Switzerland School Holidays (2026)

School holidays in Switzerland include autumn break, Christmas holiday, Easter holiday, February holiday and summer break. Authorities in individual Swiss cantons (states) set the school holiday dates in Switzerland. The school year usually begins between mid-August or mid-September with over 13 weeks of holidays during this period. These dates are set by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.

All state schools and private schools follow the same holiday dates with slight differences in summer and Christmas breaks. For more updated information, please check individual websites of schools in Switzerland, individual cantons and communes.

When are the school holidays in Switzerland?

Which are the other holidays in Switzerland?

New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day marks the start of the new year based on the Gregorian calendar and is observed on January 1st.

Good Friday
Good Friday is celebrated before Easter Sunday and after Maundy Thursday. This day is observed across Switzerland apart from Ticino and Valais to remember Jesus Christ’s passion, crucifixion, and death.

Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a Christian holiday that is celebrated after Easter Sunday. Easter Monday is celebrated in all Swiss cantons except Neuchatel.

Ascension Day
Ascension Day is the 40th Day of Easter which commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

Pentecost Monday
Pentecost Monday or Whit Monday is a Christian observance which comes after Pentecost that celebrates the descending of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples. This holiday is celebrated across Switzerland except in Neuchatel.

Swiss National Holiday
Swiss National Day is celebrated on August 1st.

Swiss Federal Fast
Swiss Federal Fast is a multi-denominational holiday that is celebrated by all Christian and Jewish communities. The Swiss Federal Fast is observed on the third Sunday of September.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is observed on December 25th.

St. Stephen’s Day
The Feast of Saint Stephen is observed on December 26th after Christmas Day and is celebrated across Switzerland apart from Geneva, Jura, and Vaud. This holiday is also referred to as Boxing Day or the Second Day of Christmas.

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