--- title: "Switzerland in August 2027: National Day, Weather, Crowds" description: "Switzerland in August 2027: how National Day is celebrated, Lucerne Festival and Street Parade dates, real temperatures, crowd patterns and lake days." url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-august" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/01M5J4124RNZ9CT3BGNYW1BQHS.D_dreahM_Z1KFi8a.jpg" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) 3. Switzerland in August: National Day, Lake Days and Summer Crowds [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) # Switzerland in August: National Day, Lake Days and Summer Crowds Switzerland in August 2027: how National Day is celebrated, Lucerne Festival and Street Parade dates, real temperatures, crowd patterns and lake days. By [Valentine Julien](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien), Global Manager · Published on October 22, 2026 · 5 min read ![Jungfraujoch, Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express](/_astro/01M5J4124RNZ9CT3BGNYW1BQHS.D_dreahM_28SQoe.webp) [Jan](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-january)[Feb](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-february)[Mar](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-march)[Apr](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-april)[May](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-may)[Jun](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-june)[Jul](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-july)[Aug](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-august)[Sep](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-september)[Oct](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-october)[Nov](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-november)[Dec](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-december) August in Switzerland opens with a birthday. On August 1, Swiss National Day, every village lights a bonfire, farms serve brunch and fireworks go up over the lakes; in 2027 it falls on a Sunday. The rest of the month belongs to the lakes and to music, with the Lucerne Festival from August 12 and Zurich's Street Parade on August 14. It is high summer: everything is open, the lakes are at their warmest, and the first half of the month is the busiest fortnight of the year at the famous summits. The second half of August is a different trip. Swiss schools go back in mid-August, northern European families head home, and the evenings cool. For a wider view of the seasons, see our [best time to visit Switzerland](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/best-time-to-visit-switzerland). ## August 1: how Switzerland celebrates its National Day Swiss National Day marks the alliance of 1291 between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, and it has been a federal public holiday since 1994. It is a local, almost village-scale celebration rather than a big parade: - **Bonfires on the hills** after dark, visible from lake shores across the country, and children walking with paper lanterns. - **Farm brunches** on the morning of August 1, when farms across the country open their barns for a long breakfast with local cheese, bread and Rösti. - **Speeches and music** in every town square, and a traditional ceremony on the Rütli meadow above Lake Lucerne, where the alliance is said to have been sworn. - **Fireworks the night before:** in 2027, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are lit up with fireworks on July 31 at about 9:45 p.m., subject to that summer's fire risk, and Basel holds its Rhine festival on the evening of July 31, with fireworks over the river at 11 p.m. in the 2026 program. In a dry summer, cantons can restrict fireworks and open fires, so we confirm the local program in the last week of July. Hotels in Lucerne, Interlaken and around the Rhine Falls fill early for July 31 and August 1. ## Lucerne Festival, Street Parade and the rest of the August calendar - **Verbier Festival:** its last concerts are on August 1. - **Lucerne Festival, August 12 to September 12, 2027:** orchestras and soloists in the KKL concert hall on the lakefront. The program is published at the end of January, and the best seats go quickly. The KKL is a modern building, far easier for wheelchair users than historic venues, and we request accessible seats when we book. - **Street Parade, Zurich, Saturday, August 14, 2027:** a huge techno parade along the lake basin. Zurich hotels are full and expensive that weekend, so we avoid it unless you are going. - **Zürcher Theater Spektakel, August 19 to September 5, 2027:** international theater and food stands on the Landiwiese by the lake. - **Gstaad Menuhin Festival:** concerts continue until September 4. - **Locarno Film Festival:** traditionally in early to mid August, with screenings on the Piazza Grande. The festival has considered moving to July from its 80th edition in 2027, and we have not seen the 2027 dates confirmed, so check before booking. ## Two