National Holidays in Switzerland in 2019
Touch a holiday for details
: New Year's Day
- New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel
- More details about New Year's Day
: Berchtolds Day
- The holiday commemorates Duke Berchtold V, who founded Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
- More details about Berchtolds Day
: Three King's Day
- A major Christian celebration, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or three wise men. In some countries, it may be known as Three Kings Day.
- More details about Three King's Day
: Republic Day
- Neuchâtel only. In 1848, Neuchâtel declared itself a republic and part of Switzerland
- More details about Republic Day
: St. Joseph's Day
- Feast day of St. Joseph. Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus
- More details about St. Joseph's Day
: Näfelser Fahrt
- Marks a pilgrimage to the site of a battle with the Habsburgs in 1388
- More details about Näfelser Fahrt
: Sechselauten
- This regional festival originated in medieval times when guildhalls across Zurich celebrated the first day of summer working hours
- More details about Sechselauten
: Good Friday
- Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.
- More details about Good Friday
: Easter
- Easter Sunday is the most important date in the Christian church. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus had been placed.
- More details about Easter
: Easter Monday
- Easter is probably the most important holiday of the Christian year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus
- More details about Easter Monday
: May Day
- This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement
- More details about May Day
: Mother's Day
- Muttertag
- More details about Mother's Day
: Ascension Day
- This day observes the departure of Jesus from earth after his resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity.
- More details about Ascension Day
: Father's Day
- Father's Day is a celebration that honours the role of fathers and forefathers
- More details about Father's Day
: Whit Monday
- Commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles.
- More details about Whit Monday
: Corpus Christi
- The Feast of Corpus Christi is a Catholic festival celebrated on the second Thursday after Whitsun
- More details about Corpus Christi
: Fête d'Indépendance
- On June 23rd 1974, Jura seceded from Berne becoming the 23rd Canton of Switzerland
- More details about Fête d'Indépendance
: Saint Peter and Saint Paul
- The day commemorates the martyrdom of two saints, the two great Apostles, Saint Peter and St. Paul
- More details about Saint Peter and Saint Paul
: National Day
- On August 1st 1291, the three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed the Federal Charter on the Rütli field, near to Lake Lucerne
- More details about National Day
: Assumption Day
- The Feast of the Assumption is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin, the mother of Jesus Christ
- More details about Assumption Day
: Jeûne genevois
- Geneva only. A thanksgiving holiday that was originally a medieval fasting day
- More details about Jeûne genevois
: Knabenschiessen
- Zurich only. Knabenschiessen is a traditional shooting competition for teenagers
- More details about Knabenschiessen
: Swiss Federal Fast
- A Swiss government-arranged multi-denominational holiday celebrated by Christians and the Jewish community
- More details about Swiss Federal Fast
: Bettagsmontag
- In Bern, Neuchâtel and Vaud, the Monday after 3rd Sunday in September is a holiday known as Bettagsmontag
- More details about Bettagsmontag
: Saint Nicholas of Flüe
- Nicholas was a 15th century Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland
- More details about Saint Nicholas of Flüe
: All Saints' Day
- Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs
- More details about All Saints' Day
: Immaculate Conception Day
- It is a day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life
- More details about Immaculate Conception Day
: Christmas Day
- Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC
- More details about Christmas Day
: St. Stephen's Day
- December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen in Western Christianity. It is observed as a second day of Christmas holidays in several countries.
- More details about St. Stephen's Day
: Restoration Day
- Geneva only. Marks the restoration of the Geneva Republic after French occupation by Napoleon.
- More details about Restoration Day