St.Gallen's nightlife is definitely influenced by its university with a healthy bar and nightclub scene. During summer, most venues offer open air catering on the sidewalks or squares. Every year, St.Gallen hosts the town festival and the OLMA, a cultural fair that offers a wide range of local food, drink and entertainment.

But famous in town are the parties organized by student clubs of the University of St.Gallen. Whilst the traditional student associations meet several times each week for social events, two student clubs have the sole purpose of partying and having fun: The Ausländerclub – better known as AC – organises the well-known "bad taste party" you should not miss. The Festverein is also organizing events like pub tours, barbecues and bowling.

Party enthusiasts might also pay a visit to Zurich and enjoy the local party scene that caters to any need, may it be fine dining, salsa dancing, hot house beats in trendy clubs or a refreshing drink in one of Zurich's upscale bars.

In June, the university's student union organizes the Unifest, which is the official university party. It is organized only once a year and students can dance on campus until the early morning hours.