What's on: Switzerland's national celebrations

To commemorate the birth of the Swiss Confederation in 1291, every city, town and village will be holding some kind of celebration. Although dry weather and the threat of forest fires have forced some cantons to ban off-the-record displays, be prepared to witness the alarming sight of purposeful kids armed with bangers, rockets and jumping jacks. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the larger organized events scheduled around the country.

National celebration on the Rhine, Basel, July 31

Like many, this one has sensibly been programmed a day in advance, presumably to cater for that extra day of hangover recovery. Over 100,000 people expected to attend the firework display.

Lungerersee lake-side event, Lungern/Schönbüel, July 31

Organizers are pushing "hot fondue" at this celebration but beware! If you really must indulge in a pot of molten cheese in the middle of summer, stick to drinking white wine or tea. Fondue provokes thirst, but attractive as it might seem, downing a swift pint or two is likely to cause serious gastric distress, and can even land you in hospital.

Feu au lac, Sierre, July 31

Cheeba, Moonraisers and Mark Kelly on stage in Sierre as well as a fireworks display with a decidedly African theme – hopefully organizers will have the foresight to ban the annoying vuvuzuelas.

Lake festival with firework display, Biel/Bienne, July 31-August 1

Yet more fireworks, more festival stalls and what not at this attractive little town, home of Swatch incidentally. For passengers from Zurich, the national railway network has lined up the distinctive scarlet “Churchill” train where you can order dinner etc.

National celebrations, Bern, August 1

The city is offering visitors a guided tour inside the federal parliament building where leaders of both houses will be taking questions. Aside from the pyrotechnics, a bonfire on Gurten mountain and a "Sea of Lights" display, the capital is also laying on a lantern parade, during which kids get free ice cream! And adults?

Other stuff

Stadtsommer, Zurich, July 29-August 7

Unusual concept here with six artists or bands playing live at a city location of their choice. Why did noone select the UBS bank vault on Paradeplatz? Purely for the accoustics mind.

Fetes de Geneve, 29 July-August 8

Plenty going on here in Geneva at this annual event including a pretty awesome fireworks display on August 7. Bands scheduled in include Dr. Feelgood (Line up has changed now, but check out this original vid from 1975, dripping with menace and attitude), The Animals with Spencer Davis, blues guitar player Tommy Emmanuel, Time Machine, William White and the Emergency, as well as the Crazy Canadians and the er, imaginatively named Peta Gammie and the Vegamates, yes from Australia.

The  Cult, Zurich, July 30

This post-punk, hard rock band has been around since 1983 and were originally schooled in the hard-knocks town of Bradford in Yorkshire, so Ian Astbury and the guys will have no problem negotiating the Zurich crowd at the Volkshaus. Special guest including and tickets still on sale.

Léman Tradition, Vevey, July 30-August 1

Boating extravaganza with vessels from the 19th and 20th centuries – at least some are, while others are replicas. Scheduled theme cruises or regattas for members of the public might be diverting.

Zurich Urban Festival, July 31

Open-air festival in the Zurich West zone – now one of the city’s trendiest spots apparently – with Xavier Naidoo and 2Raumwohnung.