Switzerland is a beautiful country known for its stunning landscapes, delicious chocolate, and efficient public transportation. But did you know that it also has a rich history and culture, with many public holidays that are celebrated throughout the year? If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland in 2024, here are the important dates to keep in mind.
2024 Calendar
Before we dive into the public holidays, let’s take a look at the 2024 calendar for Switzerland. The year 2024 will have 365 days, with 52 Sundays and 11 public holidays. The first day of the year will be a Monday, and the last day will be a Tuesday. The calendar also includes school holidays, which may affect your travel plans if you’re planning to visit with children.
Swiss Holidays
Switzerland has a mix of religious and national holidays, with some dates varying from canton to canton. However, seven public holidays are celebrated nationwide. These include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Swiss National Day, and Christmas Day. These holidays are observed by all businesses and government offices, and most shops and restaurants
will be closed.
Switzerland Public Holidays 2024
In addition to the seven nationwide holidays, four cantonal holidays are observed in certain regions of Switzerland. These include Berchtold’s Day (January 2nd), St. Joseph’s Day (March 19th), Corpus Christi (June 20th), and Immaculate Conception (December 8th). If you’re planning to visit a specific canton during these dates, it’s best to check with local authorities to see if there will be any closures or changes in public transportation schedules.
| Holiday | Date | Cantons |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan/01 | National |
| St. Berchtold’s Day | Jan/02 | Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Lucerne, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Vaud |
| Three Kings Day | Jan/06 | Lucerne, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri |
| Republic Day | Mar/01 | Neuchâtel |
| Saint Joseph’s Day | Mar/19 | Lucerne, Nidwalden, Solothurn, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais |
| Good Friday | Mar/29 | National except Ticino and Valais |
| Easter Monday | Apr/01 | National except Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, Zug |
| Näfelser Fahrt | Apr/04 | Glarus |
| Sechseläuten* | Apr/15 | Zurich |
| Labour Day | May/01 | Basel-Stadt, Zurich |
| May Day | May/01 | Aargau, Basel-Land, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino |
| Ascension Day | May/09 | National |
| Whitsun* | May/19 | Bern |
| Whit Monday | May/20 | National except Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, Zug |
| Corpus Christi | May/30 | Aargau, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Graubünden, Ticino, Valais, Jura |
| Jura Independence Day | Jun/23 | Jura |
| Solemnity Burgdorf* | Jun/24 | Burgdorf (Bern) |
| Braderie* | June/28-30 | Biel / Bienne (Bern) |
| Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Day* | Jun/29 | Graubünden, Ticino |
| Swiss National Day | Aug/01 | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug/15 | Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Jura, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, St. Gallen, Solothurn, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug |
| Genfer Bettag* | Sep/05 | Geneva |
| Knabenschiessen* | Sep/09 | Zurich |
| Swiss Federal Fast | Sep/15 | Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel- Land, Fribourg, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Schwyz, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Valais, Zug, Zurich |
| Bettagsmontag* | Sep/16 | Geneva, Neuchâtel, Vaud |
| St Mauritius’ Day | Sep/22 | Appenzell Innerrhoden |
| Thuner Ausschiesset* | Sep/23 | Thun (Bern) |
| Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day* | Sep/25 | Obwalden |
| All Saints’ Day | Nov/01 | Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Aargau, Valais |
| Immaculate Conception | Dec/08 | Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Graubünden, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Solothurn, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Valais, Zug |
| Christmas Eve | Dec/24 | Glarus |
| Christmas Day | Dec/25 | National |
| St Stephen’s Day | Dec/26 | National except Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, Vaud, Zug |
| New Year’s Eve | Dec/31 | Glarus |
| Refounding of the Republic of Geneva | Dec/31 | Geneva |
Swiss flag Celebrating Swiss National Day
One of the most important holidays in Switzerland is Swiss National Day, which is celebrated on August 1st. This holiday commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291 and is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and traditional Swiss food and drinks. If you’re in Switzerland during this time, be sure to join in on the festivities and experience the patriotic spirit of the Swiss people.
Planning Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit Switzerland in 2024, it’s important to keep these public holidays in mind when making your travel plans. While some businesses and attractions may be closed on these dates, it’s also a great opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions. You can also plan your trip around these holidays to attend special events and celebrations.
Conclusion
Switzerland is a country with a rich history and culture, and its public holidays are a reflection of that. Whether you’re planning to visit for leisure or business, it’s important to be aware of these dates to avoid any disruptions to your travel plans. So mark your calendars and get ready to experience the beauty and charm of Switzerland in 2024.
Have you celebrated any of these holidays in Switzerland?
