Public holidays in Switzerland
The 26 cantons that make up Switzerland set their public holidays independently — with the exception of August 1,[1] which is the only federal holiday.[2] Consider that holidays change depending on employers, and some holidays are highly specific to only a certain town or village. In general, the most reliable list of holidays for a given area will be to look for the list of bank holidays, as nearly all shops and offices close during bank holidays.
Public holidays in cantons
| Holiday | Variable? | Date | AG | AI | AR | BL | BS | BE | FR | GE | GL | GR | JU | LU | NE | NW | OW | SG | SH | SZ | SO | TG | TI | UR | VS | VD | ZG | ZH | Number of cantons | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | N | 1 January | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Aargau'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Basel-Landschaft'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Basel-City'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Berne'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Fribourg'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Geneva'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Glarus'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Grisons'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Jura'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Lucerne'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Neuchâtel'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Nidwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Obwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of St. Gallen'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Schaffhausen'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Schwyz'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Solothurn'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Thurgau'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Ticino'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Uri'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Valais'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Vaud'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Zug'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Day in the canton of Zurich'>* | 26
<td title='Observance of New Year's Day in 2016'>1 January 2016 <td title='Observance of New Year's Day in 2017'>1 January 2017 <td title='Observance of New Year's Day in 2018'>1 January 2018 <td title='Observance of New Year's Day in 2019'>1 January 2019 | ||||
| St. Berchtold | N | 2 January | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 14 | 2 January 2016 | 2 January 2017 | 2 January 2018 | 2 January 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Epiphany | N | 6 January | * | * | * | * | * | 5 | 6 January 2016 | 6 January 2017 | 6 January 2018 | 6 January 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Republic Day | N | 1 March | * | 1 | 1 March 2016 | 1 March 2017 | 1 March 2018 | 1 March 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Joseph's Day | N | 19 March | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Grisons'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Lucerne'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Nidwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Schwyz'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Solothurn'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Ticino'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Uri'>* | <span title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in the canton of Valais'>* | 8
<td title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in 2016'>19 March 2016 <td title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in 2017'>19 March 2017 <td title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in 2018'>19 March 2018 <td title='Observance of St Joseph's Day in 2019'>19 March 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Näfelser Fahrt | N | 3 April | * | 1 | 3 April 2016 | 3 April 2017 | 3 April 2018 | 3 April 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Palm Sunday | Y | Easter Sunday - 7 d | [3] | 20 March 2016 | 9 April 2017 | 25 March 2018 | 14 April 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Good Friday | Y | Easter Sunday - 2 d | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | [4] | * | [4] | * | * | * | 24 | 25 March 2016 | 14 April 2017 | 30 March 2018 | 19 April 2019 |
| Easter Sunday | Y | Easter Sunday | [3] | 27 March 2016 | 16 April 2017 | 1 April 2018 | 21 April 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Easter Monday | Y | Easter Sunday + 1 d | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 25 | 28 March 2016 | 17 April 2017 | 2 April 2018 | 22 April 2019 | |
| Labor Day | N | 1 May | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 11 | 1 May 2016 | 1 May 2017 | 1 May 2018 | 1 May 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Ascension | Y | Easter Sunday + 39 d | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 26 | 5 May 2016 | 25 May 2017 | 10 May 2018 | 30 May 2019 |
| Pentecost | Y | Easter Sunday + 49 d | [3] | 15 May 2016 | 4 June 2017 | 20 May 2018 | 9 June 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whit Monday | Y | Easter Sunday + 50 d | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 25 | 16 May 2016 | 5 June 2017 | 21 May 2018 | 10 June 2019 | |
| Corpus Christi | Y | Easter Sunday + 60 d | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 14 | 26 May 2016 | 15 June 2017 | 31 May 2018 | 20 June 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Fête d'Indépendance | N | 23 June | <span title='Observance of Fête d'Indépendance in the canton of Jura'>* | 1
<td title='Observance of Fête d'Indépendance in 2016'>23 June 2016 <td title='Observance of Fête d'Indépendance in 2017'>23 June 2017 <td title='Observance of Fête d'Indépendance in 2018'>23 June 2018 <td title='Observance of Fête d'Indépendance in 2019'>23 June 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saints Peter and Paul | N | 29 June | [5] | [5] | * | 1 | 29 June 2016 | 29 June 2017 | 29 June 2018 | 29 June 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day | N | 1 August | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 26 | 1 August 2016 | 1 August 2017 | 1 August 2018 | 1 August 2019 |
| Assumption | N | 15 August | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 13 | 15 August 2016 | 15 August 2017 | 15 August 2018 | 15 August 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Jeûne genevois | Y | Thursday after 1st Sunday in September | * | 1 | 8 September 2016 | 7 September 2017 | 6 September 2018 | 5 September 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer | Y | 3rd Sunday in September | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | [6] | 18 September 2016 | 17 September 2017 | 16 September 2018 | 15 September 2019 | |
