Whit Monday

The next dates

• 2026Monday, 25 May
• 2027Monday, 17 May
• 2028Monday, 5 June

In which cantons is Whit Monday a holiday?

• 13cantonspublic holiday throughout the canton
• 2cantonspublic holiday only in parts or under conditions
• 4cantonscantonal rest day
• 7cantonscustomary day off

Origin

Whitsun (Pentecost) is celebrated 50 days after Easter; the name Pentecost comes from the Greek “pentekosté”, the fiftieth. According to the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples on this day, whereupon they began to preach and to speak in other languages. Pentecost is therefore regarded as the birth of the Church. Since the Middle Ages, a white dove has been the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Like Easter Monday, Whit Monday extends the feast by one day. Because Whitsun depends on Easter, Whit Monday always falls between 11 May and 14 June.

Sources: Südostschweiz: Das ist an Pfingsten passiert

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.