2026: Swiss public holidays (cantonal and federal)

What are the official public holidays in 2026? When are the school holidays in Switzerland? In this article, b-sharpe provides you with all the information you need about public holidays in Switzerland in 2026! This will help you plan your days off or your holidays if you work in Switzerland.

Official public holidays in Switzerland

Public holidays in Switzerland

Public holidays in Switzerland vary across the country’s 26 cantons. The number ranges from 8 to 15. Some are observed nationwide, whilst others are specific to certain cantons. Legally speaking, in Switzerland, a public holiday is treated in the same way as a Sunday. Consequently, the rules and regulations regarding working hours and shop opening times, for example, are the same on a public holiday as they are on Sundays. 

The following are the official public holidays observed in all Swiss cantons: 

• 1 January, New Year's Day, is a public holiday throughout Switzerland.
• 1 August is a public holiday, marking Swiss National Day. It has been enshrined in the Swiss Federal Constitution since 1994.
• On 25 December, for Christmas.

It should be noted that certain days are also non-working days in Switzerland, in some cantons. What is the difference between a public holiday and a non-working day? A non-working day is a day on which people would normally work, but on which an employer in Switzerland may voluntarily grant time off to their employees. Non-working days, however, are not considered to be Sundays and are therefore not mandatory rest days. 

The following dates are public holidays in some cantons, but are non-working days in others: 

• Easter Monday, which falls on 6 April 2026. 
• Ascension Thursday. In 2026, this falls on Thursday 14 May.
• Whit Monday. This year, it falls on 25 May. 

Differences between the cantons

Some public holidays are observed only in certain cantons. Here are the other public holidays in Switzerland: 

• 2 January, Saint Berchtold’s Day, is a public holiday in six cantons (Aargau, Bern, Jura, Neuchâtel, Vaud and Zug) and a day off work in seven cantons.
• Epiphany falls on 6 January 2026. It is a public holiday in the cantons of Schwyz, Ticino and Uri. 
• 1 March is a public holiday in Neuchâtel and the canton of Neuchâtel, commemorating the establishment of the Republic. 19 March (St Joseph’s Day) is a public holiday in several cantons: Lucerne, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Uri and Valais.
• Every year, the first Thursday in April is a public holiday in the canton of Glarus for the Fahrtsfest.
• Good Friday is a public holiday in many cantons, with the exception of Ticino and Valais. This year, it falls on 3 April 2026. 
• Some cantons celebrate Labour Day on 1 May: Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Uri and Zurich.
• Corpus Christi is a public holiday in twelve cantons; this year it falls on 4 June 2026.
• In the canton of Jura, 23 June is a public holiday (to mark the anniversary of the plebiscite).
• The Feast of the Assumption, on 15 August, is celebrated in 14 cantons.
• 25 September is a public holiday in the canton of Obwalden (St Nicholas of Flüe’s Day).
• All Saints' Day, on 1 November, is a public holiday in 13 cantons.
• 8 December (Immaculate Conception) is a public holiday in eight cantons.
• 26 December (St Stephen’s Day) is a public holiday in 17 cantons.
• 31 December is a public holiday in the canton of Geneva (Restoration of the Republic).

As you can see, the number of public holidays varies depending on which canton you live in. It can be hard to keep track of all these local variations… In Geneva, for example, there are 9 public holidays and 1 non-working day. Which Swiss canton has the most public holidays? With 15 statutory public holidays, the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino offers its residents the most days off! It is followed by the canton of Jura, with 13 public holidays.

The Geneva Fast and the Federal Fast

Have you heard of the Geneva Fast? It is a typically Swiss public holiday. Residents of Geneva and the canton are entitled to a public holiday on the Thursday following the first Sunday in September. In 2026, this falls on 10 September. The tradition of this fast dates back to the 16th century, to the time of the persecution of Protestants. Although the locals no longer observe the traditional fast, they celebrate this day every year by eating plum tart. 

As for the Federal Day of Fasting, this is also a very important Swiss religious holiday. This day is designated as a “day of thanksgiving, penance and prayer” for the whole of the Swiss Confederation. It will take place on 20 September 2026, almost everywhere in Switzerland. It should be noted that in French-speaking Switzerland, the Monday following the Sunday of the fast is also a public holiday in the cantons of Vaud, Neuchâtel and part of the Bernese Jura.

Public holidays in Switzerland in 2026: our tips for planning your time off

How can you best plan your holidays in Switzerland in 2026? b-sharpe, your online currency exchange partner, offers some tips on how to make the most of your holiday entitlement. This will help you plan your holidays effectively. The year 2026 offers great opportunities to enjoy a long weekend by taking a few days off before or after a Swiss public holiday. 

Labour Day, on 1 May, falls on a Friday. So you can enjoy a three-day weekend without even having to take a day off! 

Swiss National Day, which takes place on 1 August and is observed in all cantons, falls on a Saturday this year. If you take Friday off, you can enjoy a three-day weekend. 

Ascension Day falls on a Thursday, 14 May 2026. Why not treat yourself to another long weekend by taking Friday off… or even longer!
Finally, the festive season also offers opportunities for long weekends. Christmas falls on a Friday, and New Year’s Day on a Thursday. By taking a few days’ holiday around these dates, you could enjoy nearly ten days off!