The highest open-air theatre in Europe
Tickets for "THE MATTERHORN STORY" are
available now!
New production of «THE MATTERHORN STORY»
After ten years the play "THE MATTERHORN STORY" by Livia Anne Richard will return to Europe's highest open-air stage in summer 2025. 160 years after the first ascent of the Matterhorn, audiences can look forward to a new production of this captivating and moving story this summer. The play will once again be performed on the Riffelberg at 2,600 metres above sea level. The story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn can be seen as the starting point of tourism in Zermatt and symbolises the pioneering spirit that is still alive in Zermatt today.
A brief historical review
Zermatt, 13 July 1865: at dawn a rope team of seven men sets off along the Hörnligrat in the direction of the Matterhorn. Their ambitious goal is the summit of the Hore, the only four thousander of the Swiss Alps which has not yet been conquered. On the following day, on 14 July1865 the men are really on the very top of this distinctive mountain. Their joy is great – but unfortunately too early… This day will, together with Edward Whymper, go down in history.
New staging with music concept by Wintershome and with live piano
In her play «THE MATTERHORN STORY» Livia Anne Richard emphazises the mostly unknown aspects of this dramatic story. She shows the real heroes who were then not in the limelight, but were on the contrary vilified. The play inspired the audience in the summer of 2015 – at the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn and evoked the attention of international media. Now this unique nature scenery on the Riffelberg will once again become the stage for a story based on facts. The author and director from Bern has revised the play for the staging of 2025, but «without changing its DNA», as she says. There are, however, several new characters in the play and there is a new music concept. It is realized by the local band Wintershome, in cooperation with the young Bernese pianist Elia Gasser, who will improvise live on stage every evening. Another novelty lies in the fact that the Bernese director Lilian Naef will for the first time co-direct with Richard.
Media Partners
Information about the production 2025
The information for the production in 2025 is updated on an ongoing basis.
Dates of performances
The play will run from 27 June to 23 August 2025 and you can find the exact performance dates here.
Dates of performances
The play will run from 27 June to 23 August 2025 and you can find the exact performance dates here.
Location
As in 2015 (world premiere of «THE MATTERHORN STORY»), 2017 («Romeo and Juliet on the Gornergrat») and 2019 («Matterhorn, No Ladies please!»), the play will be performed on the Riffelberg at 2,600 metres above sea level.
Discounted travel by car
Use the BLS car transport service from Kandersteg-Goppenstein and continue to Täsch. Here you change either to an electric taxi or take the railway to Zermatt.
We support your travel by BLS car transport service with a discount in the amount of CHF 5.–, available in the booking process.
Enter your discount code in the online shop in step 3 in the field provided. Redeemable only once in the online shop until 23 August, 2025. The loading ticket is valid until 26 August, 2025. The offer is limited and valid while stocks last.
Trains depart from Kandersteg and Goppenstein at xx.13 and xx.43 hours. And from Friday midday until Sunday almost every 10 minutes. Check the online timetable at bls.ch for departure times. The Zermatt Open-Air Theatre and BLS wish you a great experience on the Riffelberg and a safe journey.
Discounted travel by public transport - Event'n'Rail Freilichtspiele Zermatt
By train from your home to Visp and up to Zermatt.
We support your travel by public transport with a discount in the amount of CHF 10.-, available in the booking process.
Redeemable from 27 June to 23 August, 2025. The Coupon can be redeemed once for an outward journey or a return journey (on the same day) on sbb.ch or in the SBB app.
The availability of the codes is limited and the offer is only valid while stocks last. The discounted public transport ticket is only valid in combination with the theatre ticket. Both tickets must be presented together at a ticket inspection.
Gornergrat Railway up to Riffelberg
By Gornergrat Railway up to Riffelberg on the day of the performance: Zermatt – Riffelberg – Zermatt:
Please note, that this is an extra trip. Therefore, a ticket at the special rate of CHF 45.— for theatre visitors only, is necessary (GA, half-fare and day passes are not valid).
Would you like to take the opportunity to visit also the Gornergrat at the day of the performance? We offer you a special day ticket for only CHF 70.- (offer for theatre visitors only).
On Sundays and 1 August, the return trip to Zermatt will additionally be possible by Riffelberg Express (ZBAG). The special rate tickets are valid for both railways.
Both railway stations are in a few minutes walking distance from the theatre area. Please note that the valley station of the ZBAG is 15 minutes (walking distance) away from the main railway station in Zermatt.
Capacity of the grandstand
The grandstand has a capacity of 440 spectators.
Ticket Price
The ticket price is CHF 85.- per person, excluding train journey (extra journey at a special rate).
Gastronomy
In 2025, you will once again have the opportunity to complete your visit to the open-air theatre with culinary delights. The corresponding offer will be published shortly.
Overnight stay
Overnight stays in Zermatt can be booked via the new Zermatt Tourism marketplace.
Venue
A total of around 30 performers will be on stage. The majority of our ensemble comes from Zermatt and the Valais.
Service partners
Performance Dates
Friday, 27 June, 2025
Premiere – 7:30 pm (Not available)
Saturday, 28 June, 2025
Performance 1 – 7:30 pm
Sunday, 29 June, 2025
Performance 2 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 10 July, 2025
Performance 3 – 7:30 pm
Friday, 10 July, 2025
Performance 4 – 7.30 pm
Saturday, 12 July, 2025
Performance 5 – 19:30
Sunday, 13 July, 2025
Performance 6 – Matinée – 2 pm
Tuesday, 15 July, 2025
Performance 7 – 7.30 pm
Thursday, 17 July, 2025
Performance 8 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 18 July, 2025
Performance 9 – 7.30 pm
Saturday, 19 July, 2025
Performance 10 – 7.30 pm
Sunday, 20 July, 2025
Performance 11 – Matinée – 2 pm
Tuesday, 22 July, 2025
Performance 12 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 24 July, 2025
Performance 13 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 25 July, 2025
Performance 14 – 7.30 pm
Saturday, 26 July, 2025
Performance 15 – 7.30 pm
Sunday, 27 July, 2025
Performance 16 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 31 July, 2025
Performance 17 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 1 August, 2025
Performance 18 – Matinée – 2:00 pm
Saturday, 2 August, 2025
Performance 19 – 7.30 pm
Sunday, 3 August, 2025
Performance 20 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 7 August, 2025
Performance 21 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 8 August, 2025
Performance 22 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, 9 August, 2025
Performance 23 – 7.30 pm
Sunday, 10 August, 2025
Performance 24 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 14 August, 2025
Performance 25 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 15 August, 2025
Performance 26 – 7.30 pm
Saturday, 16 August, 2025
Performance 27 – 7.30 pm
Sunday, 17 August, 2025
Performance 28 – Matinée – 2 pm
Thursday, 21 August, 2025
Performance 29 – 7.30 pm
Friday, 22 August, 2025
Performance 30 – 19:30
Saturday, 23 August, 2025
Performance 31 – Last performance – 7:30 pm