St. Stephen's Day 2025 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, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

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.

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.