| Lundi du Jeûne (Monday after previous) | Y | Monday after 3rd Sunday in September | [5] | [4] | [4] | * | 1 | 19 September 2016 | 18 September 2017 | 17 September 2018 | 16 September 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day | N | 25 September | * | 1 | 25 September 2016 | 25 September 2017 | 25 September 2018 | 25 September 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All Saints Day | N | 1 November | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 15 | 1 November 2016 | 1 November 2017 | 1 November 2018 | 1 November 2019 | |||||||||||
| Immaculate Conception | N | 8 December | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 13 | 8 December 2016 | 8 December 2017 | 8 December 2018 | 8 December 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Christmas Day | N | 25 December | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 26 | 25 December 2016 | 25 December 2017 | 25 December 2018 | 25 December 2019 |
| St Stephen's Day | N | 26 December | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Aargau'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Basel-Landschaft'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Basel-City'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Berne'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Fribourg'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Glarus'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Grisons'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Lucerne'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Nidwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Obwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of St. Gallen'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Schaffhausen'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Schwyz'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Solothurn'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Thurgau'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Ticino'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Uri'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Zug'>* | <span title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in the canton of Zurich'>* | 21
<td title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in 2016'>26 December 2016 <td title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in 2017'>26 December 2017 <td title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in 2018'>26 December 2018 <td title='Observance of St Stephen's Day in 2019'>26 December 2019 | |||||||||
| Restoration of the Republic | N | 31 December | * | 1 | 31 December 2016 | 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2018 | 31 December 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Year's Eve | N | 31 December (afternoon) | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Aargau'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Berne'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Glarus'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Grisons'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Lucerne'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Nidwalden'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Schaffhausen'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Schwyz'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Solothurn'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Ticino'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Uri'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Valais'>* | <span title='Observance of New Year's Eve in the canton of Zug'>* | 15
<td title='Observance of New Year's Eve in 2016'>31 December (afternoon) 2016 <td title='Observance of New Year's Eve in 2017'>31 December (afternoon) 2017 <td title='Observance of New Year's Eve in 2018'>31 December (afternoon) 2018 <td title='Observance of New Year's Eve in 2019'>31 December (afternoon) 2019 |
Public holidays in specific places, parts of cantons
| Holiday | Date | Holiday in cantons | Partial Holiday in cantons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival1 | Second Monday before Ash Wednesday | SZ | |
| Thursday before Ash Wednesday | LU, UR, NW | SZ, SG, GR | |
| Monday before Ash Wednesday | GL | ZH, LU, UR, SZ, ZG, SG, AG | |
| Tuesday before Ash Wednesday | SZ, NW, OW | LU, UR, BL, SG, AG, TI | |
| Ash Wednesday | NW | SZ, BL, AR, TI, JU | |
| Friday after Ash Wednesday | TI | ||
| Monday after Ash Wednesday | BS | BL (Lower Part Afternoon), ZH | |
| Tuesday after Ash Wednesday | FR | ||
| Wednesday after Ash Wednesday | BS | BL (Lower Part Afternoon) | |
| Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic | 1 March | NE (excl.) | |
| Näfelser Ride | usually the first Thursday in April | GL (excl.) | |
| Sechseläuten | usually the third Monday in April | Zürich City, Schlieren (excl.) | |
| Independence Day | 23 June | JU (excl.) | |
| Peter and Paul | 29 June | TI | LU, GR |
| Knabenschiessen | second Weekend in September (+ half Monday after) |
Zürich City (and Zürich Metro Area) (excl.) | |
| Prayer Monday | Monday after Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer |
Legally recognized only in VD (Lundi du Jeûne) | is also celebrated in NE and parts of BE is a bank holiday in VS. |
| Mauritius day | 22 September | AI (excl.) without Oberegg District | |
| Brother Klaus festival | 25 September | OW (excl.) | |
| St. Leodegar (Schutzengelfest) | 2 October | Lucerne City (excl.) | |
| L'Escalade | 12 December | GE (excl.) | |
| Restoration of the Republic | 31 December | GE (excl.) |
| 1 | The days around Carnival are (with the exception of very few individual municipalities) no public holidays. However, due to widely committed celebrations in the cantons mentioned, there are usually restrictions (for example, businesses might already close at noon or don't open at all). |
Notes and references
- ↑ Swiss National Day
- ↑ "Familienurlaub Ratgeber". Interhome.ch. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- 1 2 3 Always on a Sunday: observance varies. Not included in total count. Additional regulations to normal Sunday rules may apply.
- 1 2 3 4 most stores are public, despite the day not being a public holiday
- 1 2 3 some areas
- ↑ Always on a Sunday: observance varies (not in Geneva). Not included in total count
External links
- Comprehensive overview of Swiss holidays (German PDF file)
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