Switzerland 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, you can expect to enjoy 9 public holidays a year.
Other notable holidays include Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, which are celebrated with traditional foods, decorations, and religious services. In addition to these Christian holidays, Switzerland also celebrates several secular public holidays, such as New Year's Day, Labour Day, and the Swiss National Exhibition, or "Schwingfest," which is a popular festival featuring traditional Swiss wrestling competitions.
RELATED: Public Holidays in Zurich
Types of Swiss holidays
There are a few different types of holidays in Switzerland that are worth mentioning:
Switzerland public holidays
In general, Switzerland has around 9 to 10 national public holidays, including New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Swiss National Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. However, some cantons may also have additional regional public holidays, which can vary based on local traditions and customs
Switzerland religious holidays
Switzerland is predominantly a Christian country, so many of its holidays are based on religious observances. Some of the most significant religious holidays in Switzerland include Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas. During these holidays, many Switzerland's attend church services and spend time with their families.
Easter in Switzerland
Easter (Ostern) is one of the most popular holidays celebrated in Switzerland, second only to the Christmas season. Easter in Switzerland is from March 29 - April 1, 2023. Good Friday (Karfreitag) and Easter Monday (Ostermontag) are public holidays. Easter Monday is also a public holiday in many parts of Switzerland and is a day for relaxation and spending time with loved ones. Many people take the opportunity to travel or engage in leisure activities, such as hiking or skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Cultural holidays
Each canton in Switzerland also has its own regional holidays, such as the Geneva Festival in August and the Chalandamarz festival in the canton of Graubünden, which celebrates the arrival of spring. Overall, public holidays in Switzerland are an important time for people to come together and celebrate their country's rich history and cultural heritage.
Significance of Holidays
Holidays in Switzerland hold great importance because they reflect the country's rich cultural and historical traditions. They are an opportunity for people to celebrate their heritage and national identity, and to come together with family and friends.
List of holidays in Switzerland 2023
List of holidays in Switzerland 2024
Regional Swiss holidays
How public holidays work in Switzerland
In Switzerland, public holidays mean most businesses are closed, just like Sundays. Employees get the day off and are still paid. The holidays celebrated depend on the state where you work, not where you live. Each Swiss canton has different public holidays; for example, Genfer Bettag is a public holiday in Geneva, but not in Zurich.
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