Does anything get celebrated for 5th November by any chance??

Fireworks night???

Alice

That's really only a British-derived holiday. Nothing is done except by expats. Maybe one of them is doing something in your area.

Not seen any fireworks etc for sale about yet, but they had shed loads for sale before 'Swiss Day'
We are having a small party to celebrate as we also missed out on Halloween too!!
Have a fab evening whatever you do..

Sarah

In Switzerland? I think you will find fireworks are only allowed on 2 days per year.

Yes I believe that you need a license to let off fireworks on any other occasion...

Jim.

You have to contact the nearest police station and get a special permission.

Wow, they will practically help you blow off your own hands on the 1st of August but strictly regulate it the rest of the year??? Interesting.

Ja, one or two days a year is enough in Switzerland ........ for the animal welfare as well.

Halloween is an American festival?

I do know that the Guy Fawkes festival is British, something to do with celebrating the blowing up (or the fail thereof) of the parliament buildings, is that correct?

But never mind, there is the ancient Celtic thingy of welcoming Winter - The Räebelichtli Umzug, to look forward to. Just a candle-lit brigade of small children with their carved Turnips, winding thru villages, singing old traditional songs. (While the parents drink beer in the village pubs)

For those in the Geneva area, Guy Fawkes fireworks and bonfire here this Saturday evening!

Besides August 1, what's the other carte blanche on explosive destruction? New years?

I remember reading a few posts on here last year. If you want to have fireworks outside of the two permitted dates I think you have to pay a member of the local police force in some areas to come round during your planned event.

So at best you'd better just plan on a few sparklers and a bonfire if you are permitted....

Very tempted to make it over to Geneva, and pick up a few ingredients for my Christmas cake plans on Sunday.

I'm not so interested in fireworks, but a bonfire and a guy on top would be nice. Can't believe that would be such a transgression in Switzerland.

Maybe we can organise one in Basel. Anyone got a good garden for lighting a bonfire in? I can provide some wood and can get my kids to make a guy.

There are plenty of official fire places around Switzerland.
Find a list here.

As it's November there will not be too many other people around.
You can also search for "Feuerstellen".

Don't want to be a spoil sport but bonfires are banned in many areas; they say because of "fine dust" problem.

How this aligns with the many Swiss houses who burn wood in their fireplaces I have no clue

Feel free to use Ouchboy.


cheers
SC

Räbeliechtliumzug, in some areas, is on Nov 5 this year, if you wanted to see something local and different.

Now that sounds like a good idea!!!! I would love to find some sparklers aswell but I very much doubt I will!!

What I never really found out is do they have St. Martin's parades on November 11th?

My husband was feeling upset about missing this but seems to have perked up on noticing the current HerbstMesse happenings in Basel. It's not bonfires or fireworks but there are a whole load of funfair rides and sausage/sweet/pluckaduck stalls in major platz's at the moment- like munsterplatz, barfusserplatz and messeplatz...

We've had fireworks on Nov 5th (or nearest Sat.), in the past - and all my wife did was to inform (not ask) the Gemeinde and mention it to the next door neighbour, if she saw him prior to the event.

Never had any comebacks or problems.

The only thing is to remember to buy extra fireworks for Aug. 1st and hold a few back until Nov. - too late now ..... but next year.