Assumption Day

The next dates

• 2026Saturday, 15 AugustWeekend
• 2027Sunday, 15 AugustWeekend
• 2028Tuesday, 15 August

In which cantons is Assumption Day a holiday?

• 8cantonspublic holiday throughout the canton
• 3cantonspublic holiday only in parts or under conditions
• 2cantonscantonal rest day
• 13cantonsnot a holiday

Origin

On 15 August, the Catholic Church celebrates the assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven. The feast comes from the Eastern Church, where it is observed as the “Dormition of Mary”. It has been celebrated in Rome since the 7th century and in German-speaking areas since the 9th century. Pope Pius XII only proclaimed the bodily assumption of Mary a dogma in 1950; it is the most recent dogma of the Catholic Church to date. In many places, herbs are blessed on this day. In Aargau, Fribourg and Solothurn, the holiday applies only in part of the canton.

Sources: Vatican News: 15. August, Mariä Himmelfahrt

What the three types mean

Public holiday

Treated like a Sunday (Art. 20a Labour Act). Employees have the day off.

Cantonal rest day

Public rest day under cantonal law, e.g. shops are closed. Under employment law it is a working day.

Customary day off

Not a public holiday, but many employers give the day off. Your employment contract decides whether you are off.