Credit: Jazmin Campbell, Chronicle.lu
On Wednesday 24 September 2025, the City of Luxembourg (VdL) presented the detailed programme of festivities and organisational measures in the capital for the “Trounwiessel” (throne transition), marking the accession of Grand Duke Guillaume, from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October 2025.
Mayor Lydie Polfer, First Alderman Maurice Bauer and Alderman Patrick Goldschmidt were joined at the press conference by Laurent Loschetter from den Atelier and Olivier Toth from Rockhal, as well as representatives of the Grand Ducal Police, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) and LuxTram. They emphasised the historic nature of this event as well as the months of "enthusiastic" preparation to ensure both a secure and festive atmosphere.
As previously reported, the three-day programme will begin on Friday 3 October with the abdication of Grand Duke Henri and the swearing-in of his son, Guillaume, followed by royal public appearances and a gala dinner. A large screen installed in Place Guillaume II (Knuedler) will broadcast the key moments throughout the day.
On Saturday 4 October, as the new Grand Duke undertakes his country tour on his first working day, the capital will host various concerts and festivities on the Glacis field. From 12:30 onwards, the public can enjoy a mix of live performances by Luxembourg artists and live screenings of the Grand Ducal visits to Grevenmacher, Wiltz, Steinfort and Dudelange. Food and drinks will be available on-site.
In the evening, the focus will shift to the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge (Red Bridge), which will be transformed into a stage for the symbolic finale of the Grand Duke's tour. The new Grand Ducal couple will make their entrance accompanied by a large-scale artistic production involving around 1,800 participants, live music from Luxembourg pianist Francesco Tristano and tableaux highlighting the diversity of Luxembourg society. The spectacle involves eight trams each with a selected theme deemed to be important to the Grand Duke. Due to the preparations, the Red Bridge will be temporarily closed from Saturday 27 September, each day from 22:00 to 05:00, until Saturday 4 October when the bridge will be completely closed from 13:00. It is expected to reopen partially around 18:00 on Sunday 5 October and fully again from around 05:00 on Monday 6 October.
The celebrations will continue in Glacis with a specially created drone show (featuring 300+ drones) designed by Brognon-Rollin with music/sound by Napoleon Gold, followed by a major concert featuring 32 Luxembourg artists across genres. A DJ set will round off the night.
The official programme concludes on Sunday 5 October with a Te Deum at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City, presided over by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, with the Grand Ducal family in attendance.
The VdL stressed its aim to keep the capital “open” and functioning as normally as possible throughout the weekend, while ensuring security and smooth logistics. Restrictions will mainly affect the Red Bridge and Glacis areas on Saturday, with temporary closures planned during rehearsals and the main show. Knuedler will also see limited access during the official ceremonies on Friday afternoon. Public transport, including the tram, will continue to operate with some timetable and routing adjustments.
Mayor Polfer underlined the historic significance of the weekend, noting that months of work have gone into ensuring a smooth, secure and festive programme. She said it was shaping up to be an "unforgettable" weekend and invited residents and visitors alike to take part: “Sief dobäi!” (Be there!).
