Carnival

Carnival

Event

Carnival in Switzerland is strongly local. Basel, Lucerne, Solothurn, Catholic regions and schools can have very different dates and routines.

Date, scope and practical effect

At a glance

Carnival 2026 includes these dates: Dirty Thursday: ; Shrove Monday: ; Basel Carnival: ; Ash Wednesday: . Not a nationwide public holiday. Local schools, municipalities, clubs or employers can have their own arrangements.

Date
12 Feb - 23 Feb 2026
Important in many carnival towns; exact dates need a local check.
Public holiday status
Not a nationwide public holiday. Local schools, municipalities, clubs or employers can have their own arrangements.
Swiss carnival is primarily a local custom date.
Scope
Switzerland
The canton decides holiday and school consequences; the recurring rule supplies the date.
Practical consequence
Check city, canton, school, transit, parades and closures locally. A nationwide answer is rarely useful for Swiss carnival.
Compare the affected canton before booking leave or childcare.
Dates for planning

Current and upcoming dates

2026

Dirty Thursday
Shrove Monday
Basel Carnival
Ash Wednesday

2027

Dirty Thursday
Shrove Monday
Basel Carnival
Ash Wednesday

2028

Dirty Thursday
Shrove Monday
Basel Carnival
Ash Wednesday

2029

Dirty Thursday
Shrove Monday
Basel Carnival
Ash Wednesday
Planning impact

Swiss carnival is primarily a local custom date.

School

Check local school rules

School-free afternoons, parades or childcare often depend on municipality, school and local carnival date.

Traffic

Check transit and closures

Basel, Lucerne, Solothurn and other carnival towns can strongly affect transit, city centres and getting home.

Work

No automatic leave

Carnival does not create a nationwide day off. Time off comes from canton, municipality, employer, school or holiday leave.

Planning

Choose the region first

Morgestraich, parades, school breaks and local customs do not fall on the same dates everywhere.

Data basis

Recurring date rule, legal status separated

Swiss carnival is primarily a local custom date. The canton decides holiday and school consequences; the recurring rule supplies the date.

Sources reviewed

Sources & review status