> Markdown version of [/magazine/177-zurich-public-holidays-in-2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/177-zurich-public-holidays-in-2024). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Zurich Public Holidays in 2024 

**By:** Eli McGarvie

**Published:** February 21, 2023

Zurich celebrates a number of public holidays throughout the year, each with its own unique traditions and cultural significance. The most important Swiss holiday is National Day, celebrated on August 1st, which commemorates the country's founding in 1291. If you are [living in Switzerland](/magazine/330-guide-for-expats-living-in-switzerland), you can expect to enjoy 12 public holidays.

Other notable holidays include Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, which are celebrated with traditional foods, decorations, and religious services. In addition to these Christian holidays, Zurich also celebrates several secular public holidays, such as New Year's Day, Labor Day, and the Swiss National Exhibition, or "Schwingfest," which is a popular festival featuring traditional Swiss wrestling competitions.

**RELATED:** [**Public Holidays in Switzerland**](/magazine/175-swiss-public-holidays-in-2024)

## List of holidays in Zurich 2024

| Date | Holiday | Day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January 1 | New Years' Day | Monday |
| January 2 | St. Berchtold's Day | Tuesday |
| March 29 | Good Friday | Friday |
| April 1 | Easter Monday | Monday |
| April 15 | Sechseläuten | Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Wednesday |
| May 9 | Ascension Day | Thursday |
| May 20 | Whitmonday | Monday |
| August 1 | National Day | Thursday |
| September 9 | Knabenschiessen | Monday |
| September 15 | Swiss Federal Fast | Sunday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Wednesday |
| December 26 | St. Stephen's Day | Thursday |

## List of holidays in Zurich 2025

| Date | Holiday | Day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January 1 | New Years' Day | Wednesday |
| January 2 | St. Berchtold's Day | Thursday |
| April 18 | Good Friday | Friday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | Monday |
| April 28 | Sechseläuten | Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Thursday |
| May 29 | Ascension Day | Thursday |
| June 9 | Whitmonday | Monday |
| August 1 | National Day | Friday |
| September 8 | Knabenschiessen | Monday |
| September 14 | Swiss Federal Fast | Sunday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Thursday |
| December 26 | St. Stephen's Day | Friday |

‍

## Informal Holidays 2024

**ZüriCarneval** : February 9 – February 11, 2024

- Start: Saturday
- End: Monday

**Muttertag (Mother's Day)**: May 12, 2024 (Sunday)

**Vatertag** : June 2, 2024 (Sunday)

**Züri Fäscht** : July 5-7, 2024

- Start: Friday
- End: Sunday

**Street Parade** : August 10, 2024 (Saturday)

## Types of Swiss holidays

There are several types of holidays in Zurich, including:

### Zurich public holidays

There are **12 public holidays** recognised in Zurich, these include national holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday plus two public holidays celebrated solely in Zurich. The canton of Zurich may also have **additional regional public holidays** which are not observed in the rest of Switzerland.

### Zurich religious holidays

Religious holidays play a significant role in Zurich's cultural heritage, with celebrations and traditions that strengthen the community. Zurich celebrates common religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, as well as **unique festivals like _Sechseläuten_**. The city hosts markets, parades, and decorations during these festive times, with a focus on handmade crafts, food, and traditional costumes. These celebrations are an important part of Zurich's identity and help to preserve its cultural heritage.

### Easter in Zurich

Easter (_Ostern_) is a significant religious holiday in Zurich, celebrated with traditional processions, church services, and cultural events. **Easter in Zurich is from April 18th - April 20th 2025**. Good Friday (_Karfreitag_) and Easter Monday (_Ostermontag_) are public holidays. The city hosts an annual Easter market, featuring handmade crafts, decorations, and traditional foods. Locals also take part in the Easter parade, dressed in traditional costumes and carrying colorful lanterns. Churches in Zurich hold special services, and the city features Easter-themed exhibitions and concerts. These events celebrate the city's cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their faith.

### Canton-specific holidays

Zurich has several unique holidays, including **_Sechseläuten_ on April 15th and _Knabenschiessen_ on September 9th** where people typically work in the morning and have the afternoon off. The [Züri Fäscht](https://www.zuerifaescht.ch/) (July 5-7) and the [Street Parade](https://www.streetparade.com/en/) on August 10th are also popular events that showcase music, dance, and art. These holidays offer a chance to experience the culture and traditions of Zurich.

### Secular Holidays

Zurich also celebrates several secular holidays, including Swiss National Day, Labour Day, and the Zurich Festival. These holidays are usually observed with parades, fireworks, cultural events, and traditional foods.

## How public holidays work in Zurich

Public holidays in Zurich work similarly to other regions in Switzerland. The country recognises a total of 26 national and regional public holidays, with some of them being unique to the Zurich canton.

**On public holidays, most shops, restaurants, and public institutions, including banks and post offices, are closed.** However, there are some exceptions, such as grocery stores, which may have limited hours. Public transport operates on a reduced schedule, and it's essential to check the timetable beforehand.

Employers are required by law to provide their employees with a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation each year, but **employers are not required to provide additional time off for public holidays**. **However, many employers do offer paid time off** for public holidays as a benefit to their employees.



## Related Articles

- [Swiss Public Holidays in 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/175-swiss-public-holidays-in-2024)
- [Berlin Public Holidays in 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/176-berlin-public-holidays-in-2024)
- [German Public Holidays in 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/173-german-public-holidays-in-2024)
- [Vienna Public Holidays 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/178-vienna-public-holidays-2024)

## Related Videos

- [PoC “Austria Experience Data Hub”](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/92-poc-austria-experience-data-hub)
- [1000 things we tried for new work. Here are the results.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1073-1000-things-we-tried-for-new-work-here-are-the-results)
- ["Workation - the (new) freedom to work"](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1086-workation-the-new-freedom-to-work)
- [RPA in the Public Sector](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/86-rpa-in-the-public-sector)

## Related Jobs

- [Software Engineer Public Sector (all genders)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/48214-software-engineer-public-sector-all-genders) at **msg**
- [Lead IT Architect - Modularchitektur Virtualisierung](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1982262-lead-it-architect-modularchitektur-virtualisierung) at **BWI GmbH**
- [Working Student Frontend Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1185791-working-student-frontend-development) at **ZEISS Group**
- [Platform Engineer (f/m/x) - Mercury Runtime Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/48266-platform-engineer-f-m-x-mercury-runtime-platform) at **Raiffeisen Bank International AG**
- [Working Student Data Analytics](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1602779-working-student-data-analytics) at **ZEISS Group**
- [Head of Firmware Development/ Embedded Systems](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1599203-head-of-firmware-development-embedded-systems) at **ZEISS Group**