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Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception 2024, 2025 and 2026

In Switzerland, Immaculate Conception is only a public holiday in some cantons where the Roman Catholic population is significant. To Catholics, it is a major religious festival and one on which they are “supposed to” attend holy mass.

YearDateDayHolidayCantons
20248 DecSunImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG
20258 DecMonImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG
20268 DecTueImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG
20278 DecWedImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Immaculate Conception has been a church holy day since 1854, when Pope Pious IX declared it such. It comes on every 8 December and is a marker of the beginning of the Christmas season for many.

Catholic traditions have Mary being conceived by her mother Saint Anne – her father being Saint Joachim, on 8 December. The doctrine states that she was preserved from all sin from the moment of her conception and throughout her entire life.

For many in Switzerland, this is just another day off work to relax at home with family and friends. For others, it is a time to contemplate Mary being conceived as a “pure soul incapable of sinning”.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHolidayCantons
20238 DecFriImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG
20228 DecThuImmaculate Conception AG, AI, FR, GR, LU,
NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR,
VS & ZG