Is it a day off?
A public holiday in some regions of Switzerland only: Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Stadt Zürich, Thurgau, Ticino, Zürich.
In 2031 it falls on a Thursday, a working day.
Fixed date: it is on the same day of the year every year (1 May).
Saturday and Sunday · A public holiday does not always close every business. Essential services, shops and some industries keep working, and pay rules differ by country and contract.
International Workers' Day
International Workers' Day, on 1 May, honours the labour movement and the struggle for workers' rights, above all the eight-hour working day. In most of Europe it is a public holiday under names such as Labour Day, Festa dei Lavoratori, Tag der Arbeit or Fête du Travail. Trade unions and left-wing parties traditionally organise marches and rallies, and in several countries the day has a long history as a demonstration of political strength.
May Day has older roots in the spring festivals of northern and central Europe, with maypoles, dancing and the arrival of warm weather. The two traditions sit side by side in Finland, where Vappu is both a workers' day and a lively student carnival, and in Germany, where the night before is Walpurgis Night. In Italy the day is known for a very large free concert in Rome, and in France people give each other sprigs of lily of the valley.
International Workers' Day: all countries
Dates by year
- 2024: Wednesday, 1 May 2024
- 2025: Thursday, 1 May 2025
- 2026: Friday, 1 May 2026
- 2027: Saturday, 1 May 2027
- 2028: Monday, 1 May 2028
- 2029: Tuesday, 1 May 2029
- 2030: Wednesday, 1 May 2030
- 2031: Thursday, 1 May 2031
- 2032: Saturday, 1 May 2032
- 2033: Sunday, 1 May 2033
- 2034: Monday, 1 May 2034
- 2035: Tuesday, 1 May 2035
Where it applies
Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Stadt Zürich, Thurgau, Ticino, Zürich