My husband and I will be traveling to Switzerland this summer but are still deciding our itinerary. We do know that we will be there on 1 August and wanted to see if anyone knew of any special celebrations in the Berner Oberland or surrounding areas (we're flexible and would even go to Luzern or Zurich?) that we could check out?
Thanks!
Christen
Swiss National Day in Berner Oberland
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I enjoyed the parade in Zürich, the speech given afterward by the lake, and the food from many different cantons at the stalls there.
I am pretty sure Bern has nice celebrations, too. Probably in the parliament building as well (tours). I doubt there will be something special in Wengen or so.
Hi kalikiana,
Thun on Lake Thun has a nice celebration, a lake cruise with dinner and fireworks. I was in Gstaad last year on National Day and almost went.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Ooh, both sound like excellent options!! Thanks so much!
a bit far afield perhaps but a few hours train and boat ride over the Brunig Pass from Interlaken and then by boat from Alpnachstad or other port would take you to the epicenter of Aug 1st celebrations I understand - the Rutli Meadow laying high above gorgeous Lake Lucerne - you can do a short hike up there from the Rutli boat dock - Rutli of course being the place where the Swiss Confederation was born one Aug 1st eons ago.
http://www.swissworld.org/en/culture/seasonal_customs/national_day/
Has a description of Aug 1st celebrations - notes that at Rutli the Swiss Federation President always addressed the crowd.
Wengen has a big parade through the center of the village (pretty much all the residents are in the parade!) and fireworks.
Dear kalikiana
You will find in almost every place a celebration of the Swiss national day. The bigger the city the bigger are the clebrations. In villages normally you will find more traditional celebrations with Jodelsongs, Alphonrs, big fires on the mountain summits etc. In bigger cities the celebrations aren't that traditional rural, but mostly got bigger fireworks.
Be aware that some city already celebrate on 31st July, because on 2nd of August people have to work again.
Enjoy 1st August.
pb