There’s no better way to get to know the true spirit of a country than to visit during their national day celebrations. Let your guard down and go with the flow of events planned throughout the holiday. Enjoy the country as it gets beautified for the special day(s), and relish in the abundance of traditional foods and drinks which are often highlighted for the occasion. Below are some of our favourite national day celebrations where you’ll be sure to join in on the local pride and get your celebration on.
Norway
Enjoy the parade dressed in bunad traditional clothing in Norway
Celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17th in Oslo is a red, white, and blue day you won’t forget. Many events vibrate around people of all ages, especially students. Thousands of children in traditional clothing, known as Bunad, line the streets, marching past the Royal Palace as the Royal family waves back.
Graduating high school students locally called Russ students, are recognisable by their coloured hats and uniforms. Traditionally, they board Russ buses for Russ parties that culminate on the national day, during which they distribute mock business cards you should try to collect.
On this national day, if you’re staying with friends participate in a potluck breakfast. The custom is to “eat what you like” so if you fancy smoked salmon, cured meats, hot-dogs, or ice cream, this is the day to treat yourself to double portions!
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Ghana
A crowd of proud Ghanaians at Independence Square © Oluniyi Ajao
Since 1957, the people of Ghana celebrate the end of British colonial rule every March 6th. On the Independence Square in the capital city of Accra, thousands of Ghanaians gather to watch the parade and celebrate proudly in music and dancing. The red, yellow, and green of Ghana’s flag reflects in garments of the marching bands, police, students, and military that strut their stuff on the tarmac.
Take a stroll to admire the Black Star Gate, a symbol of Ghana’s struggle for independence, near the flame that still burns since the nation’s first president Kwame Nkrumah lit it in 1957.
After the ceremony, escape the heat and head to Kokrobite beach for impromptu drum music, and beach games. If traffic gets slow (which it will), roll down the window for a street vendor snack or grab a bite of fufu (pounded yams or cassava) and tilapia at the nearest authentic diners locally called Chop bars until rush hour rolls over.
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Australia
Silly festivities on Australia Day © Eva Rinaldi
On January 26th, 1788 the first British fleet arrived in New South Wales, Australia. Today the day is a commemorative day full of reflection and celebration known most commonly as Australia Day. To get the national day celebrations going, wake up to the sweet smell of a barbie (a.k.a. a barbecue), slap on some sunscreen, and join the fun happening all around the country.
If you’re in Sydney and craving a big event, Darling Harbour is the place to be with performances and fireworks to celebrate with a bang. From Sydney Harbour, cheer on around 700 boats and historic vessels in the Australia Day Regatta conducted each year since 1837. Get wet in Adelaide with the Havaianas inflatable flip-flop challenge trying to break the world record of largest number of floatable Havaianas in the ocean! The only rule on Australia Day is to have fun!
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Indonesia
The race to the top gets slippery on Panjat Pinang
On Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17th you will most likely run into a strange kind of tree bearing prizes. Each year locals participate in Panjat Pinang, a tradition to represent how the communities learn to work together and resist against the Dutch government in 1945. Tall palm tree trunks are planted in villages around the country, adorned with hoops from which are hung baskets, toys, bicycles, and other great prizes. The catch? To get to the prizes, the team members have to climb up the poles that have been greased up for the challenge. Needless to say, things get slippery.
In Jakarta, the buildings and homes fly the red and white flag with pride. While some might enjoy watching the assembly of government officials at the National Palace, other might prefer the satisfying participation of the krupuk (shrimp chip) eating contest. As you wander through Jakarta’s neighbourhoods, cheer on participants of the bike decorating games and races.
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South Africa
Art with a message at AfrikaBurn festival © David Horwitz
Although South Africa officially gained independence from Britain on May 31st 1910, the country celebrates their national day Freedom Day on April 27th to remember to the day the first post-apartheid non-racial and democratic elections were held. Since 1994, Freedom Day has been celebrated with various events such as the President’s address at the Union Buildings in Pretoria or the awarding of National Awards.
Make this a day of commemoration by visiting sites around the country that honour the nation’s hero Nelson Mandela like the Capture Site in KwaZulu Natal province. If you’re looking to mix and mingle, although not an official part of the national day celebrations, the AfrikaBurn art festival (a Burning Man festival of sorts) in Tankwa Town is conveniently planned during the same period. Staying in Cape Town? Don’t be shy and dig your fingers into some Shisanyama (grilled meat braai or barbecue) at Mzoli’s, reputed to be the best and busiest braai around.
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France
Picnic and concert on the Champs de Mars © Ninara
Saying the French wear berets and eat baguettes – that’s a cliché, but saying the French know how to celebrate their national day – that’s a fact! While Bastille Day, celebrated on the 14th of July, is a day to remember when the revolted Parisians stormed the medieval prison known as Bastille, it’s also a huge countrywide holiday to show national pride. If you want to see spectacular fireworks, go to Carcassonne where fire flows off the medieval ramparts, or watch the fireworks light up the cliffs of Etretat.
Paris is nonetheless the place to be for a multitude of celebrations to keep you up all night. On the 13th of July, eve of Bastille Day, get a head start by hitting the (free) dancefloor at your local fire station where the firefighters organise a friendly neighbourhood party! The next morning on the 14th, wake up early to watch the parade of the French military on the Champs Elysées and catch a glimpse of the president if you’re lucky.
At night the national day celebrations continue – fireworks take off at the Eiffel Tower often preceded by a big concert on the Champs de Mars right in front of it. Insider’s tip: grab a bottle of champagne and snag a first row seat on the Pont Bir-Hakeim Bridge, and enjoy the show!
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Peru
The party isn’t complete without watching the Corso de Wong © Municipalidad de Miraflores
To celebrate their independence from Spain, Peru has Fiestas Patrias: one of the biggest holiday of the year on July 28th and 29th. To get the festivities going, in Lima, on the eve of the Independence Day you can enjoy music and Marinera dancing in the Parque de Muralla, followed by huge fireworks.
To commemorate the day General de José San Martin proclaimed Peru’s independence in July 28th, 1821, observe a 21 cannon salute or other official ceremonies such as the raising of the flag, mass at the Lima Cathedral, and the President’s address to the nation.
On the 29th, the celebrations are still going strong with the military parade, so grab a Pisco drink, Peru’s official liquor, to toast with the locals during festivities in the Parque Kennedy. If the date coincides, you’ll definitely want to take part in the Corso de Wong parade with performers, floats, and dragons. Marching through some of the city’s main arteries like Avenida de 28 de Julio, it’s an original and colourful way to see the city come alive!
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