Historic festival · Vatican City
6 May 2026
2026
6 May 2026
2027
6 May 2027
Where
Vatican City
What it is
New halberdiers swear loyalty in the San Damaso courtyard on the anniversary of the 1527 Sack of Rome, when 147 guards died defending Clement VII. Full Renaissance dress, drums and a flag salute; a limited public ballot allocates places.
Dates can shift by a day or two when a local council moves the programme to a weekend, so confirm with the town hall before booking non-refundable travel. Accommodation in Vatican City tends to sell out weeks ahead of the festival and prices rise sharply on the main night.
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Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony, explained
New halberdiers swear loyalty in the San Damaso courtyard on the anniversary of the 1527 Sack of Rome, when 147 guards died defending Clement VII. Full Renaissance dress, drums and a flag salute; a limited public ballot allocates places. It's a historic event held in Vatican City.
Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony runs 6 May 2026 in Vatican City. Councils can move the exact days by a day or two to land on a weekend, so confirm with the town hall before booking non-refundable travel.
The provisional 2027 dates are 6 May 2027, in Vatican City.
Yes — like the great majority of Spanish town festivals, Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony is free and open-air; you only pay for food, drink and any seating the town sells for a parade or firework display.
Book a room in Vatican City itself as early as you can: accommodation for this kind of festival sells out weeks ahead and prices climb sharply for the main night. A base in Vatican City also means you're not relying on late transport home once the celebrations run past midnight.
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Last reviewed · 30 July 2026
Prices & times
All prices and times on this page are estimates and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
Checked · 30 July 2026