives the festival a unique atmosphere, halfway between the relaxed vibe of a summer festival and the refinement of a gala evening.
A program between jazz, classical, and humor
Each edition offers around twenty shows spread over ten days in August. The program is structured around three pillars:
Jazz
Jazz holds a central place in the programming, with concerts ranging from vocal jazz to gypsy jazz, including jazz fusion and big bands. Renowned national and international artists perform in the Salle de l'Europe or outdoors in the gardens of the Impérial Palace.
Classical Music
The classical segment features recitals, chamber music concerts, and orchestral performances in the remarkable acoustics of the Salle de l'Europe, offering a striking contrast to the more relaxed atmosphere of the jazz evenings.
Humor
The festival also includes comedy shows, offering one-man performances and comedy nights that add a touch of lightness and conviviality to the program.
A festival accessible to all
One of the unique features of the Impérial Annecy Festival is that half of its shows are free, allowing all audiences to enjoy quality concerts in an exceptional setting. Paid shows remain very affordable, with prices ranging from 12 to 30 euros. The festival also organizes a winter edition, the Impérial Christmas Festival, offering three evenings between Christmas and New Year.
Impérial Festival — edition 2026
The 11th edition of the Impérial Annecy Festival takes place from August 18 to 28, 2026, at the Impérial Palace in Annecy, by the lake. Around twenty shows combining jazz, classical music, and humor, half of which are free to access, featuring Benny Green, Camille Berthollet, Nemanja Radulović, Peter Cincotti, Philippe Caverivière, and Édouard Baer.
11th Edition — August 18 to 28, 2026
For its 11th edition, the Impérial Annecy Festival offers around twenty shows combining jazz, classical music, and humor, in the exceptional setting of the Impérial Palace in Annecy, between lake and mountains.
Each evening is organized around two events: a free discovery concert at 18h on the terrace-bar (no reservation required), followed by an evening show at 21h in the Salle de l'Europe. Half of the program is thus free to access.
The 2026 program brings together international jazz headliners (Benny Green, Carmen Bradford, Peter Cincotti, Francesca Tandoi), classical music (Camille Berthollet, Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens, Les Deux Pêcheurs around Offenbach), and humor (Philippe Caverivière, Ménopause, Édouard Baer).
Programme Impérial Festival 2026
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- 18h — Djoukil Jazz Band · Discovery Concert (free)
- 21h — Benny Green · Jazz (VIP show)
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- 18h — Rusan Filiztek · World Music (free)
- 21h — Camille Berthollet · Classical (VIP show)
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- 18h — Ella Rabeson 4TET · Jazz (free)
- 21h — Carmen Bradford 4TET · Jazz (VIP show)
Friday, August 21, 2026
- 18h — Azahar · World Music (free)
- 21h — Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens · Classical (VIP show)
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- 18h — People Aki! · Ska (free)
- 21h — Philippe Caverivière · Comedy (VIP show)
Monday, August 24, 2026
- 18h — Flamesnil Jazz Party · Jazz (free)
- 21h — Francesca Tandoi · Jazz
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- 18h — Swing ChroniQ · Jazz (free)
- 21h — Peter Cincotti · Jazz (VIP show)
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
- 18h — Jour de Fête – Haut les Cœurs · Festive (free)
- 21h — Ménopause · Comedy
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- 18h — Aïda Nosrat · World Music (free)
- 21h — Les Deux Pêcheurs (Offenbach) · Operetta
Friday, August 28, 2026
- 18h — The Magic Beam Sisters and Robert · Festive (free)
- 21h — Édouard Baer · Comedy (VIP show)
Highlights Impérial Festival 2026
- 11th edition by Lake Annecy, at the Impérial Palace
- Around twenty shows combining jazz, classical, and humor
- Half of the program with free access (discovery concerts at 18h)
- Headliners: Benny Green, Camille Berthollet, Nemanja Radulović, Peter Cincotti, Philippe Caverivière, Édouard Baer
Prices Impérial Festival 2026
Practical information — Impérial Festival
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Impérial Palace is located at avenue d'Albigny, 10 minutes from Annecy town center. Free parking on site.
By bus: Sibra line, "Impérial" stop.
By train: Annecy station then a 20-minute walk or bus.
Prices
- Free concerts: approximately half of the shows
- Paid concerts: from 12 to 30 EUR
Ticketing
Book online at digitick.com/imperialpalace, at the Impérial Palace, or at the Annecy Lake Tourist Office.
Schedules
Concerts generally start at 6:30 PM or 8:30 PM depending on the evening.
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Where does it take place — Impérial Festival
Impérial Palace — Salle de l'Europe
Allée de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy, 74000 Annecy