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 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school terms.
Aargau school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 11 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 24 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 2 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 27 - January 5, 2024
Aargau school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 8 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 22 - August 9
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 11
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 3, 2025
Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 17 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 8 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Appenzell Innerrhoden school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 9 - February 18
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 21
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Appenzell Ausserrhoden school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 23 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Canton Bern (German) school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 21 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Canton Bern (French) school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: N/A
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Basel Land school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - March 5
- Spring holiday: April 1 - April 16
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Basel Land school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 25
- Spring holiday: March 23 - April 7
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Basel Stadt school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - March 5
- Spring holiday: April 1 - April 16
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Basel Stadt school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 25
- Spring holiday: March 23 - April 7
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Liechtenstein school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Liechtenstein school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 28 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 6, 2025
Fribourg / Freiburg school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 28 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 23 (Primary) July 1 - August 23 (Secondary)
- Autumn holiday: October 14 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Fribourg / Freiburg school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 21 (Primary) June 29 - August 21 (Secondary)
- Autumn holiday: October 12 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Geneva school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 21 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Geneva school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 17 - February 25
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 19 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Glarus school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: January 28 - February 5
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Glarus school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: January 27 - February 4
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Graubünden / Grisons school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 27 - March 3
- Spring holiday: April 17 - April 28
- Summer holiday: July 3 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 9 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Graubünden / Grisons school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 24 - March 3
- Spring holiday: April 20 - May 5
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Jura school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 14 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Jura school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 17 - February 25
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 12 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Luzern school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 11 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Luzern school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 3 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Neuchatel school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 25 - March 5
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Neuchatel school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 24 - March 3
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Nidwalden school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 11 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 27 (Middle school) - August 20 (Primary school)
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Nidwalden school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 3 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 25 (Middle school) - August 18 (Primary school)
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Obwalden school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 16 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Obwalden school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 3 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
St. Gallen school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: Dependent on school
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
St. Gallen school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: Dependent on school
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Schaffhausen school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: January 28 - February 12
- Spring holiday: April 15 - April 30
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Schaffhausen school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: January 27 - February 11
- Spring holiday: April 13 - April 28
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 24 - January 5, 2025
Solothurn school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 4 - February 19
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 15
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Solothurn school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 3 - February 18
- Spring holiday: April 6 - April 21
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Schwyz school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 25 - March 5
- Spring holiday: April 14 - April 29
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: September 30 - October 15
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Schwyz school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 24 - March 3
- Spring holiday: April 27 - May 12
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: September 28 - October 13
- Christmas holiday: December 25 - January 6, 2025
Thurgau school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: January 28 - February 5
- Spring holiday: March 25 - April 10
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 13
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Thurgau school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: January 27 - February 4
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 11
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Ticino school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 16
- Summer holiday: June 17 - August 27
- Autumn holiday: October 28 - November 5
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Ticino school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 7
- Summer holiday: June 15 - August 1
- Autumn holiday: October 26 - November 3
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 6, 2025
Uri school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: March 4 - March 12
- Spring holiday: April 22 - May 7
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Uri school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: March 2 - March 10
- Spring holiday: April 27 - May 12
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 6, 2025
Vaud school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 11 - February 19
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 23
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 14 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Vaud school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 14
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 12 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Valais (German) school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 25 - March 12
- Spring holiday: May 13 - May 21
- Summer holiday: July 1 - August 15
- Autumn holiday: October 14 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Valais (German) school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 24 - March 10
- Spring holiday: May 4 - May 12
- Summer holiday: June 29 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 12 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Valais (French) school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 18 - February 26
- Spring holiday: April 7 - April 16
- Summer holiday: June 24 - August 16
- Autumn holiday: October 19 - October 29
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Valais (French) school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 10 - February 18
- Spring holiday: March 29 - April 7
- Summer holiday: June 22 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 17 - October 27
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Zug school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: February 4 - February 19
- Spring holiday: April 15 - April 30
- Summer holiday: July 8 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Zug school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: February 3 - February 18
- Spring holiday: April 13 - April 28
- Summer holiday: July 6 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
Zurich school holidays 2023-2024
- Sports holiday: School specific
- Spring holiday: April 22 - May 7
- Summer holiday: July 15 - August 20
- Autumn holiday: October 7 - October 22
- Christmas holiday: December 23 - January 7, 2024
Zurich school holidays 2024-2025
- Sports holiday: School specific
- Spring holiday: April 20 - May 5
- Summer holiday: July 13 - August 18
- Autumn holiday: October 5 - October 20
- Christmas holiday: December 21 - January 5, 2025
