Read about National Day in Switzerland in 2025. 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. Switzerland has only four days in a year of National Holidays when all 26 cantons are officially on a day off. These are the following Swiss National Holidays: January 1, Ascension Day, August 1, and December 25. 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 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. Having the day off on August 1 probably goes without saying for many people. But this is only the 30th year that the whole country has the day off on Swiss National Day. Incidentally, Swiss National Day wasn’t always a day off – this was only officially confirmed by a public vote in 1993. Hier erfahren Sie mehr über die Gründung des 1. August 1st swiss celebrate homeland On 1 August, the Swiss celebrate their homeland, commemorating the birth of the Confederation in 1291 with the Rütli Pact. With national pride, they combine history, traditions and a strong sense of community, accompanied by the national anthem, the Swiss Psalm. Although not the oldest nation in the world, Switzerland has enjoyed political continuity since 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). Several hundred people gathered on the Rütli in central Switzerland at midday on Friday to celebrate the national Swiss holiday, before Karin Keller-Sutter addressed the crowd. Explore Switzerland's National Day (August 1st): Discover its rich history, vibrant traditions, and exciting festivities. Learn how Swiss citizens celebrate! Home Switzerland Public Holidays 2024 This page contains a national calendar of all 2024 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. History of Switzerland National Day Every year on August 1, there are bonfires, paper lantern parades, fireworks, and Swiss flags swaying in the breeze. Swiss National Day was first established in 1891, yet it took more than a century for the hardworking Swiss to decide to hold a vote and give themselves the day off. List of holidays in Switzerland for 2025, Bank holidays, Official Holidays, Public Holidays and National holidays 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. 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. The Bundesfeier on August 1 is Switzerland's national holiday. The date was chosen because the Federal Charter of 1291 was dated “at the beginning of the month of August”. The document is considered one of the country's most important founding documents. Is Swiss National Day a Public Holiday? Swiss National Day is a public holiday. Public holidays in Switzerland The 26 cantons that make up Switzerland set their public holidays independently – with the exception of 1 August, [1] which is the only federal holiday. [2] Furthermore, holidays can change depending on employers, and some holidays are specific to only a certain town or village. 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 Swiss National day takes place on the 1st of August every year. It celebrates the signing of the Swiss Federal Charter in 1291 in early August. It is a date that all Swiss celebrate in a variety of ways, from fireworks and bonfires to brunches and BBQs with friends. It is a national holiday that everybody gets with few exceptions. As Swiss National Day approaches, many local officials have been debating whether to allow the public to use fireworks to commemorate the occasion. Now, the vast majority of cantons in Switzerland have given the green light for public and private fireworks displays this August 1.
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