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St. Stephen's Day 2026 in Switzerland

The Feast of Saint Stephen on December 26 is a public holiday in many areas of Switzerland. The observation is today commonly considered the second and last day of Christmas. However, according to Christian liturgy, it is not related to the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, but it is a religious holiday in its own right.

Is St. Stephen's Day a Public Holiday?

St. Stephen's Day is a public holiday in 17 cantons. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

In 2026, it falls on a Saturday, and some businesses may choose to follow Saturday opening hours.

The last Christmas sweets are eaten on St. Stephen's Day.

©iStockphoto.com/Adrian Assalve

What Do People Do?

Many people in Switzerland spend St. Stephen's Day with family and friends. Some may attend a church service, others use the last work-free day of the Christmas period to relax at home or go on long walks or skiing trips.

Background

According to the Bible, Saint Stephen lived in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. In Christianity, he is considered the protomartyr because he is said to be the first person martyred for his faith in Christ.

St. Stephen's Day Observances

Year Weekday Date Name Holiday Type Area
2021 Sun Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2021 Sun Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2022 Mon Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2022 Mon Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday AG*, FR*, NE
2023 Tue Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2023 Tue Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2024 Thu Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2024 Thu Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2025 Fri Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2025 Fri Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2026 Sat Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2026 Sat Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2027 Sun Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2027 Sun Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2028 Tue Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2028 Tue Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2029 Wed Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2029 Wed Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2030 Thu Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2030 Thu Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
2031 Fri Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Local Holiday Aargau*, Fribourg*
2031 Fri Dec 26 St. Stephen's Day Common Local Holiday 15 cantons
* Only some parts of Aargau and Fribourg observe this holiday.

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.

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