National Day in Luxembourg: June 23

Luxembourg has a strong sense of national identity. Every year, all residents of the Grand Duchy come together to celebrate Luxembourg’s National Day on June 23. From solemn ceremonies to public gatherings, this festive day holds great significance for all residents of Luxembourg, whether they are Luxembourgish citizens or not.

History and Traditions of June 23 in Luxembourg

The National Day is a powerful symbol of Luxembourg’s unity.

History of Luxembourg’s National Day

Luxembourg’s National Day has been celebrated since the 18th century as the birthday of Luxembourg’s sovereign, the Grand Duke. It is known as “Groussherzogsgebuertsdag” or “Nationalfeierdag” in Luxembourgish.

The date has changed significantly over the years, depending on the reigning sovereign. The date of this National Day was set as January 23 in 1919 with the accession to the throne of Grand Duchess Charlotte, an iconic figure in Luxembourg’s history. In 1947, National Day became a public holiday in Luxembourg.

Since 1961, National Day has been celebrated on June 23. The start of summer and the milder weather allow people to enjoy the festivities to a greater extent.

The Grand Ducal Family at the Heart of National Celebrations

H.R.H. the Grand Duke and H.R.H. the Grand Duchess, along with the entire royal family, play a central role in the National Day celebrations. Traditionally, the festivities begin the day before, on June 22.

While the streets of the capital come alive with mini-concerts, a solemn changing of the guard takes place in front of the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City around 4 p.m. The Grand Duke and his wife then travel to a municipality in Luxembourg outside the capital. They subsequently attend the traditional torchlight procession.

On June 23, the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-Kirchberg is the venue for official ceremonies. Starting at 10 a.m., the Prime Minister and H.R.H. the Grand Duke deliver official speeches before the guests. The Grand Duke then presents honors in the Civil and Military Order of Adolphe of Nassau to certain citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The festivities then continue with a traditional 21-gun salute in honor of the Luxembourg sovereign. H.R.H. the Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duke then review the troops during a military parade. The parade concludes at Place de la Constitution, with the Gelle Fra in the background. The Grand Ducal family then watches the festivities from an official grandstand set up on Boulevard F. D. Roosevelt, at the corner of Rue de la Congrégation.

A solemn Te Deum Mass is then held at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City. This religious ceremony takes place in the presence of members of the royal family, government representatives, and distinguished guests. It symbolizes the close bond between the state and religion in Luxembourg. The national anthem, “Ons Heemecht”(translation: “Our Homeland”), is sung. The lyrics, written by the Luxembourgish poet Michel Lentz in 1859, are a call for peace.

Popular Celebrations for National Day

All residents of the country, regardless of their nationality, take part in the many National Day festivities.

Street entertainment, a torchlight procession, and fireworks on June 22

On the eve of National Day, the festivities begin in Luxembourg City and throughout the country’s municipalities. These two days are marked by joy, popular entertainment, and music, featuring concerts of all kinds and DJ sets. The streets of the capital are usually filled with street bands and live concerts. The Place du Glacis, particularly in the Limpertsberg neighborhood, comes alive with the sounds of local and international bands. In the evening, a torchlight procession (“Fakelzuch”) takes place through the streets of Luxembourg City. A variety of activities and small street vendors also contribute to the capital’s festive and friendly atmosphere.

A magnificent “Freedefeier” fireworks display lasting nearly 20 minutes is then set off from the Adolphe Bridge at 11:00 p.m. The event attracts nearly 100,000 people each year , who come from all over the Greater Region to attend. For a front-row view, head to the Gare neighborhood (Place de Metz), Hollerich, Place de la Constitution, or the Viaduct (Al Breck). Fans of electronic music can head to the Champ du Glacis for a new edition of City Sounds, featuring an open-air stage on June 22 and 23. Admission is free. They can also choose the more prestigious setting of Neumünster Abbey for a special “Beyond Music” evening dedicated to the “Night of the Grand Duke.”

Festive events on June 23 in Luxembourg

All municipalities across the country are also actively participating in this celebration. First, a “Te Deum” is sung in every church nationwide. Following the mayor’s address to the townspeople, citizens can take part in a wide variety of festivities in each municipality. The Army is also celebrating at Place des Martyrs. The public can admire the military vehicles and enjoy a friendly get-together.

Once again this year, children can enjoy the Spillfest, or Games Festival, on Kinnekswiss in the Ville-Haute neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Food and drinks are available on site. Residents of all nationalities are cordially invited to join in the festivities. Check with your local municipality for the program. On this day, Luxembourg truly shines as a multicultural nation!

We wish you a wonderful National Day!!

Does June 23 make you want to explore the Grand Duchy’s cultural richness even further? Don’t miss the Museum Days in Luxembourg, which are especially popular because admission is free.

Don’t missMuseum Night either—it’s a great chance to visit museums in a festive and unique atmosphere.

Please note that traffic into the city will be particularly heavy. Many streets will be closed, and the tram will not be running on the entire stretch between Hamilius and the train station. Plan to arrive early or use the shuttle buses provided by the municipalities.