Public holidays in Switzerland


The 26 cantons that make up Switzerland set their public holidays independently – with the exception of 1 August, which is the only federal holiday. Furthermore, holidays can change depending on employers, and some holidays are 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

HolidayVariable?DateAGAIARBLBSBEFRGEGLGRJULUNENWOWSGSHSZSOTGTIURVSVDZGZHNumber of cantons

Public holidays in specific places, parts of cantons

HolidayDateHoliday in cantonsPartial Holiday in cantons
Carnival1Second Monday before Ash WednesdaySZ
Carnival1Thursday before Ash WednesdayLU, UR, NWSZ, SG, GR
Carnival1Monday before Ash WednesdayGLZH, LU, UR, SZ, ZG, SG, AG
Carnival1Tuesday before Ash WednesdaySZ, NW, OWLU, UR, BL, SG, AG, TI
Carnival1Ash WednesdayNWSZ, BL, AR, TI, JU
Carnival1Friday after Ash WednesdayTI
Carnival1Monday after Ash WednesdayBSBL, ZH
Carnival1Tuesday after Ash WednesdayFR
Carnival1Wednesday after Ash WednesdayBSBL
Republic Day1 MarchNE
Näfels Rideusually the first Thursday in AprilGL
Sechseläutenusually the third Monday in April Zürich City, Schlieren
Independence Day23 JuneJU
Peter and Paul29 JuneTILU, GR
Knabenschiessensecond Weekend in September
Zürich City
Prayer MondayMonday after Federal Day of Thanksgiving,
Repentance and Prayer		Legally recognized only in VD
is also celebrated in NE and parts of BE
is a bank holiday in VS.
Mauritius Day22 SeptemberAI without Oberegg District
St. Leodegar 2 OctoberLucerne City
L'Escalade12 DecemberGE