New Year's Eve

The next dates

• 2026Thursday, 31 December
• 2027Friday, 31 December
• 2028Sunday, 31 DecemberWeekend

In which cantons is New Year's Eve a holiday?

• 1cantoncustomary day off
• 25cantonsnot a holiday

Origin

In German, the last day of the year is named after Pope Sylvester I, who died in Rome on 31 December 335; this day is his feast day. New Year's Eve is not a public holiday in any canton. In the Appenzell hinterland, the Silvesterchläuse go from farm to farm in groups on this day, ringing their bells and singing Zäuerli, a wordless yodel, in front of every house. There are “beautiful”, “beautiful-ugly” and “ugly” ones. Because the Protestants of Appenzell Ausserrhoden long resisted the Gregorian calendar, several municipalities also celebrate the “Old New Year's Eve” on 13 January, which is 31 December in the Julian calendar.

Sources: Wikipedia: Pope Sylvester I · SRF: Alter Silvester in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

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.