Celebrations for the National Day of 1st August in Lugano

The celebration of the National Day of 1st August in Lugano is a particularly cherished event for local residents and gives visitors the chance to discover the traditions linked to this occasion.

The day’s programme will begin at 6:00 a.m., when the Tamburini Luganesi sound the reveille in the city centre. At 10:15 a.m. the Authorities will gather in front of the Town Hall on Piazza della Riforma and, escorted by the Corpo dei Volontari Luganesi, will walk to Piazza Indipendenza where, at 10:30 a.m., a laurel wreath will be laid at the Independence obelisk as a tribute to Lugano’s history. They will then return to the Town Hall courtyard where, at 11:00 a.m., the Filarmonica di Castagnola will give a concert.

The evening assembly of the Authorities and city associations is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. in Via Nassa; fifteen minutes later the procession will move along Via Nassa, Piazza Battaglini, Riva Vela, Rivetta Tell, Via Canova and Piazza Manzoni, ending in Piazza della Riforma. It will be led by officers of the Municipal and Cantonal Police, followed by the Corpo dei Volontari Luganesi, the Authorities and guests of the Municipality of Lugano, and local organisations and societies. On Piazza della Riforma, at 9:15 p.m., the City Councillor of Lugano Raoul Ghisletta will deliver the keynote address. This will be followed at 9:45 p.m. by a concert from the Civica Filarmonica di Lugano.

At 10:30 p.m. fireworks will light up the Gulf of Lugano. The grand pyrotechnic show, themed “Sparks of Joy”, will be staged by the Ticino‑based company La Pirotecnica Sagl di Colombo, which continually strives to minimise the environmental impact and noise of its displays. All shell casings are made from rice paper or ordinary paper that is 100 % biodegradable, as is the protective plastic. Sound emissions comply with the limits set by the European Union and Fedpol (international CE regulations).

If bad weather is forecast, the show will be postponed to the following day and the programme may change. Announcements will be made via radio, television, the press and the Lugano Region information office: +41 58 220 65 00.

Evening musical entertainment is provided by the Lüganiga Band, which will close the evening parade and give two concerts in Piazza Manzoni: one at 6:00 p.m. and another after the fireworks.

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