Swiss National Day: How We Celebrate August 1st as a Family in Switzerland

There’s something special about living in Switzerland on August 1st. It’s Swiss National Day — the one day the usually reserved, neutral country comes alive with lanterns, fireworks, folk music, and cheesy goodness (literally and figuratively).

As an expat family, we’ve slowly embraced the tradition, adding our own little rituals over the years. This year’s celebration felt extra heartwarming, and I thought I’d share our experience — along with some tips, outfit ideas, and budget-friendly finds — if you’re planning to join in or simply curious about what it’s all about.

So… What Exactly Is Swiss National Day?

Swiss National Day marks the birth of the Swiss Confederation in 1291, when the three original cantons — Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden — joined forces. Today, it’s a public holiday that feels more like a cozy community gathering than a giant national parade.

Most villages, towns, and cities celebrate it with bonfires, fireworks, music, local food, and a big sense of togetherness. It’s less commercial, more communal — and I think that’s what makes it truly beautiful.

Our Family Celebration This Year

This year, our little town organized a kids’ lantern walk, an open-air fondue night, and a lakeside fireworks show. We went with our neighbors, who brought their children too — and somehow it felt like the whole community showed up.

We arrived around 6 PM, grabbed plates of rösti and sausages, and let the kids run around with paper flags. The live music created the perfect Swiss vibe. Even our youngest stayed awake, wide-eyed and clapping.

I’ll be honest — August 1st is now one of our favorite days of the year.

What You’ll Typically See (and Hear!)

If you’re planning to go to an event next year, here’s what’s usually on the agenda:

• 🎇 Fireworks: Every town has their own, and they’re usually scheduled between 9–10 PM.

  
  

• 🔥 Bonfires: Many communities light bonfires on hills or fields — a centuries-old tradition.

  
  

• 🎶 Live music: Folk bands, alphorns, and sometimes yodeling (yes, really).

  
  

• 🏮 Children’s lantern walks: Especially popular in villages. We found lanterns at Migros and Manor in their seasonal sections.

  
  

• 🧀 Cheese, sausages, bread: Think cervelat over a grill, raclette, or 1. August Weggen (a round white bread bun with a Swiss cross).

What We Wore (Red + White, of Course)

There’s no dress code, but everyone wears red and white — the national colors. Some kids wear traditional Swiss costumes (Tracht), but I usually go for something easy and comfortable:

This year’s outfit:

• Red cropped pants from Zalando

  
  

• White tee from H&M Switzerland

  
  

• Swiss flag scarf I grabbed from C&A Switzerland

  
  

For the kids, we found Swiss flag tees at Decathlon. Everything was affordable, and honestly, it made us feel festive without going overboard.

Where to Find Events

Every Gemeinde (local council) posts their celebration info, but you can also find great event listings here:

• MySwitzerland.com

  
  

• Local.ch

  
  

• Expat and parent Facebook groups (they’re very active in July)

  
  

• Swissinfo.ch

  
  
  
  

Larger cities like Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne have bigger shows, but we prefer the smaller village ones — fewer crowds, more connection.

Decorations and DIY Vibes

We decorated our balcony this year with paper lanterns and little flags. It cost under CHF 20 thanks to the seasonal aisle at Migros.

Here’s what we used:

• Battery LED tealights (safer for kids)

  
  

• Swiss flag garland

  
  

• Reusable tablecloth with Swiss symbols

  
  

All found locally or ordered via Micasa.

Pro tip: Buy your decorations mid-July when they first show up in stores. They disappear quickly!

Food You Can’t Skip

The food is half the fun on August 1st. If you're hosting your own backyard party or joining a picnic-style event, here’s what I recommend:

• Cervelat sausage — cut crosswise on both ends, grilled

  
  

• Rösti — crispy, golden Swiss potatoes (my favorite comfort food)

  
  

• Cheese fondue or raclette — This portable raclette grill is amazing if you want to recreate the vibe at home

  
  

• Fruit tarts — often plum or mixed berries

  
  

• 1st August Weggen — pick it up from Coop or Migros bakeries

  
  

We kept things simple: grilled cervelat, bread, pickles, some salad, and berry cake from Coop — and nobody complained!

New to Switzerland? Here’s What to Know

I remember our first August 1st as newcomers. Here’s what I wish I knew back then:

• ✅ Show up: Even if you don’t speak much German or French, it’s okay — people are kind and welcoming.

  
  

• ✅ Bring cash: Not all stalls take cards.

  
  

• ✅ Check canton rules: Fireworks and bonfires may be banned in some areas due to fire risk.

  
  

• ✅ Dress in layers: It cools down a lot after sunset.

  
  

Also, don’t feel awkward going to community events solo — we met some lovely people just by sitting at the long communal table.

Why We Love It More Every Year

Swiss National Day has become a family tradition. We now:

• Take a family photo each year with our Swiss flags

  
  

• Light one candle per family member at sunset

  
  

• Let the kids make their own paper lanterns (Pinterest has great templates)

  
  

Even though we weren’t born here, we feel a real connection on this day — and that’s something we’re grateful for.

Final Thoughts: Simple, Heartfelt, and Worth Celebrating

Swiss National Day may not be as flashy as some other national holidays, but it’s honest, warm, and deeply rooted in community. For families, it’s a beautiful chance to slow down, connect with neighbors, and enjoHow do you celebrate Swiss National Day? Share your favorite foods, events, or memories in the comments — I’d love to hear from other families and expats!y a slice of Swiss heritage.

So if you’re living in Switzerland — whether for one year or a lifetime — mark your calendar for next August 1st. And maybe we’ll see you at the next lantern parade

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