School holiday dates in Switzerland

By Abi CarterUpdated on Jan 8, 2026

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Wondering how school holidays work in Switzerland? Or just when your next break is? Here's what you need to know about school holidays in Switzerland.

Swiss school holidays

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.

Types of school holidays in Switzerland

The five types of school holidays in Switzerland are:

Autumn 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 each 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.

Holiday childcare in Switzerland

If you are working, you may need to make childcare arrangements for your children during the holidays. There is no nationwide holiday childcare provision in Switzerland, but facilities are organised at either a cantonal or regional level.

A number of companies in Switzerland offer holiday activities like programmes, sports camps and international summer camps, to keep your child occupied during the summer holidays.

Cantonal school holidays in Switzerland

See below for the official school holiday dates for primary and secondary schools in Switzerland, extending to the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school terms, per canton:

Aargau school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 18 - August 9, 2026

Aargau school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn break: September 28 - October 9, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 21 - December 31, 2026
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 4 - April 23, 2027
Summer holiday: July 19 - August 6, 2027

Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 13 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 3 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 5 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 6 - October 17, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 17, 2026
Summer holiday: July 6 - August 7, 2026

Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 16, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 12 - April 23, 2027
Summer holiday: July 12 - August 13, 2027

Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 20 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: December 31 - February 8, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 19 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 10, 2027
Sports holiday: February 6 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 6 - October 17, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 17, 2026
Summer holiday: July 6 - August 14, 2026

Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 16, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 25, 2026 - January 8, 2027
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 9, 2027
Summer holiday: July 5 - August 13, 2027

Basel Land school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 14 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: March 28 - April 12, 2026
Summer holiday: June 27 - August 9, 2026

Basel Land school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21, 2027
Spring holiday: March 20 - April 4, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Basel Stadt school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 14 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: March 28 - April 12, 2026
Summer holiday: June 27 - August 9, 2026

Basel Stadt school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21, 2027
Spring holiday: March 20 - April 4, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Fribourg/Freiburg school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 13 - October 24, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Sports holiday: February 16 - February 20, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 17, 2026
Summer holiday: July 10 - August 26, 2026 (primary) or July 4 to August 26, 2026 (secondary)

Fribourg/Freiburg school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 11 - October 25, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 6 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 10 - August 25, 2027

Geneva school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 18 - October 26, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 21 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: June 27 - August 16, 2026

Geneva school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 17 - October 25, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 10, 2027
Sports holiday: February 13 - February 21, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 25, 2027

Glarus school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: January 24 - February 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: June 27 - August 9, 2026

Glarus school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 3 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 10, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 7, 2027
Spring holiday: April 1 - April 18, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Graubünden/Grisons school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 21 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 18 - May 3, 2026
Summer holiday: June 27 - August 16, 2026

Graubünden/Grisons school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 10 - October 25, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 23, 2026 - January 5, 2027
Sports holiday: TBC
Spring holiday: TBC
Summer holiday:TBC

Jura school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 14 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Jura school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 16, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 8, 2027
Sports holiday: February 15 - February 19, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 9, 2027
Summer holiday: July 5 - August 18, 2027

Lucerne school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 7 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Lucerne school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Neuchâtel school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 21 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Neuchâtel school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 27 - March 7, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Nidwalden school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: February 7 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Nidwalden school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

Obwalden school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2025 - January 6, 2026
Sports holiday: February 7 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Obwalden school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 25 - October 11, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 6, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 15, 2027

St. Gallen school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: Varies by school
Spring holiday: April 3- April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

St. Gallen school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 7, 2027
Spring holiday: April 11 - April 25, 2027
Summer holiday: July 11 - August 15, 2027

Schaffhausen school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: January 24 - February 8, 2026
Spring holiday: April 11 - April 26, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

Schaffhausen school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: April 17 - May 2, 2027
Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15, 2027

Solothurn school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: January 31 - February 15, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

Solothurn school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 26 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: February 6 - February 21, 2027
Spring holiday: April 10 - April 25, 2027
Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15, 2027

Schwyz school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: September 27 - October 12, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 25, 2025 - January 6, 2026
Sports holiday: February 21 - March 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 25 - May 10, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

Schwyz school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: September 29 - October 10, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 22/24, 2026 - January 6/7, 2027 (depending on municipality)
Sports holiday: February 23 - February 27/March 6, 2027 (depending on municipality)
Spring holiday: April 27 - May 8, 2027
Summer holiday: July 3 - August 10/17, 2027 (depending on municipality)

Thurgau school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Sports holiday: January 24 - February 1, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 19, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 9, 2026

Thurgau school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 3 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Sports holiday: January 30 - February 7, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 11, 2027
Whitsun holiday: May 6 - May 17, 2027
Summer holiday: July 10 - August 15, 2027

Ticino school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: November 1 - November 9, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2025 - January 6, 2026
Sports holiday: February 14 - February 22, 2026
Spring holiday: April 3 - April 12, 2026
Summer holiday: June 18 - August 30, 2026

Ticino school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 31 - November 8, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 24, 2026 - January 6, 2027
Sports holiday: February 4 - February 14, 2027
Spring holiday: March 26 - April 4, 2027
Summer holiday: June 16 - TBC

Uri school holidays 2025-2026

Autumn holiday: October 4 - October 19, 2025
Christmas holiday: December 20, 2025 - January 6, 2026
Sports holiday: March 1 - March 8, 2026
Spring holiday: May 2 - May 17, 2026
Summer holiday: July 4 - August 16, 2026

Uri school holidays 2026-2027

Autumn holiday: October 3 - October 18, 2026
Christmas holiday: December 23/24, 2026 - January 6/10, 2027 (depending on municipality)
Sports holiday: February 27 - March 7, 2027
Spring holiday: May 1 - May 9/17, 2027 (depending on municipality)
Summer holiday: July 5 - August 17, 2025