Switzerland (CH)
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic of 26 cantons at the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Capital: Bern
Region: Europe
Language: German
Currency: CHF (CHF)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 122)
Emergency: 112
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Public Holidays 2026
17 holidays in Switzerland. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Neujahr / Nouvel An / Capodanno
Observed in all 26 cantons. Everything closes — including most public transport reducing to Sunday schedules.
Fri 2
Berchtold's Day Bank Holiday
Berchtoldstag / Jour de la Saint-Berchtold
A holiday in most German-speaking cantons (including Zurich, Bern, Aargau, Thurgau). Not a federal holiday — check your canton.
Tue 6
Epiphany Optional
Dreikönigstag / Épiphanie
Public holiday only in Uri, Schwyz, and Ticino. Also observed culturally (Dreikönigskuchen cake with a hidden king token).
April 2026
Fri 3
Good Friday Public Holiday
Karfreitag / Vendredi saint / Venerdì santo
Public holiday in all cantons except Ticino and Valais. Most shops closed — even big supermarkets.
Mon 6
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Ostermontag / Lundi de Pâques / Lunedì di Pasqua
Observed in most cantons. A long weekend for skiing or travelling.
May 2026
Fri 1
Labour Day Optional
Tag der Arbeit / Fête du Travail
Public holiday in Zurich, Basel, Aargau, Jura, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Solothurn, Thurgau, Schaffhausen. NOT a federal holiday — depends on canton.
Thu 14
Ascension Day Public Holiday
Auffahrt / Ascension / Ascensione
Federal public holiday across all cantons. Often creates a long "Brückentag" weekend as the Friday is commonly taken as leave.
Mon 25
Whit Monday Public Holiday
Pfingstmontag / Lundi de Pentecôte / Lunedì di Pentecoste
Public holiday in most cantons (not Valais or Geneva). 7 weeks after Easter.
June 2026
Thu 4
Corpus Christi Optional
Fronleichnam / Fête-Dieu / Corpus Domini
Public holiday in traditionally Catholic cantons (Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Jura, Valais, Ticino).
August 2026
Sat 1
Swiss National Day Public Holiday
Bundesfeier / Fête nationale / Festa nazionale
Federal public holiday since 1994, commemorating the 1291 Federal Charter. Fireworks, bonfires, and the federal presidential address. All shops closed.
Sat 15
Assumption of Mary Optional
Mariä Himmelfahrt / Assomption
Catholic cantons: Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn (partial), Appenzell Innerrhoden, Jura, Valais, Ticino.
September 2026
Sun 20
Federal Thanksgiving Public Holiday
Eidgenössischer Dank-, Buss- und Bettag / Jeûne fédéral
Third Sunday in September. Geneva uniquely has its own "Jeûne genevois" on the Thursday after — a full public holiday only in GE.
November 2026
Sun 1
All Saints' Day Optional
Allerheiligen / Toussaint
Public holiday in Catholic cantons (Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Aargau (partial), Ticino, Valais, Jura).
December 2026
Tue 8
Immaculate Conception Optional
Mariä Empfängnis / Immaculée Conception
Observed in the same Catholic cantons as All Saints' Day.
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Weihnachten / Noël / Natale
Federal public holiday across all cantons. Public transport runs on Sunday schedules; everything closes.
Sat 26
St Stephen's Day Public Holiday
Stephanstag / Saint-Étienne / Santo Stefano
Public holiday in almost all cantons (exception: Geneva observes the Restauration de la République on 31 December instead).
Thu 31
Geneva Restauration Optional
Restauration de la République
Canton of Geneva only. Commemorates the restoration of the Republic in 1813.
Note: Some holidays in Switzerland apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.