I'm organizing a small private party - something special for just a handful of people on a rooftop

I want to get some fireworks to set off - I'm from UK and over there I had some good contacts with events type of guys where I could easily go and find this stuff

In Switzerland, does anybody know of a physical shop I can go to that specializes or sells fireworks and that they have some knowledge about them also so I can choose the rights type of one's for my little party?

I'm willing to travel anywhere I have to for them - would be easier if it's in a city as I'll travel by train - don't drive

It's going to be outside / in the night / on rooftop - I have some special flowers arrange on the rooftop lining it and I want to do some fireworks - it needs to be kind of special/romantic night - if anyone else has other idea's please shoot but if anyone knows any firework dealers I would be really happy - especially if they are firework specialists

You can investigate some tips in these previous threads:

Fireworks - Bonfire night

buying fireworks

Anything in Zurich for August 1?

There are only 2 days (nights actually) that fireworks are allowed to be set off in Switzerland, they are 1. of August and New Years Eve. Anything beyond that would most likely require you to obtain some sort of permit from your Gemeinde.

lol are you serious? God - rules rules rules

Even in your own back garden?

What's gonna' happen if they see a firework go off? The police will come or the fire brigade?

I am not kidding.. but yes the police might very well come..! as mentioned you do indeed need to get permission.. unless you are lucky and have no neighbors..!!

Erm, yes actually - if someone complained the police would come round and stop you and then if you're lucky you'd get a telling off, if unlucky you'd get a fine.

Having said all that, I went to a party around 5th November this year where we set some off and didn't get caught. But then it was in the garden of a detached house with a lot of trees surrounding, they were relatively low/"quiet" and all the neighbours were at the party anyway so nobody to report us.

What about Chinese lanterns? Would you be permitted to have those?

You can order fireworks in any Drogerie / Droguerie / Druggist

When I was working in Milan an Italian manager said to me
"You see it's like this; in Switzerland everything is forbidden unless it's allowed, whereas here everything is allowed until it's forbidden"

Like this? I hope they would be allowed...

I thought those ones were only homeopathic fireworks, - they look like ordinary fireworks but don't do anything.

I'm actually glad you need a permission.

Can you imagine how annoying it would be if everybody who had some "special birthday" and the accompanying party going would opt for a fireworks?
Even if it's on the weekend - you might actually want to get up early the next day, for skiing or whatever...
Switzerland has so many rules because it's such a small and densely populated country. You can't have a laissez-faire policy under these circumstances.
It's not Texas where you can't hear the shooting from the next ranch.

I feel like an old fuddy-duddy but that's exactly what I was thinking too.

I like the idea that the importance placed on the comfort of many (even pets) exceeds the enjoyment of a few. Thankfully our cat is a bit nonchalant about fireworks (although she hides under the bed from the noise of church bells sometimes), not all pets are the same, plenty of them are quite bothered by loud noises.


Meanwhile, just because permission needs to be requested, doesn't necessarily mean it will be denied.

Who knows, maybe you'll be allowed, likely with the stipulation to stick within certain parameters though (only x distance from buildings and between y to z times). I'm sure you (hollisterb) can appreciate the need to be conscientious toward your neighbors.

The chinese lanterns I meant were the sky ones - they have fuel in them and they float up into the sky.....

Live life bud just go for it! stick to the more visual selection of fireworks instead of the noisey ones and youll be right. there are kids setting them off everywhere!

Have a good party

I'm glad you need permission, I use to work for a pyrotechnik firm and I know how much trouble random fireworks can be.
For those that want to get up early to go skiing it could be really annoying I am sure.... even more so if you tend to work the most hours on weekends.....
I can't hear the next ranch here but there is a moderately loud shooting range nearby..