Swiss holidays 2023 & 2024

Switzerland is a federation of 26 counties (cantons) that have a great amount of autonomy over their own laws and rules, which includes setting public holidays. Although some national holidays do exist, most mandated holidays are decided by individual cantons.

It is important to know which public holidays are specific to the region you live in if you are given a work contract that allows for regional holidays as well as national ones.

Swiss school holidays

Swiss schools traditionally have five school holidays throughout the year. These holidays are determined by the county where you live and can vary from week to week. Most family planning calendars have the dates on the back. The holidays they get are: 

• 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, six to eight weeks)

For more information about specific dates for each canton, please see the Swiss school holidays section.

Swiss national holidays

Swiss national holidays are holidays that all cantons give as a day off work. These are: 

• Swiss national day: August 1
• Christmas Day: December 25
• New Years Day: January 1
• Good Friday (except for Ticino and Valais): April 7, 2023 and March 29, 2024
• Ascension day: May 18, 2023 and May 9, 2024

Swiss holidays by canton

All Swiss cantons have different public holidays that are based on traditions dating back to the founding of the Swiss confederation. This list will take you through the specific ones in every region, starting from the most important cantons, then following on in alphabetic order.

Most international companies follow the holidays of the region where they are based and some may offer more holidays if you live in another region of Switzerland.

Swiss holidays 2023

Swiss holidays 2024