The school system in Switzerland traditionally has five school holidays throughout the year. These holidays are determined by where you live and can vary by weeks. 

Swiss holiday structure

The school holidays are a fundamental part of education for your children, with holidays being offered from primary schools to secondary and higher education. The holidays’ structure that Switzerland uses is: 

• October break (early October, one week)
• Christmas holidays (mid-December to early January, two to three weeks)
• Ski week (early February, two weeks)
• Easter holidays (Easter time, one week)
• Summer holidays (June to August, 6-8 weeks)

These are in addition to Swiss national & regional holidays.

School holidays by canton in Switzerland

The responsibility of planning for school holidays is given to the county (canton). Traditionally, holiday dates were determined by the timings of the harvest so that young people could help with work and support the family. Now, each canton staggers its holidays so that not all school children are on holiday at once, to ease crowding and ease the pressure on public transport.

Can I take my child out of school outside of holiday time?

Taking your child out of school, or truancy, is not recommended in Switzerland. This is in order to ensure that your child does not fall behind with their education. If you would like to take your child out of school, you must contact your school beforehand, specifying the circumstances behind taking your child out of school and why it is essential. 

Leeway is typically given for half days and for significant family events or emergencies. Taking your child out of school has harsh penalties if absences are unexplained, with most cantons administering a fine of 300 to 2.000 Swiss francs for each day the child misses.

Cantonal school holidays in Switzerland

The details of each cantonal school holiday are below, extending to the 2022-23 school term.

Aargau school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25
• Summer holiday: July 17 - August 8
• Autumn holiday: October 3 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Aargau school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24
• Summer holiday: July 16 - August 7
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 6, 2022

Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 12 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 25 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2022

Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 2, 2022

Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: September 25 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: September 24 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 25 - January 9, 2022

Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: N/A
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Basel Land school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 28
• Spring holiday: March 27 - April 11 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Basel Land school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 13
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Basel Stadt school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 28
• Spring holiday: March 27 - April 11 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Basel Stadt school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 13
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Liechtenstein school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 1 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Liechtenstein school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 14 - May 1  
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 16
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Fribourg / Freiburg school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 25 (Primary) July 3 - August 25 (Secondary)
• Autumn holiday: October 16 - November 1
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Fribourg / Freiburg school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1  
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 24 (Primary) July 2 - August 24 (Secondary)
• Autumn holiday: October 15 - October 30
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Geneva school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 1 - April 11 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 29
• Autumn holiday: October 23 - October 31
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Geneva school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 12 - February 20
• Spring holiday: April 14 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 22 - October 30
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Glarus school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: January 30 - February 7
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Glarus school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: January 29 - February 6
• Spring holiday: April 7 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Graubünden / Grisons school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 27 - March 7
• Spring holiday: April 17 - May 2 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 5, 2022

Graubünden / Grisons school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 23 - May 8 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Jura school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 20 - February 28
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Jura school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - February 27
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Luzern school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 22
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Luzern school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Neuchatel school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 27 - March 7
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Neuchatel school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Nidwalden school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 22 (Middle school) - August 15 (Primary school)
• Autumn holiday: September 25 - October 10
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Nidwalden school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 28 (Middle school) - August 21 (Primary school)
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Obwalden school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 22
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 6, 2022

Obwalden school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

St. Gallen school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: Dependent on school
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

St. Gallen school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: Dependent on school
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Schaffhausen school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: January 30 - February 14
• Spring holiday: April 17 - May 2 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 2, 2022

Schaffhausen school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: January 29 - February 13
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 2, 2023

Solothurn school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 25 - January 9, 2022

Solothurn school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 5 - February 20
• Spring holiday: April 9 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Schwyz school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 27 - March 7
• Spring holiday: May 1 - May 16 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 6, 2022

Schwyz school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 25 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 30 - May 15 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Thurgau school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: January 30 - February 7
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Thurgau school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: January 29 - February 6
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: June 9 - August 14
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - November 23
• Christmas holiday, December 24 - January 8, 2023

Ticino school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 11 
• Summer holiday: June 19 - August 29
• Autumn holiday: October 30 - November 7
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Ticino school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: June 16 - August 28
• Autumn holiday: October 29 - November 6
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Uri school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 17 - March 7
• Spring holiday: May 1 - May 16 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Uri school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 30 - May 15 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 1 - October 16
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Vaud school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 20 - February 28
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 18 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 2
• Autumn holiday: October 16 - October 31
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Vaud school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 19 - February 27
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 2 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 15 - October 30
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Valais (German) school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 20 - March 7
• Spring holiday: May 8 - May 16 
• Summer holiday: June 26 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Valais (German) school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 13
• Spring holiday: May 7 - May 15 
• Summer holiday: June 30 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Valais (French) school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 2 - April 11 
• Summer holiday: June 19 - August 18
• Autumn holiday: October 13 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 9, 2022

Valais (French) school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 26 - March 6
• Spring holiday: April 15 - April 24 
• Summer holiday: June 25 - August 17
• Autumn holiday: October 13 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023

Zug school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21
• Spring holiday: April 17 - May 2 
• Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15
• Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 17
• Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 5, 2022

Zug school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: February 5 - February 20
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 9 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 4, 2023

Zurich school holidays 2021-2022

• Sports holiday: School specific
• Spring holiday: April 24 - May 9 
• Summer holiday: July 17 - August 22
• Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 24
• Christmas holiday: December 18 - January 2, 2022

Zurich school holidays 2022-2023

• Sports holiday: School specific
• Spring holiday: April 15 - May 1 
• Summer holiday: July 16 - August 21
• Autumn holiday: October 8 - October 23
• Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 8, 2023