halves of August From August 1 to about August 15, the Jungfraujoch, the Gornergrat, Lucerne's old town and the Lauterbrunnen valley see their peak numbers of the year, and Ferragosto on August 15 brings many Italian visitors to Ticino, the Engadine and Zermatt. Hotel rates are at their summer high. From mid-month, Swiss schools reopen, and while the summits remain busy with international visitors, the trains, boats and village streets become noticeably calmer. Where travelers have a choice, we book the last ten days of August rather than the first ten. ## August temperatures: warm lakes, cooling nights 1991-2020 averages calculated from MeteoSwiss station data. August is almost as warm as July, slightly cooler on average at every station: - **Zurich:** 75°F by day, 58°F at night (24°C and 14°C), about 215 hours of sunshine. - **Lucerne:** 76°F and 58°F (24°C and 14°C), with about 161 millimeters of rain, mostly as thunderstorms. - **Interlaken:** 75°F and 56°F (24°C and 13°C). - **Jungfraujoch weather station:** 38°F and 29°F (4°C and -2°C). - **Zermatt:** 67°F and 47°F (20°C and 8°C). - **Sils, Engadine:** 63°F and 44°F (17°C and 7°C). - **Lugano:** 80°F and 64°F (27°C and 18°C), with 248 hours of sun. - **Geneva:** 79°F and 58°F (26°C and 14°C). Daylight shortens fast: sunset in Zurich moves from 9:02 p.m. on August 1 to about 8:10 p.m. at the end of the month. ## Lake days: steamers, the Rütli and a swim August is when the lakes are at their warmest and their boats at their busiest. Lake Lucerne runs its summer timetable until September 5, 2027, with paddle steamers to Vitznau for the Rigi, to Alpnachstad for the Pilatus cogwheel railway, and to the Rütli landing. On Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, boats link Interlaken with the castles of Spiez and Oberhofen and the village of Brienz. On Lake Geneva, the Belle Époque steamers connect Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux and the Château de Chillon. For a swim, the lake baths of Zurich, Lucerne and Geneva are open, and in Bern and Basel, swimming down the Aare and the Rhine is a local summer ritual. We always point out where to get out of the river. ## What to bring for National Day and summit mornings - Light summer clothes, plus a fleece and windproof jacket for the summits and the cooler evenings later in the month. - A swimsuit and quick-dry towel. - Sunglasses, a hat and high-SPF sunscreen. - A rain shell for the afternoon thunderstorms. - Insect repellent for lake evenings and farm brunches. ## August trips we plan **National Day on Lake Lucerne.** Arrive in Lucerne for July 31, spend August 1 at a farm brunch and on the lake, then continue to the Jungfrau region and Zermatt, as in our [Switzerland in 7 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/7-days-in-switzerland-mountains-lakes-and-chocolate). **Lucerne Festival and the scenic trains.** Two or three concerts at the KKL in the second half of August, then the Jungfraujoch, Lavaux and the Glacier Express on a calmer schedule, following our [Switzerland by Train in 12 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate). **A family summer in the Alps.** Lake swims, a summer toboggan run, easy glacier views and short hikes with mountain playgrounds: our [family trips](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/trips/family) are paced for children, and our guide to [Europe with kids](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/family-friendly-europe-trips-parents-and-kids-love) covers ages and pacing. The crowds thin and the light sharpens in [Switzerland in September](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-september). Tell us whether you want the August 1 bonfires or the quieter end of the month, and we will plan around it: [start planning](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/plan-your-trip). More guides: [Month by month](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/seasons) ## Related destinations - [Switzerland](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/switzerland) ## Contents Written by ### [Valentine Julien](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien) Global Manager · Based in Villefranche-sur-Saône Grew up between the French and Swiss Alps; designs our scenic train and mountain itineraries and has strong opinions about hotels. [More about Valentine](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien) ## Trips for this guide - [![7 days in Switzerland : mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124MCR5WBXAPXY8BMN83.COn9YTWr_ZyK0QU.webp)**Switzerland in 7 Days: Lucerne, Jungfrau, Zermatt & Lavaux by Train**From €1,999 · 7 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/7-days-in-switzerland-mountains-lakes-and-chocolate) - [![Switzerland : 12 day scenic train rides, mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124NCCP82JJ7FY8RXAQ4.CeI7SiQJ_Z1oIPLB.webp)**Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express**From €3,499 · 12 