Fewer Swiss cities allow fireworks on New Year’s Eve; housing shortage is the biggest concern for Zurich’s residents; and more news in our last roundup of 2025.
Fewer cities allow fireworks on New Year’s Eve
If you are looking forward to a fireworks display tonight, you may or may not see it – depending on where in Switzerland you live.
That’s because many municipalities forego this extravaganza, reflecting their environmental and animal welfare concerns.
For instance, fireworks are no longer part of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Lausanne, Basel, Bern, and St. Gallen. In central Switzerland, only Lucerne still puts on a fireworks display.
Geneva and Zurich, on the other hand, still maintain this tradition.
Housing shortage is the biggest concern for Zurich’s residents
Every two years, the city surveys its residents about their life in Zurich.
For the first time in the history of the population survey, the chronic housing shortage is cited by the majority of inhabitants as the number one problem.
Traffic, as well as high cost of living in the city, are the other pressing issues for Zurich residents, the survey shows.
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A number of Swiss consumers plan to spend less in 2026
Around a third of the population intends to tighten their belts and save money in the new year, according to the Consumer Monitor Survey conducted by the Management Tools Research institute and published on Tuesday.
This is particularly true in western Switzerland and Ticino.
The survey found that 37 percent of respondents plan to spend less on everyday items, against 19 percent who said they will spend more in 2026.
“We expect consumers to adopt a more cautious approach in 2026,” said Laura Colledani, the institute’s co-CEO.
“Large segments of the population are clearly still feeling significant pressure to save,” she added.
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Geneva commemorates a historical milestone today
As it does every year, cannon fire will mark the beginning of December 31st, when Geneva officially commemorates the restoration of the Republic, a significant moment in its history.
In 1798, Geneva, which was under military occupation at the time, was annexed to France and became the capital and prefecture of the Léman department.
Following the defeats of Napoleon’s army, French troops withdrew from the city on the morning of December 30th, 1813.
Austrian troops arrived in Geneva that afternoon, announcing the restoration of the old order on December 31st.
A proclamation of independence was prepared, a provisional government was formed, and Geneva regained its status as an independent republic.
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