Home National Day 2025, 2026 and 2027 Swiss National Day, known as Schweizer Bundesfeier in German; Fête Nationale Suisse in French; Festa Nazionale Svizzera in Italian; and Fiasta Naziunala Svizra in Romanian, is typically set for August 1. In 2025, National Day falls on Friday 1 August. The holiday will be on Saturday 1 August in 2026. Holidays in Switzerland are categorised according to established common local holidays, regional observances and seasonal celebrations. Interestingly, the only official public holiday recognised in Switzerland is Swiss National Day observed on 1 August. In Switzerland, the Federal Statute on International Private Law (PILA) determines the terms of employment contracts. Although employment The official celebration of the Confederation takes place on 1 August on this mythical meadow, with an address by the President of the Swiss Confederation to the entire nation. In a 1993 referendum, Swiss National Day was declared a public holiday throughout Switzerland. Bonfires are lit and fireworks are set off all over Switzerland on 1 August. The Tradition of August 1st in Switzerland: An Overview of National Customs Swiss National Day, observed annually on August 1st, is a time when the nation comes together to honor its origins and shared values. The day traces back to the Federal Charter of 1291, a pivotal document that solidified the alliance among the three founding cantons: Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. This alliance was a Swiss National Day on August 1st is more than just a public holiday – it’s a celebration of how Switzerland began. The Federal Charter of 1291 represents a bold act of unity and independence, values that still define the nation today. Discover the official public holidays in Switzerland for the year 2025. Plan your time and events with key dates and cultural observances. Swiss National Day is an annual public holiday in Switzerland taking place on August 1st. This day celebrates the foundation of the Swiss Confederacy, which according to legend, was formed by representatives of the three original cantons, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, who took an oath of confederation in 1291. The 1st of August only became a national public holiday in 1 August 1994. On 26 September 1993, the people of Switzerland voted overwhelmingly (86.3%) for a nationwide public holiday on this date. List of holidays in Switzerland for 2025, Bank holidays, Official Holidays, Public Holidays and National holidays Types of public holidays in Switzerland Swiss holidays are divided into national holidays, which are celebrated by the whole country, and regional holidays, which are recognised by one or more of the 26 individual cantons. Some of these holidays are statutory - meaning most workers are given a day off - while others are non-statutory (see below for more information). Swiss National Day (German: Schweizer Bundesfeiertag; French: Fête nationale suisse; Italian: Festa nazionale svizzera; Romansh: Festa naziunala svizra) is the national holiday of Switzerland, set on 1 August. Although the founding of the Swiss Confederacy was first celebrated on this date in 1891 and annually since 1899, it has only been an official holiday since 1994. [1] Switzerland Public Holidays in 2024 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays. Including Switzerland. Home Switzerland Public Holidays 2025 This page contains a national calendar of all 2025 public holidays. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates. Scroll down to view the national list or choose your canton’s calendar. The public holiday calendar in Switzerland for 2025 and 2026 varies from canton to canton, with some days celebrated nationally and others regionally. New Year's Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, National Day, and Christmas are observed in most or all cantons. What Do People Do? There are celebrations in communities all around Switzerland. In most cases, the official ceremonies include a prayer and the singing of the Swiss national anthem (the Schweizerpsalm). At 8:00 p.m. (20:00) church bells ring throughout the country. Public Life The Bundesfeier is a public holiday in all of Switzerland. Swiss National Day, celebrated on August 1, is the country’s national holiday. Although the Swiss Confederacy was founded on this date in 1891 and has been celebrated annually since 1899, it has only been an official holiday since 1994. Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country boasting several surreal lakes, villages, and the majestic Alps peaks. Its cities have medieval For a list of Swiss National Day events, visit MySwizerland.com As this is a national holiday in Switzerland, most shops and grocery stores remain closed. Public transport operates according to Sunday schedules. Some shops in tourist villages may be open. Grocery stores at train stations and gas station shops are usually open and run normally. It is an official public holiday that everyone in Switzerland celebrates, so only the bare minimum of businesses open on this day. How do the Swiss celebrate Swiss National Day? List of holidays in Switzerland for 2024, Bank holidays, Official Holidays, Public Holidays and National holidays There are four national public holidays in Switzerland that are observed across all 26 cantons in 2025: New Year's Day (January 1), Ascension Day (May 29), Swiss National Day (August 1), and Christmas Day (December 25).
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