National Day in the Canton of Bern

Celebrate Switzerland’s birthday on the Bundesplatz with a free programme from 11 am to 11.30 pm. 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.

On 1 August, Swiss traditions take centre stage in Interlaken. In Kursaal Park, 28 paraglider pilots open the celebrations carrying the flags of all 26 cantons. This is followed by a large folklore parade and a festival on Stadthausplatz in Unterseen. An LED lantern parade and the "Interlaken SkyMagic" drone show above the Höhematte at 10 pm bring the day to a close. There will be no hilltop bonfires or fireworks display.

Celebrate Swiss National Day in Grindelwald, at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Around the village church and on Eiger+ Nordwandplatz, brunch, concerts, alphorn music, traditional costumes, a torchlight procession supervised by the local fire brigade, and a Trychler parade create a festive atmosphere. At 10.30 pm, a spectacular drone show replaces the traditional fireworks and brings the evening to a grand finale.

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 electric candles, all set against the stunning backdropf of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

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 5 pm and enjoy food, drinks and a relaxed get-together in the open air. From 7 pm, musical entertainment creates a festive atmosphere. The planned Swiss cross made of torches above Brienz, towards Axalp, has been cancelled. The evening culminates with a fireworks display over Lake Brienz at 9.50 pm.

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.

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.

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. 

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.