August 1 – National Day 2026 in Interlaken

Experience August 1 in Interlaken with its many traditional customs. At Kursaal Park, 28 paragliders will present the 26 cantonal flags in flight, kicking off the festivities in Interlaken. This will be followed by a grand folklore parade and a folk festival on Stadthausplatz featuring various folklore performances. The children’s torchlight procession in the evening will bring this day full of Swiss tradition to a fitting close.


Program Information for August 1, 2026

11:00 a.m.
Reception, various folklore performances, and a welcome address by Tourism Director Daniel Sulzer in the Kursaal Garden (in the Kursaal in case of inclement weather). Flyover by 28 paragliders and presentation of the cantonal flags. We are pleased to invite all guests and the local community to the traditional August 1st aperitif.

3:15 p.m.
Grand folklore parade (corner of Des Alpes & Du Nord – Höheweg – Bahnhofstrasse – Interlaken West train station roundabout – Stadthausplatz Unterseen via Bahnhofstrasse).

3:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Folk festival on Stadthausplatz in Unterseen featuring traditional music and performances by various clubs, with a festival food stand.

8:00 p.m.
August 1st celebration on Stadthausplatz in Unterseen (in case of bad weather, the event will be held in the Unterseen Church).

9:00 p.m.
Lantern parade (lanterns):
– Interlaken: starting at the Catholic Church
– Matten: starting at the village square (across from Coop)
– Unterseen: starting at Stadthausplatz
The parade ends at Höhematte

9:00 p.m.
Lighting of the Wanni bonfire at Harder, Unterseen.

9:15 p.m.
Open-air concert by the Interlaken Unterseen Music Association in front of the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.

10:00 p.m.
Grand fireworks display at Höhematte.

Entertainment at many hotels and restaurants.

The parade will take place regardless of weather conditions. The Höheweg (from Postplatz to Hotel Du Nord) will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:00 a.m. on August 1 until 6:00 a.m. on August 2.

For more information on the festivities throughout the Interlaken vacation region:
www.interlaken.swiss/1.august

(Subject to change due to weather conditions)


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.