What’s Happening in Nyon for Swiss National Day 1 August 2025

@Ville de Nyon

Looking for a local way to celebrate Swiss National Day this year? Nyon has a full day of activities planned for Friday 1 August, starting with a morning gathering and ending with fireworks by the lake.

Morning Ceremony

Things kick off at 10:15 a.m. on the Esplanade des Marronniers with an ecumenical celebration (a religious event or service that involves or is open to people from different Christian denominations). After the ceremony, the Municipality will offer a free aperitif for everyone. If it rains, the event moves indoors to the town hall at Perdtemps.

Evening Events

Festivities resume in the evening at the same location with another aperitif at 7:45 p.m., accompanied by the Nyon Municipal Band. Children will be given small Swiss flags to wave.

The official ceremony begins at 8:25 p.m. with speeches, music, and the traditional reading of the Federal Pact of 1291. Mayor Daniel Rossellat will preside over the official programme, opened with the ringing of church bells and musical accompaniment by the band. Muriel Cardinaux, President of the Municipal Council, will read the Federal Pact of 1291, followed by a patriotic prayer, a pastoral message from Pastor Sarah‑Isaline Golay (EERV), and a patriotic address by Jean Studer. The ceremony concludes with the Swiss national anthem.

Procession and Fireworks

At around 9:15 p.m., a torchlit procession led by the band will make its way through town to the Place des Fêtes de Rive. Expect some road closures along the route. Once at the Rive, the evening continues with food stalls, drinks, music, and dancing organised with the support of local lakefront associations. The fireworks and bonfire will start at 10:15 p.m., and Nyon Castle will be lit up in red and white to mark the occasion.

A Quick Look at the History

The 1st August is Swiss National Day, an official National Holiday since 1994. It celebrates the day in 1291 that the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden signed the Letter of Confederation, pledging to help each other in the case of an attack.There are many ways of celebrating this day throughout the country within the cantons and each one has their own unique ways; brunch at your local farm, traditional musical performances, parades, bonfires, fireworks, children carrying lanterns with the Swiss flag and friends and families getting together.

Happy Swiss National Day From Living In Nyon!