School holidays

Christmas break 2026/27

Exact school-holiday ranges by canton or school group, with planning links and subscription options.

Answer

When is it?

Christmas break 2026/27 is staggered by canton or school group. The first range is 19 December 2026 - 3 January 2027 for AG, AI, AR, BL, BS, FR, LU, NE, NW, SG, SO, TG, VS, ZG, and ZH; the cards below show every group.

Upcoming date
180 days until Christmas break

Check family travel, childcare and busy travel windows early.

Exact dates

By canton group

Full overview
AG, AI, AR, BL, BS, FR, LU, NE, NW, SG, SO, TG, VS, ZG, and ZH

19 December 2026 - 3 January 2027

Aargau Appenzell Innerrhoden Appenzell Ausserrhoden Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Freiburg Luzern Neuenburg Nidwalden St. Gallen Solothurn Thurgau Wallis Zug Zürich
16 days
School year 2026/27 30% · 109 days until christmas break
GR

23 December 2026 - 5 January 2027

Graubünden
14 days
School year 2026/27 31% · 113 days until christmas break
BE, GE, GL, JU, UR, and VD

24 December 2026 - 10 January 2027

Bern Genf Glarus Jura Uri Waadt
18 days
School year 2026/27 31% · 114 days until christmas break
OW and TI

24 December 2026 - 6 January 2027

Obwalden Tessin
14 days
School year 2026/27 31% · 114 days until christmas break
SH

24 December 2026 - 3 January 2027

Schaffhausen
11 days
School year 2026/27 31% · 114 days until christmas break
SZ

25 December 2026 - 6 January 2027

Schwyz
13 days
School year 2026/27 32% · 115 days until christmas break
Data basis

Official EDK dates, grouped by canton

The displayed date rows are grouped from official EDK school-holiday data. Movable school-free days, local arrangements and school-specific deviations are still separate checks.

EDK school-holiday regulation EDK holiday calendar
What to do next

Use the date, then plan around it

Christmas break belongs next to Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and the first school week.

Families

Childcare first

School-free weekdays still need childcare or approved leave.

Work

Not automatically off

School holidays do not replace employment leave rules.

Travel

Expect demand peaks

Starts and ends can affect traffic, booking windows and family destinations.

FAQ

Common questions about christmas break

Short answers about canton differences, work leave and planning.

Are christmas break dates the same in every canton?

No. Christmas break dates differ by canton or school group. The table on this page shows the exact range for each group.

Do christmas break mean parents are automatically off work?

No. Christmas break affect school schedules and childcare planning, but work leave still depends on employment rules and approved vacation days.

How should I plan around christmas break?

Christmas break belongs next to Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and the first school week. Use the planner for public holidays, calendar weeks for project timing and the calendar subscription for ongoing updates.