Every summer, Villars-sur-Ollon transforms into an open-air stage for Switzerland’s National Day. This year, 31 July and 1 August bring a packed programme of brass bands, yodellers, fireworks and folk parades, for all ages.
Swiss National Day on 1 August is one of the most anticipated events of the Villars summer. Sitting at 1,250 metres above sea level, the resort becomes the beating heart of the Vaud Alps for a long weekend. Streets come alive from Friday evening, squares fill with flags, and the sound of alphorns echoes down into the valley below.
For residents and holidaymakers spending the summer in the Alps, it’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in our Swiss traditions while enjoying the resort’s exceptional setting.
Full programme
| FRIDAY 31 JULY · 5:30 PM–1:00 AM | ||
| PLACE DU MARCHÉ | ||
| 6:30–8:00 pm | Live RTS recording – Le Kiosque à Musique, hosted by Jean-Marc Richard | |
| 8:15–9:00 pm | Enzian folk orchestra | |
| 9:15 pm–midnight | Take One | |
| PLACE DE LA GARE | ||
| From 6:30 pm | L’Etivaz cheesemaking demonstration chalet | |
| PLACE DU CHALET (OPPOSITE VILLARS TOURISME) | ||
| 5:30 pm–1:00 am | Benjee’s · Chicago Boys Band · DJ Brice Patchet | |
| PLACE CENTRALE | ||
| 6:00 pm–1:00 am | DJ | |
| PLACE 2021 | ||
| 5:30 pm–1:00 am | Redubtion Sound · Echo Dna · Dub Central · Hi3pp | |
| AVENUE CENTRALE | ||
| 6:00 pm | Parade of the Vaud Militia Artillery Battery | |
| 5:30–10:00 pm | La Chtague – street brass band | |
| SATURDAY 1 AUGUST · 10:00 AM–1:00 AM | ||
| PLACE DU MARCHÉ | ||
| 11:00 am–12:30 pm | Live RTS broadcast – Le Kiosque à Musique, hosted by Jean-Marc Richard | |
| 1:00–3:00 pm | Enzian folk orchestra | |
| 4:30–11:00 pm | Flashback live concert | |
| PLACE DE LA GARE | ||
| From 12:30 pm | L’Etivaz cheesemaking demonstration chalet | |
| PLACE DU CHALET (OPPOSITE VILLARS TOURISME) | ||
| 9:30–10:30 am | Ecumenical service | |
| 11:00 am–3:00 pm | Lausanne Yodellers · Benjee’s | |
| 4:30 pm–1:00 am | Chicago Boys Band · DJ Brice Patchet | |
| TROTTOIR DES DRAPEAUX | ||
| 10:30 am–1:30 pm | Classic car exhibition – Villars Automobile Club, vintage tractor & mono-axle society of La Forclaz | |
| PLACE 2021 | ||
| 4:00–11:00 pm | Markkelly & The Peacefull · Warriors · Dub Central · Asher Selector · Whydah Sound | |
| PLACE CENTRALE | ||
| 1:00–4:00 pm | Nostalgic Band | |
| 4:00 pm–1:00 am | DJ | |
| AVENUE CENTRALE | ||
| 1:45 pm | Parade of the Vaud Militia Artillery Battery | |
| From 1:00 pm | Alphorn society & flag throwers · Lausanne Yodellers Club · Halberdiers of Villars · Folk dance groups: Le Cylamen de Roche & L’Alouette d’Héremence | |
| 3:15 pm | Folk parade – Petit Mont (Bristol) → Chesières, Place du Rendez-vous | |
| 9:00 pm | Torchlight procession – departs Place Centrale | |
| 9:30 pm | Official ceremony and bonfire – Place « Sous les Drapeaux » | |
| 10:00 pm | Fireworks display | |
Something for every age
Friday 31 July, 4:00–9:30 pm · Saturday 1 August, 11:00 am–8:00 pm
Tennis court, Maison de la Harpe: inflatable castles and circus-games workshops. Admission: CHF 5 per child for the day.
The heartbeat of a summer in the Alps
For those lucky enough to own or rent a property in Villars, the 1 August celebrations are the centrepiece of the mountain summer. It’s a reminder that life at altitude is as vibrant as it is beautiful — and that even when owners can’t be there in person, the community that makes Villars so special is very much alive.