National day this year conveniently falls on a Friday, but for those not escaping the country for a long weekend getaway, there will be plenty to do to mark the occasion. Delano has put together a non-exhaustive list of things to do and places to go for you to plan ahead.
Official line-up
If you fancy a glimpse of the royal family and some pomp and circumstance, official proceedings kick off on 22 June with a changing of the guard at the grand ducal palace in Luxembourg City at 4pm.
The and will be visiting Grevenmacher between 5-7pm, with the pair choosing a different commune every year to visit on the eve of national day. and on the other hand are due for their annual visit to Esch-sur-Alzette at the same time.
The royals will make their way back in time to the capital where a torchlit procession starts around 9.30pm, finishing before the big fireworks launched from Pont Adolphe from 11pm.
Grand Duke Henri (r.) and Crown Prince Guillaume pictured during the 2022 military parade. Libary photo: Nader Ghavami
It will be a short night as the grand ducal family, the government, lawmakers, representatives of the judiciary, the diplomatic corps and other officials gather for a national day ceremony at the Philharmonie at 10am.
Following the event, 21 cannon volleys are fired from the Fetschenhaff at 11am and the grand duke will inspect the annual military parade from 11.30am, which passes down Avenue de la Liberté.
Finally, the festivities close with a Te Deum--a religious service at the Notre Dame Cathedral--at 4.30pm. This service used to be main event but the government under prime minister (DP) introduced a secular ceremony, which has since been hosted in the morning.
City Sounds and Siren’s Call
The capital is once again putting on two days of free concerts for national day. The open-air event at the Glacis starts on 22 June with Belgian band Lost Frequencies, followed by Wade from Spain and closing with Flavour Trip from Luxembourg. Doors open at 5pm.
On 23 June, the city is pulling out all the stops, opening the night with Luxembourg acts Ice In My Eyes and Francis of Delirium before headliners The 1975 and closing the night with The Script. Doors once again open from 5pm.
Entry is free and there is no need to buy tickets, but place is limited so make sure to arrive early. Spaces for persons with disabilities are available.
The Siren’s Call festival returns to Neimënster on 24 June. Library photo: Nader Ghavami
If you have energy left after two days of partying, Neumünster Abbey will be playing host to the festival on 24 June. The line-up includes an eclectic mix of local and international bands, hailing from anywhere between Belgium and Benin.
The festival also comes with yoga and dance workshops, a creators’ market, food trucks and an afterparty at the Gudde Wëllen. Siren’s Call is a family friendly festival with free admission for children under 12 and a special Minimënster kids show and DJ workshops.
And for hip hop fans, Rotondes is hosting its on 24 and 25 June, celebrating all things hip hop, with gigs, workshops, exhibitions, a market and more.
Parties, Spillfest and going local
There is no shortage of parties to choose from to dance the night away on 22 June. Among the line-up in the capital is organised by the Gudde Wëllen at Place Auguste Engel.
Melusina and Thai restaurant Kin Khao at its city centre location are putting on special Duke’s night events, with popular spots like Hitch, Gotham or venues at the Rives de Clausen also tempting revellers with DJs, live music and more.
If you don’t fancy coming into Luxembourg City, numerous communes are hosting events the eve of national day as well as barbeques and get-togethers on the 23rd. Simply check what’s happening in your local municipality.
And if you are a parent looking for a place where your children can let off some energy while you recoup yours, Luxembourg City like every year is hosting its ‘Spillfest’ at the Kinnekswiss park in the city centre with games and activities for children.
A bit of history
And why, do you ask, is Grand Duke Henri’s birthday celebrated in June when it’s actually on 16 April?
Luxembourg since the end of the 18th century celebrates the birthday of its monarch, but in 1961 it was decided to make the day a fixture in the calendar instead of moving it with the reigning grand duke or grand duchesses’ birthday.
Grand Duchess Charlotte, who was on the throne at the time, was born on 23 January 1896, with the middle of winter hardly a time for festivities. So, a date in early summer was chosen--23 June--with hopes for better weather.