Alphorn demonstrations in front of the Matterhorn — can it be anymore Swiss? | Image: Zermatt
Every August 1, Switzerland celebrates its birthday. Bonfires blaze on Alpine ridgelines, fireworks illuminate mountain lakes, alphorns echo through ski villages, and nearly every resort hosts its own festivities. If you happen to be visiting Switzerland this week, there may be no better place to celebrate than in the mountains.
August 1 marks Swiss National Day on which the country commemorates the signing of the Federal Charter of 1291. The charter was an alliance entered between the three original “forest cantons” of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. The alliance was inspired by the legendary Rütli Oath (German: “Rütlischwur”), which was made famous in Friedrich Schiller’s play William Tell. It saw the three cantons form an alliance against the oppressive, landowning Habsburg nobility and laid the foundations for what would eventually become the Swiss Confederation. While historians acknowledge Switzerland’s formation was a gradual process spanning centuries, August 1 has been celebrated as the country’s birthday since 1891 and became an official national holiday in 1994.
Every town, village, and mountain community hosts its own festivities on August 1. Visitors can expect a range of customs and festivities, such as alphorn performances, yodelling, Swiss flag throwing, village markets, children’s lantern processions, political speeches, raclette and bratwurst stalls, and, once darkness falls, spectacular bonfires and fireworks that illuminate the Alps.
There may be no better place to celebrate than the country’s many mountain resorts.
Zermatt: Celebrating Beneath the Matterhorn
Few places could provide a more iconic backdrop for Switzerland’s birthday than the Matterhorn. In Zermatt, celebrations actually begin on July 31 with a family festival around Leisee. Children’s concerts, entertainment, and musical performances give way to the annual Street Festival along Bahnhofstrasse, where restaurants spill into the streets and live music keeps the celebration going well into the evening. This year, performers include Mattiu, Valentino Vivace, Linda Elys, and Swiss singer-songwriter Dodo. To help everyone enjoy the festivities, the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway is even operating a special late-night train from Zermatt to Brig after the celebrations conclude.
On August 1 itself, the atmosphere becomes more traditional. The morning begins at Leisee with performances by the Zermatt Alphorn Society and the Matterhorn Music Society, followed by a devotional service and the official National Day address before concerts continue throughout the afternoon. Restaurants across the village also serve special National Day menus, making it easy to spend the entire day celebrating.
Come and enjoy some typical Swiss food at the market stalls. | Image: Zermatt
Crans-Montana: Two Days of Alpine Celebration
Crans-Montana arguably hosts one of Switzerland’s most ambitious National Day programs. Festivities begin on July 31 with food markets, brass bands, children’s workshops, live concerts, floating violin performances in the illuminated Jardins d’Ycoor, and DJ sets that continue until midnight.
The celebrations continue all day on August 1 with traditional reveille through the streets at dawn, roaming alphorn players, flag throwing demonstrations, Swiss folk dancing, children’s lantern-making workshops, parades by historic Grenadier groups, official ceremonies, and evening concerts before a spectacular multimedia show over Lac Grenon combining fountains, lasers, water screens, lighting effects, and live violin and piano performances. Free shuttle buses operate throughout the evening, making it easy for visitors to move around the resort without worrying about parking.
Samnaun: A Graubünden Tradition
Over in Graubünden, the duty-free village of Samnaun, which is joined with Austria’s Ischgl in winter, celebrates National Day with an old-fashioned village festival. Throughout the day, visitors can wander a traditional village market, enjoy live music, family entertainment, demonstrations, children’s activities, and regional food before gathering for the official National Day address. This year, the keynote speech will be delivered by Marcus Caduff, President of the Government of Graubünden.
As evening falls, bonfires and fireworks complete the celebration against the dramatic mountain backdrop.
Laax: Lakeside Celebrations
Laax keeps things simple but festive with its annual celebration beside Lake Laax. Live music, dancing, food, drinks, entertainment, and an official ceremony create a relaxed community atmosphere that’s perfectly suited to one of Switzerland’s best-known freestyle and mountain biking destinations.
Lenzerheide: National Day at 7,621 Feet
If you’re looking for a uniquely Alpine experience, Lenzerheide is taking the celebration to the summit. The mountain restaurant atop Piz Scalottas, sitting at 2,323 metres (7,621 feet), hosts a special Swiss National Day dinner overlooking the Graubünden Alps. Guests can enjoy an elegant menu featuring beef tenderloin, truffle potato gratin, pumpkin risotto, and chocolate desserts while celebrating Switzerland’s birthday above the tree line. It’s hard to imagine many better dinner views anywhere in the country.
Verbier: Music Meets the Mountains
In Verbier, Swiss National Day falls into the internationally renowned Verbier Festival, which runs from late July to early August, bringing world-class classical musicians to the Alps. If classical music is your thing, what better way than to listen to live music during the day and enjoying the fireworks at night. For those looking for traditional celebrations, there will be the usual Kermesse de Verbier fun fair with food stalls, alphorn demonstrations, DJ sets, folk music, and more.
Come for the classical music, stay for the food stall and fireworks. | Imagea: Kermesse de Verbier
Saas-Fee: Ski in the Day, Yodel at Night
Glacier ski resort Saas-Fee only reopened for summer skiing last week, making it one of the few places in the world where you can celebrate Switzerland’s birthday with turns on snow before heading into the valley for the festivities. Across the Saastal, each village hosts its own celebration. Saas-Balen kicks things off on July 31 with yodelling, traditional drum and pipe performances, a keynote address by Valais State Councillor Franziska Biner, and a village barbecue. On August 1, Saas-Grund hosts a folklore parade, live music, traditional performances, and celebrations for the community’s youngest citizens, while Saas-Almagell features a procession of local associations, an official National Day speech, dancing, and a fireworks display. Saas-Fee itself rounds out the celebrations in the village square with food, drinks, and festivities in the heart of one of Switzerland’s highest mountain resorts.
These are just a selection of festivities happening in Switzerland. Every village and resort will have its own celebrations, so no need to travel for a specific event as it’s nationwide. If you happen to find yourself in the Swiss Alps this week, don’t rush back to your hotel after your hike or bike ride. Explore your local village, grab a bratwurst, listen to an alphorn echo across the mountains, watch the bonfires ignite on distant ridgelines, and stay for the fireworks. You won’t just experience Switzerland — you’ll experience one of the most Swiss days of the entire year.
Happy Swiss National Day!
Swiss flag garland flying in Verbier. | Image: Kermesse de Verbier