Geneva old town during the Geneva Fast period

Geneva Fast

Cantonal holiday Canton of Geneva Falls on: Thursday 1 leave day = 4 days

Geneva Fast falls on Thursday, 10 September in 2026. It is a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, not nationwide.

Author
Ferien-Kalender.ch editorial team
Last checked
Source basis
official sources and editorial review

Geneva Fast falls on Thursday, 10 September in 2026. It is a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, not nationwide. Canton of Geneva; Geneva Fast is not a cantonal public holiday in the other 25 cantons.

Geneva Fast 2026

Date, scope and what changes

Plan Geneva separately from Federal Fast Monday

Geneva Fast falls on Thursday, 10 September in 2026. It is a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, not nationwide. Only Swiss National Day on 1 August has federal constitutional holiday status. Geneva Fast is governed by the canton of Geneva.

Canton of Geneva; Geneva Fast is not a cantonal public holiday in the other 25 cantons.

Approved leave on Friday, 11 September creates a four-day break in Geneva; outside Geneva, Thursday is a normal working day.

Geneva's official local name is Jeûne genevois, a distinct Geneva observance rather than the later federal fast.

Date
Thursday after the first Sunday in September.
Scope
Canton of Geneva
Canton of Geneva; Geneva Fast is not a cantonal public holiday in the other 25 cantons.
Planning
1 leave day = 4 days
In Geneva, taking Friday off links 10 to 13 September; the break does not apply to workplaces outside Geneva.
1 leave day = 4 days

Take Friday leave for a four-day Geneva break

In Geneva, taking Friday off links 10 to 13 September; the break does not apply to workplaces outside Geneva.

Take 11 September as leave only for Geneva. In Geneva, taking Friday off links 10 to 13 September; the break does not apply to workplaces outside Geneva.

Employment: Where Geneva Fast applies, work on Thursday follows public-holiday rules and permitted exceptions; employer and applicable agreement determine the details.

School: The Geneva school calendar is decisive; outside Geneva, Geneva Fast does not create a school day off.

Opening hours: Shops and services in Geneva may have special Jeûne genevois hours; check the local provider before relying on access.

Calendar effect
10 September 2026 to 13 September 2026
1 leave day = 4 days

Assumption: Monday-Friday working week.

Workplace applicability is not confirmed; no leave days are preselected. Local or partial employment entitlement for Geneva Fast (2026-09-10) at the workplace in Switzerland must be confirmed with the municipality and employer.

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Geneva

Plan Geneva separately from Federal Fast Monday

The Geneva Fast applies on Thursday in the canton of Geneva. It is distinct from Federal Fast Monday, which applies the following Monday only in Vaud.

Geneva Fast in Switzerland
The Geneva Fast applies on Thursday in the canton of Geneva. It is distinct from Federal Fast Monday, which applies the following Monday only in Vaud.

Geneva's fast and day of prayer

The Geneva Fast is a distinct cantonal holiday rooted in Reformed tradition. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September and is separate from the Federal Fast.

Plum tart

Plum tart is traditionally associated with the Geneva Fast as a simple food linked to fasting. The custom belongs to Geneva rather than Switzerland as a whole.

For travel or participation, use the local information published for the affected canton or municipality.

Sources & further reading

  1. SECO: leisure and public holidays : Federal guidance distinguishing the nationwide holiday from cantonal holidays.
  2. Swiss Labour Act Art. 20a : Federal labour rule for canton-designated holidays.
  3. Federal Constitution Art. 110 : constitutional status of Swiss National Day.
  4. Historical federal compilation (2011) : Historical context only; not current scope authority.
  5. EDK school holidays : Cantonal school-holiday source.
  6. Canton of Geneva: official holidays : current official cantonal calendar for 2026.
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