National Day in the Canton of Bern

Celebrate Switzerland’s birthday on the Bundesplatz with a free programme from 11am to 11.30pm. There are concerts, yodelling in the Bern Minster, Open Piano, open doors at the Parliament Building and free mini city tours. Children can paint, play, watch theatre, make lanterns and join the lantern parade. The large grill for shared barbecuing and local food stalls complete the celebration.

Celebrate 1 August in Interlaken with a wide range of traditional customs. In Kursaal Park, 28 paragliders carrying the flags of Switzerland’s 26 cantons open the festivities. This is followed by a large folklore parade and a public celebration on Stadthausplatz featuring a variety of traditional performances. A children’s torchlight procession, several bonfires on the surrounding hills (cancelled) and the fireworks display complete this day full of Swiss tradition.

At the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Grindelwald offers a spectacular setting for Swiss National Day. Around the village church and on the Eiger+ Nordwandplatz, brunch, concerts, alphorn sounds, traditional costumes and a torchlight and Trychler parade create a festive atmosphere. The spectacular fireworks display at 10.30pm rounds off the day.

Join the 1 August celebrations in Mürren, one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Switzerland. At the Alpine Sports Centre Mürren, music, entertainment and a festive food area await. In the evening, enjoy delicious food, traditional sounds and a lantern parade with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Looking for something quieter? The historic Alpinhotel Grimsel Hospiz and Hotel Handeck in the unique Grimselwelt offer a 1 August special including overnight stay. It includes a surprise aperitif, a 5-course menu with Swiss specialities and a generous breakfast buffet the next morning.

Experience Swiss National Day with an atmospheric boat trip from Thun on Lake Thun. On board, enjoy a 3-course menu from the ship’s kitchen. The highlight is the view of the fireworks around Lake Thun, set against an impressive mountain backdrop.

Come by from 5pm and enjoy the relaxed open-air atmosphere with food and drinks. From 7pm, musical entertainment sets the mood. Weather permitting, an impressive Swiss cross made of torches will be lit (cancelled) above Brienz towards Axalp at around 9.30pm. The grand finale is the fireworks display over the lake at 9.50pm.

Above Frutigen lies Elsigenalp. At Berghaus Elsigenalp, two options await on 1 August: a generous Bärgzmorge, a traditional Swiss mountain breakfast with regional products, or a grill buffet from 6pm, with an extra valley descent at 10pm. The visit can also be combined with an overnight stay. The team on site will be happy to show you the best spots to admire the many bonfires (cancelled) in the Engstligen Valley.

Start the day with a generous brunch at Bühlerhof in Lenk. The Bühler family and Lenk music societyLenk invite you to enjoy a hearty buffet with homemade Züpfe, Lenk specialities and musical entertainment. Enjoy regional products right where they are made with dedication, hard work and passion. Bühlerhof is located on Oberriedstrasse and is easy to reach from the village centre of Lenk. 

Spend 1 August in a lesser-known spot: on the beautiful Rinderberg, the sunny terrace high above Zweisimmen. At the grill festival, enjoy fine regional specialities, traditional live music, a crackling grill fire, fresh mountain air and wonderful views of the Simmental and the surrounding mountains. Play options and plenty of space for children make the day perfect for families.

Celebrate the Swiss National Day with a hearty brunch and enjoy an unforgettable day full of folk entertainment on the family mountain Wispile.

Celebrate Swiss National Day right by Lake Biel with Latin sounds and internationally known acts. On 1 August, this year’s line-up features Nicky Jam and Grupo Niche: Nicky Jam is one of the big names in reggaeton, while Grupo Niche is one of Latin America’s legendary salsa bands.