Public holidays in Switzerland in 2024 by canton

In Switzerland, the celebration of public holidays is particularly significant, reflecting the country’s cultural richness and diversity. Each canton, with its own history and traditions, has its specific public holidays, showcasing Switzerland’s unique federal structure.

This uniqueness makes Swiss public holidays a reflection of the various facets of Swiss identity, blending local traditions with national celebrations.

Public holidays 2024 by Canton

Public holidays – Canton of Geneva

Here is the list of public holidays for the canton of Geneva for the year 2024 :

Public holidays – Canton of Vaud

Here is the list of public holidays for the Canton of Vaud for the year 2024 :

Public holidays – Canton of Valais

Here is the list of public holidays for the Canton of Valais for the year 2024 :

Public holidays – Canton of Neuchâtel (2024)

Here is the list of public holidays for the Canton of  Neuchâtel for the year 2024 :

Public holidays in Switzerland : a bit of history

Public holidays in Switzerland have a rich and fascinating history that delves into the country’s past. The earliest public holidays in Switzerland were often linked to religious festivals, with dates varying from one region to another due to the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

The number of bank holidays in Switzerland ranges from eight to fifteen days depending on the canton, with only Christmas, New Year’s Day, National Day, and Ascension Day observed in all cantons.

Only the Swiss National Day on August 1st has been established in the Federal Constitution since 1994.

Other holidays, such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, and the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, are recognized by the cantons based on their religious traditions, which are mainly Catholic or Protestant.

Besides public holidays, there are also “non-working days” where many businesses and administrations are closed, or “bridge days” are taken, such as the Friday after Ascension Day.

The various bank holidays celebrated in Switzerland

Switzerland, with its federal structure, offers a mosaic of public holidays reflecting the country’s cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity.

This diversity is represented by national public holidays celebrated throughout the country, as well as a multitude of cantonal and even communal holidays, specific to each region.

National public holidays

Some public holidays are uniformly celebrated across Switzerland, fostering a sense of national unity among different linguistic and cultural communities :

• New year’s day (January 1st) : marking the beginning of the year
• National day (August 1st) : this day celebrates the foundation of the Swiss Confederation in 1291
• Christmas (December 25th) : celebrates the birth of Christ

Cantonal and regional public holidays

Beyond the national public holidays, each Swiss canton has the freedom to determine its own public holidays, reflecting local traditions and historical specificities.

Here are some notable examples :

• Good Friday : is observed as a bank holiday in most Swiss cantons, except for Valais and Ticino.
• Ascension day : a Christian feast celebrating Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven after his resurrection.
• Pentecost : commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles of Jesus Christ, fifty days after the resurrection.
• Federal day of Thanksgiving : most often celebrated in the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud, it is generally marked by prayers and family gatherings.
• Geneva fast : observed as a specific public holiday in the canton of Geneva, it is the Thursday following the first Sunday of September.
• Zibelemärit : generally the last Monday of November is a traditional onion market in Bern.
• Sechseläuten : marking the arrival of spring is celebrated by the canton of Zurich.

Addressing public holidays in the workplace

Public holidays in Switzerland are governed by a combination of federal, cantonal, and sometimes communal laws, leading to a great diversity in their application. This particularly affects the remuneration of Swiss employees under employment contracts.

Practices vary significantly from one canton to another and from one company to another, making it essential for employers and employees to understand their rights and obligations.

General legal framework

In Switzerland, the Labor Law (LL) sets the legal framework for the remuneration of public holidays. According to this law, official public holidays recognized by the canton where the employee works are generally considered paid rest days.

However, the LL allows cantons to determine their own official public holidays, resulting in a wide variety of practices across the country.

Remuneration for public holidays

The remuneration for public holidays depends on several factors, including the specific conditions of the employment contract, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the usual practices of the company.

In general, if an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they must receive additional compensation or compensatory time off, in addition to their regular salary.

Employment contract and public holidays

It is crucial that employment contracts clearly specify how public holidays are addressed, including:

• List of recognized public holidays : contracts should specify which public holidays are recognized by the company, taking into account cantonal specificities.
• Remuneration : the terms of remuneration for worked or unworked public holidays must be clearly defined.
• Working during public holidays : the conditions of work, including the need to work during these days and the provisions for compensation (additional payment, compensatory rest time), must be specified.

Conclusion

Knowing the public holidays by canton in Switzerland is essential, not only for planning professional and personal activities but also for a full appreciation of the country’s cultural and historical richness.

Each public holiday, whether national or cantonal, carries a part of Swiss identity, reflecting the traditions, beliefs, and history that shape Swiss society in all its diversity.

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