Public holidays in Switzerland 2026: An overview of all national and cantonal holidays

The Public holidays in Switzerland 2026 Public holidays vary significantly from canton to canton. Only one public holiday is legally mandated throughout Switzerland: August 1st. All other public holidays are regulated at the cantonal level. Here you can find the complete overview for 2026.

1. National Holiday of Switzerland 2026

The only public holiday throughout Switzerland:

• August 1, 2026 – Swiss National Day
  It is a public holiday in all 26 cantons.

---

2. Public holidays widely observed throughout Switzerland in 2026

These holidays are observed in the majority of cantons:

Date	Holiday	validity
January 1, 2026	New Year	in all cantons
April 2, 2026	Maundy Thursday (partly half-day)	regional
April 3, 2026	Good Friday	in almost all, not TI & VS
April 5, 2026	Easter Sunday	Switzerland-wide
April 6, 2026	Easter Monday	Switzerland-wide
May 14, 2026	driveway	Switzerland-wide
May 24, 2026	Pentecost Sunday	Switzerland-wide
May 25, 2026	Whit Monday	Switzerland-wide
December 25, 2026	Christmas	in all cantons
December 26, 2026	St. Stephen's Day	in many places, not across Switzerland

---

3. Important cantonal holidays in 2026

January 2, 2026 – Berchtold's Day

ZH, BE, LU, SZ, OW, NW, GL, ZG, FR, SO, SH, AG, TG

January 6, 2026 – Epiphany

SZ, UR, TI, parts of GR

March 19, 2026 – St. Joseph's Day

LU, NW, SZ, UR, TI, VS, AI

June 4, 2026 – Corpus Christi

LU, UR, SZ, NW, ZG, FR, SO, TI, VS, AI (among others)

August 15, 2026 – Assumption of Mary

LU, UR, SZ, NW, ZG, FR, SO, AG (partially), TI, VS, AI

November 1, 2026 – All Saints' Day

LU, UR, SZ, NW, ZG, FR, SO, AG (partly), TI, VS, AI

12th-13th December 2026 – L'Escalade (GE)

Geneva (local historical holiday)

---

4. Which cantons will have the most public holidays in 2026?

Many holidays:

• Ticino
• Valais
• Lucerne
• Appenzell Innerrhoden

Few public holidays:

• Geneva
• Neuenburg
• Vaud

---

5. Special features of the Swiss public holiday system

• Public holidays ≠ nationally uniform
• Each canton decides for itself.
• Some holidays are only observed for half a day.
• Many public holidays are equivalent to "Sundays" (shops closed).

---

Conclusion

The Public holidays in Switzerland 2026 are as diverse as the country itself. Anyone planning for 2026—whether travel, holidays, or working hours—should be well aware of the differences between the cantons.