Public holidays in the canton of Neuchâtel
In the canton of Neuchâtel, 9 to 10 public holidays count as equal to Sundays, depending on the area. In at least part of the canton they are: New Year’s Day, St Berchtold’s Day, Neuchâtel Republic Day, Good Friday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Swiss National Day, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day. In 2027, depending on the area, 4 to 5 fall on a working day, plus 1 to 2 possible bridge days.
The canton sets its public holidays differently for different areas:
Public holidays 2027
Area: ganzer Kanton ausser Le Landeron
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 1 March 2027 | Monday | Neuchâtel Republic Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May 2027 | Saturday (weekend) | Labour Day |
| 6 May 2027 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 1 August 2027 | Sunday (weekend) | Swiss National Day |
| 25 December 2027 | Saturday (weekend) | Christmas Day |
Bridge days 2027: Friday, 7 May 2027 (next to Ascension Day)
Area: Gemeinde Le Landeron
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 1 March 2027 | Monday | Neuchâtel Republic Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May 2027 | Saturday (weekend) | Labour Day |
| 6 May 2027 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 27 May 2027 | Thursday | Corpus Christi |
| 1 August 2027 | Sunday (weekend) | Swiss National Day |
| 25 December 2027 | Saturday (weekend) | Christmas Day |
Bridge days 2027: Friday, 7 May 2027 (next to Ascension Day); Friday, 28 May 2027 (next to Corpus Christi)
Public holidays 2026
Area: ganzer Kanton ausser Le Landeron
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 1 March 2026 | Sunday (weekend) | Neuchâtel Republic Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Labour Day |
| 14 May 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 1 August 2026 | Saturday (weekend) | Swiss National Day |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Bridge days 2026: Friday, 2 January 2026 (next to New Year’s Day); Friday, 15 May 2026 (next to Ascension Day)
Area: Gemeinde Le Landeron
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 1 March 2026 | Sunday (weekend) | Neuchâtel Republic Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Labour Day |
| 14 May 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 4 June 2026 | Thursday | Corpus Christi |
| 1 August 2026 | Saturday (weekend) | Swiss National Day |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Bridge days 2026: Friday, 2 January 2026 (next to New Year’s Day); Friday, 15 May 2026 (next to Ascension Day); Friday, 5 June 2026 (next to Corpus Christi)
Listed are the holidays the canton treats as equal to Sundays (Art. 20a para. 1 Labour Act). Other days may be free by custom or contract. Except for 1 August, whether a holiday is paid is a matter of the employment contract (SECO).
Source: SECO, public holidays in Switzerland (Stand 12.12.2024) · SLI-2026-10-10.39
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Switzerland have?
1 August is the only federal public holiday. All others are set by the cantons; 4 days are holidays in all 26 cantons.
Are public holidays paid?
1 August is a paid holiday. For the other holidays, the employment contract or the collective agreement decides whether wages are paid (SECO).
What is a bridge day?
A working day between a public holiday and the weekend, for example the Friday after Ascension Day. Taking it off gives you a long weekend.
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