RTL Today - Transport, traffic, parking: What to expect and avoid during Luxembourg’s National Day celebrations

From traffic disruptions to late-night trams, here’s how to get around the capital during three days of festivities.

The 25th anniversary of Grand Duke Henri's reign will be celebrated with a lively and vibrant programme of events. Three days of festivities and just as many reasons to visit Luxembourg City. Here is what you need to know to make your trip easier and enjoy the festivities.

21 June – 25th Anniversary of the reign

Due to the events planned on Place Guillaume II and the light and sound show organised in front of the Palace, several streets near the city centre will be closed:

From 4pm: parking will be prohibited on Rue Notre-Dame, between Rue de l'Ancienne Athénée and Rue du Fossé;
From 5pm: traffic will be prohibited on the following streets:
- Rue Notre-Dame, between Rue de l'Ancienne Athénée and Rue du Fossé
- Côte d'Eich, between Rue du Fossé and Place du Théâtre
- Rue Sigefroi
- Rue Large

Transport services will run as normal, with the exception of bus lines 19 and 31, which will be diverted.

By car: the city's park-and-ride facilities are accessible and recommended if you wish to travel to the capital (Bouillon, Lux-Sud, Kockelscheuer, Stade, etc.). You can check in real time whether there are any spaces available.

22 June – Torchlight procession, fireworks and City Sounds

The eve of the national holiday is traditionally the most festive day in Luxembourg City, with the traditional 'Fakelzuch' (torchlight procession, ed.) followed by fireworks on the Adolphe Bridge.

The torchlight procession will leave at 9.30pm from Place du Théâtre. It will then take the Côte d'Eich and Rue du Fossé to Place Guillaume II.

Later, for the fireworks display (11pm), the bridge closure will result in the complete suspension of bus services between the station and the city centre. Buses will take the Route de Hollerich and then the Route d'Esch. The bus stops in front of the cathedral and the courthouse (F. D. Roosevelt Quais 1 and 2) will be closed.

According to the City of Luxembourg, all bus services will be suspended between approximately 10.30pm, and 11.30pm, with the exception of lines 6, 16, 18, and 29.

After the fireworks display, ‘special services’ will be provided between approximately 11.30pm, and 3.30am on most routes from the city centre. The timetables for all lines are available here.

By car: the city's park-and-ride facilities are accessible and recommended if you wish to travel to the capital (Bouillon, Lux-Sud, Kockelscheuer, Stade, etc.).

Tram: it will run on an extended schedule between the Findel / Luxembourg Airport and the Stadium, with a minimum service every 5 minutes from 3pm to 6.45pm:

2.55am: last departure from Findel / Luxembourg Airport towards the Stadium
3.03am: last departure from Luxexpo towards the Stadium
2.15am: last departure from the Stadium towards Findel / Luxembourg Airport
03:15: last departure from Stadion towards Luxexpo

Due to the concerts organised on the Glacis site, the 5 to 6 minutes interval will be maintained until 1.30am.

People with reduced mobility can contact ‘Call-a-Bus’ from 7.15pm to 10.30pm for transport between the Bouillon P+R and the city centre (Avenue Monterey).

23 June – Military parade on Avenue de la Liberté and City Sounds

Monday 23 June will be dedicated to official events, including the ceremony at the Philharmonie (9.45am), the military parade on Avenue de la Liberté (12.15pm) and the Te Deum at the cathedral (4.30pm).

This busy schedule will result in the closure of roads in the Gare district and city centre from 7am, around Avenue de la Liberté and on Avenue Roosevelt.

Tram and bus services will be suspended between the train station and the city centre from approximately 9.25am to 1.55pm. Circulation will be limited to the northern section of the line, between Hamilius and Kirchberg. City bus lines 4, 13 and 18 will provide service between the Hamilius and Gare Centrale stops. The timetables for all lines are available here.