Flags on public holidays in Switzerland: 1 August and cantonal holidays

Public holidays in Switzerland are in principle a matter for the cantons. The Federal Office of Justice’s list of public holidays states: with the exception of 1 August, the cantons decide which days are public holidays. Only New Year’s Day, Ascension Day and Christmas Day are public holidays in every canton. Which flag flies on which holiday is therefore above all a matter of custom and of the calls to fly flags issued by cantons and communes.

1 August

The National Day is set out in Article 110(3) of the Federal Constitution: “1 August is the National Day. For the purposes of employment law, it is treated as a Sunday and is paid.” The Ordinance on the National Day of 30 May 1994 adds that the day is work-free and that full wages are payable.

According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the National Day refers to the Federal Charter of 1291 but was first celebrated in 1891, for the 600th anniversary. From 1899, the Federal Council asked the cantons to ring the bells on the evening of 1 August. For a long time it remained an ordinary working day, until a popular initiative was approved on 26 September 1993 with 83.8 per cent of the vote.

On federal buildings, the Swiss flag is raised under the Federal Council’s instructions on the last working day before 1 August and taken in on the first working day after it. All cantonal flags hang from the north balcony of the Parliament Building. Private households, associations and communes put out particularly many flags on this day, often as hanging flags on balconies and façades, as strings of flags or as lanterns in the national colours. The exact dates are in the guide to flag days.

Cantonal public holidays

The Federal Office of Justice’s list sets out the holidays of each canton. Many are of religious origin, such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, the Assumption or All Saints’ Day, and apply fully, partly or not at all depending on the canton. Some commemorate a canton’s history:

There is also the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer on the third Sunday in September. In the Canton of Vaud, the following Monday (Lundi du Jeûne fédéral) is a public holiday, and the Canton of Geneva has its own holiday, the Jeûne genevois.

When cantons and communes fly flags

Cantons and communes regulate the flags on their own buildings and call for flags to be flown for important public ceremonies. Under Article 5 of the Federal Council’s instructions, such calls apply by analogy to the federal buildings in their area. Occasions can be cantonal holidays, anniversaries, visits or festivals such as a federal gymnastics or shooting festival. Those who want to know when their commune hall flies flags can ask the commune administration.

Flags at festivals and sports events

At festivals and sports events, flags are everywhere in Switzerland, from the Swiss wrestling arena to the public viewing. Under Article 10 of the Coat of Arms Protection Act, anyone may use the Swiss flag and the cantonal flags, provided the use is not misleading or contrary to public order, morality or the law. Under Article 8, even the coats of arms, which are otherwise reserved for the public body, may be used to decorate festivals and events.

For flags on rented flats and in condominiums, the tenancy agreement, house rules or the owners’ association rules may contain rules, especially if something is fixed to the façade. The forms of flags are covered in the guide to flag types, and whether a flag may stay up at night in the guide to flag lighting.