Holiday Guide for Switzerland in 2023

Switzerland 2023
Switzerland
2023

Switzerland information

Population: 8.64m
Capital: Berne
Calling Code: (41)
Time Zone: +1 UTC
Currency: Swiss franc
Language: German

List of National Holidays in Switzerland in 2023

New Year's Day


New Year's Day

Switzerland: New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel

Berchtolds Day

 Long Weekend! 
Berchtolds Day

Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Vaud, Zurich: The holiday commemorates Duke Berchtold V, who founded Bern, the capital of Switzerland.

Three King's Day

 Long Weekend! 
Three King's Day

Graubünden, Lucerne, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri: 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.

Republic Day


Republic Day

Neuchâtel: Neuchâtel only. In 1848, Neuchâtel declared itself a republic and part of Switzerland

St. Joseph's Day


St. Joseph's Day

Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais: Feast day of St. Joseph. Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus

Good Friday

 Long Weekend! 
Good Friday

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zug, Zurich: Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Easter Monday

 Long Weekend! 
Easter Monday

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zurich: Easter is probably the most important holiday of the Christian year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus

Näfelser Fahrt


Näfelser Fahrt

Glarus: Marks a pilgrimage to the site of a battle with the Habsburgs in 1388

Sechselauten

 Long Weekend! 
Sechselauten

Zurich: This regional festival originated in medieval times when guildhalls across Zurich celebrated the first day of summer working hours

May Day

 Long Weekend! 
May Day

Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Zurich: This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement

Ascension Day


Ascension Day

Switzerland: This day observes the departure of Jesus from earth after his resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity.

Whit Monday

 Long Weekend! 
Whit Monday

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Zurich: Commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles.

Corpus Christi


Corpus Christi

Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Jura, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug: The Feast of Corpus Christi is a Catholic festival celebrated on the second Thursday after Whitsun

Fête d'Indépendance

 Long Weekend! 
Fête d'Indépendance

Jura: On June 23rd 1974, Jura seceded from Berne becoming the 23rd Canton of Switzerland

Saint Peter and Saint Paul


Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Graubünden, Ticino: The day commemorates the martyrdom of two saints, the two great Apostles, Saint Peter and St. Paul

National Day


National Day

Switzerland: 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

Assumption Day


Assumption Day

Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Jura, Uri, Valais, Zug: The Feast of the Assumption is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin, the mother of Jesus Christ

Assumption Day


Assumption Day

Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino: The Feast of the Assumption is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin, the mother of Jesus Christ

Jeûne genevois


Jeûne genevois

Geneva: Geneva only. A thanksgiving holiday that was originally a medieval fasting day

Knabenschiessen

 Long Weekend! 
Knabenschiessen

Zurich: Zurich only. Knabenschiessen is a traditional shooting competition for teenagers

Swiss Federal Fast


Swiss Federal Fast

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zurich: A Swiss government-arranged multi-denominational holiday celebrated by Christians and the Jewish community

Bettagsmontag

 Long Weekend! 
Bettagsmontag

Bern, Neuchâtel, Vaud: In Bern, Neuchâtel and Vaud, the Monday after 3rd Sunday in September is a holiday known as Bettagsmontag

St Mauritius' Day

 Long Weekend! 
St Mauritius' Day

Appenzell Innerrhoden: Mauritius was a commander of a Roman legion who was martyred for refusing to persecute Christians.

Saint Nicholas of Flüe

 Long Weekend! 
Saint Nicholas of Flüe

Obwalden: Nicholas was a 15th century Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland

All Saints' Day


All Saints' Day

Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Zug: Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs

All Saints' Day


All Saints' Day

Glarus, Valais: Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs

Immaculate Conception Day

 Long Weekend! 
Immaculate Conception Day

Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug: It is a day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life

Christmas Eve


Christmas Eve

Glarus: Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day

 Long Weekend! 
Christmas Day

Switzerland: Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC

St. Stephen's Day


St. Stephen's Day

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Zurich: December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen in Western Christianity. It is observed as a second day of Christmas holidays in several countries.

Restoration Day


Restoration Day

Geneva: Geneva only. Marks the restoration of the Geneva Republic after French occupation by Napoleon.

New Year's Eve


New Year's Eve

Glarus: The last day of the year in the Gregorian calendar is usually celebrated with parties as midnight approaches

Notes

  • Holidays are observed on their calendar date. If the date of a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the holiday will not be moved to a weekday.