August 1: Swiss National Day
For most people, 1 August means fireworks, garden barbeques and brunch. Children can be seen parading through the streets with paper lanterns and people light candles in their windows. The Swiss celebrate their national day with village festivities, with gatherings throughout the country around bonfires in public places, listening intently to speeches about 1291, the start of the Swiss Confederation. Municipality-organised fireworks symbolise the expulsion of the foreign bailiffs in the 14th century. Swiss pride is eminent everywhere, from the flags flying from public and private buildings, to Swiss flag decorations on bread.
National day is definitely an occasion to experience with the locals when living in Switzerland. Thousands of people attend festivities in the largest cities (Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern and Lugano). The main celebrations take place at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen and at the Ruetli Meadows along Lake Lucerne.