Celebrate National Day: Join the Festivities for the Grand Duke's Birthday in Luxembourg!
It's National Day in Luxembourg! This celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday is a great opportunity for everyone to gather for festivities organised across the entire country on the 22nd and 23rd of June. Every year, people come together to show their connection to the Grand Duchy and celebrate their home and its traditions. A perfect occasion for two days filled with concerts, fireworks, games for children, and commemorative ceremonies.
Popular festivals galore
The ceremonies will get under way at 4 p.m. on June 22nd with the traditional changing of the guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace. An honorary detachment from the Luxembourg Army participates in the event. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Luxembourg Military Band.
This day is also an opportunity to meet members of the Grand Ducal families: while the Grand Ducal couple visits a different town in Luxembourg each year, the Hereditary Grand Duke, accompanied by his wife, always visits the country's second-largest city, Esch-sur-Alzette.
Torchlight procession and fireworks
The eve of Luxembourg's National Day is above all a time for festivities. Numerous popular events are organised across the entire country. The programme is so loaded that wherever you are, you can be sure that you will be among the festivities.
One of the main events of the evening is undoubtedly the Fakelzuch (torchlight procession). This is a parade where national and local associations march together through the City of Luxembourg and pass by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. The popularity of this tradition is evident not only in the size of the torchlight procession, which counted around 2,500 participants last year and stretched over half a kilometre, but also in the variety of participating groups. From scouts to sports clubs to brass bands and folklore groups, various associations participate in this parade, reflecting the diversity of Luxembourgish society.
The evening's stunning finale takes place at 11 p.m., as the sky above the Adolphe Bridge bursts into flames with a spectacular fireworks display. A long-awaited moment by thousands of people each year!
Ceremonies, parade and events
The programme for National Day starts on 23rd June at 10 a.m. with an official ceremony at the Luxembourg Philharmonie. The Grand Ducal family attends, along with deputies, government officials, and the public. First and foremost, it is an occasion for the Grand Duke, the Prime Minister and the President of the Chamber of Deputies to address the nation. Another highlight is the presentation of awards to deserving Luxembourgers.
It goes without saying that the Philharmonie goes hand in hand with concerts. In fact, the official ceremony ends with music played by the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the honour of creating this musical piece goes to a different composer. This year's chosen piece is by David Laborier, a Luxembourgish guitarist, jazz musician, and music professor.
The ceremony in the Philharmonie is followed by the traditional 21-gun salute fired in the Grand Duke's honour.
At noon, the ceremonial drill and military parade on the Avenue de la Liberté (also known as Nei Avenue) always draw crowds, with spectators lining the boulevard to watch the troops march. Representatives of the army, police, customs, Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps, as well as the prison administration, Red Cross and music bands of the Grand Duke Adolphe Union participate in the parade. Luxembourg military planes fly over the parade at low altitude.
The official programme ends with the traditional Te Deum in the late afternoon at Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral, attended by members of the Grand Ducal family.
Entertainment for everybody
- On top of the official ceremonies, there is the traditional and very successful Spillfest (games event) on the Kinnekswiss, a large green area amidst the City's Municipal Park. This event, which takes place on June 23rd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., provides an opportunity to discover some unusual educational games offered by a number of associations and artists. Attendance is free of charge.
- On June 22nd and 23rd, the City Sounds event transforms the Champ du Glacis into an open-air festival. With a diverse line-up featuring renowned artists, it offers a vibrant atmosphere for music lovers.
- For fans of military vehicles and uniforms, the army organises its Arméifest (army festival) on the Place de Metz. There, the army displays military vehicles and systems and you can enjoy a friendly drink.
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