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate) - [![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_ZKyIQy.webp)**Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days**From €5,499 · 14 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) When you’re ready, we’re ready ## Let us help you plan a trip that feels right Tell us what you’re dreaming about: dates, pace, who you’re traveling with, and what would make it special. A real person will get back to you with thoughtful ideas, not a generic pitch. ## Frequently asked questions ### What happens on Swiss National Day? August 1 is a federal holiday marked locally rather than with one big parade. Villages light bonfires on the hills after dark, farms serve a National Day brunch, towns hold speeches and concerts, and fireworks go up over the lakes. On the evening of July 31, the Rhine Falls and Basel hold their own fireworks displays, weather and fire risk permitting. ### Is August a good time to visit Switzerland? Yes, especially for lakes, hiking and music, since everything is open and the lakes are at their warmest. The first half of the month is the busiest and most expensive period of the year at the big summits. The second half, after Swiss schools reopen in mid-August, is calmer and our preferred window. ### What is the weather like in Switzerland in August? Warm in the lowlands and fresh in the mountains. Zurich and Lucerne average highs of about 75°F, Lugano and Geneva about 80°F, Zermatt 67°F and the Jungfraujoch 38°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are common north of the Alps, and evenings start to cool noticeably toward the end of the month. ### When is the Lucerne Festival in 2027? The Lucerne Festival summer season runs from August 12 to September 12, 2027, in the KKL concert hall on the lakefront. The full program is usually published at the end of January, and the most popular concerts sell quickly, so we book tickets as soon as sales open and build the rest of the trip around them. ## Plan this trip Day by day, with prices. Each one is reshaped around you. [All itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![7 days in Switzerland : mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124MCR5WBXAPXY8BMN83.COn9YTWr_Z1l0N9k.webp) 7 days / 6 nights ### [Switzerland in 7 Days: Lucerne, Jungfrau, Zermatt & Lavaux by Train](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/7-days-in-switzerland-mountains-lakes-and-chocolate) Six nights by train through Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt and Montreux: Pilatus, a free day in the Jungfrau region, sunset on the Matterhorn and a wine walk in Lavaux. Central 4-star hotels; a good first Switzerland. From **€1,999** per person ![Switzerland : 12 day scenic train rides, mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124NCCP82JJ7FY8RXAQ4.CeI7SiQJ_Z2aYD41.webp) 12 days / 11 nights ### [Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate) Eleven nights by train from Montreux to Zurich: Lavaux, the Chocolate Train, Jungfraujoch, Zermatt and the Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Well-placed 3-star hotels keep the price down; we upgrade one or two stops on request. From **€3,499** per person ![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_Z1wOw8X.webp) 14 days / 13 nights ### [Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) Thirteen nights from Zurich to Milan by train: Rhine Falls, kayaking on Lake Brienz, the Schilthorn, a via ferrata, Rigi, Lugano, Lake Como and the Borromean Islands. Central 3-star hotels; an active trip with full days. From **€5,499** per person ## More to read [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Ghent day trip, Belgium, Alsace & Switzerland by Train in 10 Days: Brussels to Zermatt](/_astro/01M5J4124FYFYZA5SGPJFKBG8A.BgWhDBfT_Z5KtFS.webp) Europe ### [Multi-Country Europe Itinerary: How Many Nights per Base, and 3 Routes](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/how-to-plan-a-multi-country-europe-trip-without-feeling-rushed) How to plan a multi-country Europe itinerary without rushing: our rule of nights per base, real train times between countries and three sample routes to copy. ![Mürren via ferrata, Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days](/_astro/01M5J4124K0FQ7ZEW6DPWAN21A.irLE_upM_2tmrrh.webp) Switzerland ### [Switzerland in July: Festivals, Heat and Every Mountain Open](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-july) Switzerland in July 2027: Montreux Jazz, Paléo and other festival dates, real temperatures by region, storms, crowds at the summits and where to swim. ![Lauterbrunnen 2](/_astro/01M5J4124R8K32Z29DNE73SQE9.D6L-GiC1_ZrEjKE.webp) Switzerland ### [Switzerland in June: Long Days, Full Waterfalls and Open Passes](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/switzerland-in-june) Switzerland in June: 16 hours of daylight, snowmelt waterfalls, pass opening dates of recent years, real temperatures by region, Art Basel 2027 and routes. 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