Bank holidays in Switzerland

Q: Are shops and services closed during public holidays in Switzerland?

Most shops, supermarkets, and public services are closed on bank holidays in Switzerland, especially on national holidays and major regional celebrations like Christmas and Easter.

Q: Is Christmas a public holiday in all of Switzerland?

Yes, Christmas in Switzerland—celebrated on December 25—is a public holiday in all cantons. Many cantons also observe St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) as an additional day off.

Q: Are there any special holidays unique to specific cantons?

Definitely! Cantons like Geneva have Jeûne Genevois (September 11), while Glarus celebrates Näfelser Fahrt (April 3). These public holidays in Switzerland are not observed nationwide.

Q: Which cantons have the most public holidays in Switzerland?

Cantons such as Valais, Jura, and Lucerne typically observe more Swiss public holidays, including both Catholic feast days and national observances.

Q: When is Swiss National Day in 2025, and is it a day off?

Swiss National Day falls on Friday, August 1, 2025. It’s a public holiday in Switzerland observed by all cantons, and most businesses and public offices will be closed.

Q: Are public holidays good times to travel in Switzerland?

Yes and no! Holidays in Switzerland can be great for cultural experiences, but some attractions or shops may be closed. It’s smart to plan ahead, especially around major bank holidays like Easter or Christmas.

Q: Do all cantons observe Labour Day as a holiday?

No, Labour Day (May 1) is not a universal public holiday in Switzerland. It's observed in some cantons like Zurich, Basel, and Neuchâtel, but not in others like Lucerne or Uri.

Q: Where can I stay during public holidays in Switzerland?

If you're traveling over a holiday weekend, consider booking a stay with MEININGER Hotels—we offer central, clean, and affordable accommodation in top Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva, making it easy to enjoy your holidays in Switzerland stress-free.

Swiss public holidays 2025: a canton-by-canton guide

Bank holidays in Switzerland are the perfect excuse to explore more—whether you’re visiting for the first time or already lucky enough to live there. To make planning easier, we’ve put together a full list of 2025 public holidays, sorted by canton.

Types of bank holidays in Switzerland

Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, which are similar to states or provinces in other countries. Each canton has a high degree of autonomy, with its own separate government, courts, and of course, public holidays.

Bank holidays in Switzerland: Cabin by a lake with pine forest and snowy mountains — Escape to serene alpine views during a Swiss bank holiday getaway

_{If you’re planning a trip soon and wish to make the most out of these national or regional holidays,}
we’ve compiled a list to make life easier for you!

National Public Holidays (observed in all cantons)

New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1
Ascension Day: Thursday, May 29
Swiss National Day: Friday, August 1
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25

Cantonal Public Holidays (in addition to the national public holidays)

Unlike the bank holidays mentioned above which apply at a national level, the cantonal public holidays differ depending on the cantons where they are taking place. With some smart planning, you can enjoy long weekends and plan a city trip to Switzerland around these dates to make the most of it.

Aargau (AG)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI)

Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
St. Maurice Day: Monday, September 22
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR)

Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Basel-Landschaft (BL)

Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Basel-Stadt (BS)

Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Bern (BE)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Bank holidays in Switzerland: Scenic view of Bern with cathedral and rooftops — Spend your next Bernese bank holiday discovering the old town’s charm and landmarks

Fribourg (FR)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Geneva (GE)

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Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Jeûne genevois: Thursday, September 11
Restoration Day: Wednesday, December 31

While you’re in town for the festivities, don’t miss the chance to explore the city’s most photogenic corners—check out the best Instagram spots in Geneva!

Glarus (GL)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Näfelser Fahrt: Thursday, April 3
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26
New Year’s Eve: Wednesday, December 31

Graubünden (GR)

Epiphany: Monday, January 6
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Jura (JU)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Jura Independence Day: Monday, June 23
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1

Lucerne (LU)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Epiphany: Monday, January 6
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Neuchâtel (NE)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Republic Day: Saturday, March 1
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Nidwalden (NW)

St. Joseph’s Day: Wednesday, March 19
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Obwalden (OW)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day: Thursday, September 25
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

St. Gallen (SG)

Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Schaffhausen (SH)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Schwyz (SZ)

Epiphany: Monday, January 6
St. Joseph’s Day: Wednesday, March 19
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Solothurn (SO)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
St. Joseph’s Day: Wednesday, March 19
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Thurgau (TG)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Ticino (TI)

Epiphany: Monday, January 6
St. Joseph’s Day: Wednesday, March 19
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
St. Peter and St. Paul: Sunday, June 29
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Bank holidays in Switzerland: Scenic alpine lakes and mountains in Ticino region — Celebrate Ticino’s bank holidays with a peaceful hike around its alpine lakes and valleys

Uri (UR)

Epiphany: Monday, January 6
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Valais (VS)

St. Joseph’s Day: Wednesday, March 19
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8

Vaud (VD)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Federal Fast Monday: Monday, September 22

Zug (ZG)

Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Whit Monday: June 9
Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19
Assumption Day: Friday, August 15
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, November 1
Immaculate Conception: Monday, December 8
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

Zurich (ZH)

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Berchtold’s Day: Thursday, January 2
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Monday: April 21
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1
Whit Monday: June 9
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, December 26

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Summin’ up…

Whether you’re planning a winter getaway, a springtime hike in the Alps, or a festive Christmas in Switzerland, knowing the public holidays can help you make the most of your trip.

MEININGER tip: Since bank holidays in Switzerland differ by canton, it’s always a good idea to double-check local calendars before booking to avoid any surprises.

Calendar of the bank holidays in Switzerland for 2025

Planning a cross-border getaway? Check out the bank holidays in Austria to see how they align with Switzerland’s and make the most of your days off!