Summer in Chamonix has a rhythm to it. The lifts open, the trails dry out, and the valley starts filling up with people who have been waiting for this since February. But it is the events that give the season its shape. Some weeks feel calm and local. Others the whole town is buzzing, the streets full of runners or spectators or festival crowds spilling out of Parc Couttet into the evening.
If you are trying to decide when to come, or simply want to know what will be happening while you are here, this is your guide to the summer calendar.
June
Chamonix Film Festival, 10 to 14 June
Now in its sixth edition, the Chamonix Film Festival has established itself as one of the more thoughtful events in the summer calendar. Around twenty mountain films are screened over five days, with sessions at the Vox Cinema alongside free open-air screenings at Parc Couttet. There are workshops, debates and the chance to meet alpinists and filmmakers in a setting that feels genuinely connected to the subject matter. Worth arriving early for the outdoor screenings to get a good spot.
Roger Frison-Roche tribute evening, 17 June
An evening at the Vox Cinema in partnership with the new Musée du Mont-Blanc, marking the 120th anniversary of the legendary French mountaineer and author. Film screenings and a guest speaker presentation led by Catherine Cuenot. Free admission but limited seating, so worth arriving early.
Chamonix Alpine Pastures Discovery Day, 20 June
The Association des Alpages de la Vallée de Chamonix organises a full day of talks and conversations at Le Majestic, starting at 9am. It brings together alpine farmers, historians, glaciologists, mountain professionals and landscape engineers for a deep-dive into the valley’s pastoral heritage. Free to attend.
Marathon du Mont-Blanc, 25 to 28 June
One of the great trail running weekends in the Alps. Nearly 10,000 participants spread across eight race formats, from a highly technical 92km with 6,300m of elevation gain down to more accessible distances for those just getting into mountain racing. The organisation has a strong commitment to sustainability: half the race bibs are reserved for participants travelling by public transport, and 10% go to local valley residents arriving by train, bus, foot or bicycle. The atmosphere in town over this weekend is excellent whether you are racing or not.
July
Arc’teryx Alpine Academy, 2 to 5 July
Now in its 14th edition, the Arc’teryx Alpine Academy brings thousands of mountain enthusiasts to Chamonix for four days of technical workshops, film screenings, keynote speakers and concerts. The base is at Parc Couttet, with activities running across the valley. A good week to be here if you are interested in alpinism or simply like being around people who take the mountains seriously.
Climbing World Cup, 10 to 12 July
Chamonix hosts Lead and Speed climbing on the World Climbing circuit at Place du Mont-Blanc. Free to watch, with some of the world’s best competition climbers going head to head against the backdrop of the massif. Speed climbing in particular is worth seeing once: two athletes racing simultaneously up a standardised wall, with results often decided by fractions of a second.
Musée du Mont-Blanc opens, 11 July
The new museum opens its doors to the public on this date. We have covered this in detail in our What’s New in Chamonix: Summer 2026 post, but if you are in Chamonix around this date it is a genuinely significant opening and worth making time for.
Argentrail, 19 July
A more intimate race than some of the valley’s bigger events, the Argentrail is a 27km trail with 1,700m of elevation gain starting from the village of Argentière. It can be run solo or as a relay. Smaller field, great atmosphere and beautiful views of the massif throughout.
CosmoJazz, 20 to 25 July
One of the highlights of the Chamonix summer and genuinely unlike any other festival. Now in its 16th edition, CosmoJazz brings free concerts into extraordinary high-altitude settings across the valley: La Flégère, Planpraz, Loriaz and Le Tour during the day, all accessible by lift or on foot, then down to Parc Couttet in the evenings. Created by André Manoukian, the festival spans world music and jazz, and the combination of live performance and mountain landscape is something that is difficult to describe and easy to love. Free and open to everyone.
August
Les Aigles du Léman at Prarion, 19 July, 5 August and 19 August
Three times this summer, the summit of Prarion above Les Houches hosts a free birds of prey demonstration with Les Aigles du Léman. Running from 11.30am to 4.30pm on each date, it is a good reason to take the Prarion lift and spend a few hours up high — the views across to Mont Blanc are reason enough on their own. Demonstrations are subject to favourable weather, so check conditions before heading up.
Les Houches Village Festival, 2 August
A convivial day in Les Houches with guided hikes, family entertainment and a giant community feast shared between locals and visitors. Relaxed and genuinely local in spirit.
Nuit des Ours, 5 to 12 August
Over in Vallorcine, the Nuit des Ours is a week of live performance, music, theatre and debate in the open air, culminating in a nocturnal procession with performances under the stars. One of the more unusual events in the valley’s calendar and worth the short train ride from Chamonix.
Fête des Guides, 12 to 15 August
The Fête des Guides has been marking the relationship between Chamonix and its mountain guides since 1924. This year’s celebration has a particular focus: a special evening at Les Gaillands dedicated to women in mountaineering, marking the 150th anniversary of the first winter ascent of Mont Blanc by Isabella Straton and her guide Jean Charlet on 31 January 1876. The wider festivities run across all four days, with the party at Les Gaillands lake a highlight for families and evenings out alike.
UTMB, 24 to 30 August
The week that transforms Chamonix. The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc brings the world’s best trail runners to the valley for eight races across the week, culminating in the main event: 176km, 10,000m of positive elevation gain, through France, Italy and Switzerland. Even if you are not running, the atmosphere in town during UTMB week is extraordinary. The start and finish on the streets of Chamonix, runners coming in at all hours, crowds gathered at the finish line in the early hours of the morning. It is one of those events worth experiencing at least once, even as a spectator.
September and October
Trail des Aiguilles Rouges, 27 September
The final major race of the summer season passes through the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, strictly limited to 650 runners to protect the Nature Reserve. The main course covers 50km with 4,000m of elevation gain. Two shorter formats are also available: the P’tit TAR at 16km and the Mini TAR at 9km.
Chamonix Crystal Fair, 18 October
The 25th annual Bourse des Cristalliers at the Majestic Centre, where expert crystal hunters display and sell their finest discoveries from the Mont Blanc massif. Rare alpine minerals including red fluorites, smoky quartz and gwindels. An unusual and absorbing afternoon.
Chamonix Photo Festival, 23 to 25 October
A good note to end the season on. The Photo Festival celebrates the natural world through immersive exhibitions, film screenings and meet-and-greets with photographers. There are professional masterclasses, children’s workshops and a photography competition.
Planning around the calendar
If you are flexible on timing, it is worth knowing that July and UTMB week in late August are the busiest periods in the valley. Accommodation books up early for those weeks in particular. June and September are often quieter, the hiking is excellent and the valley feels more like itself.
Take a look at our full range of chalets and apartments across the valley, or check our current special offers. And if you want the full picture of what else is new in the valley this summer, our What’s New in Chamonix: Summer post covers the openings, new restaurants and everything that has changed since last year.
