From Labour Day rallies to new air and rail travel options – there are some big changes and events to know about in Switzerland in May 2026.
May 1st: Labour Day
Like many other countries, Switzerland is celebrating Labour Day on May 1st (which has nothing to do with the Labor Day in the United States, which falls on the first Monday of September).
In Switzerland, it is also known as International Workers’ Day and May Day, and is mostly marked by trade unions and left-leaning groups.
It is not, however, a public holiday throughout Switzerland – it is celebrated in some cantons but not in others.
It is a holiday in Zurich, Basel–City, Basel–Country, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Thurgau and Ticino.
In Aargau and Solothurn, people are usually given a half day off (from noon).
May 1st: Domestic violence hotline is launched
After some delays due to logistics, the national three-digit emergency number. 142, is set to be introduced on this day.
Anyone who is a victim of this kind of abuse can call this number 24/7, for fee.
May 14th: Ascension
This Christian celebration is a national public holiday in Switzerland.
While the following day, Friday the 15th, is not a public holiday — that is, stores and most other businesses operate as usual — schools and some offices remain closed until Monday.
READ MORE: How the Swiss mark Ascension Day
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May 15th: Tax time in Bern
The tax deadline in Switzerland was on March 31st.
But residents of Bern who filed for extension must send in their tax declarations by May 15th.
The six other cantons with tax extension deadline in May (the 30th to be exact) are Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Luzern, Schwyz, St. Gallen, Uri, and Valais.
READ MORE: The 2026 Swiss tax declaration deadlines in each canton
May 21st: Basel EuroAirport reopens
After a five-week closure to renovate its main runway – during which only one airline, EasyJet, was operating – the airport will fully reopen on this day.
More than 25 companies which regularly use the EuroAirport will resume their flights.
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May 25th: Pentecost – Whit Monday
Following closely after Ascension is Whit Monday, a religious observance also called Pentecost.
It is a national holiday, except in the cantons of Neuchâtel, Soloturn, Valais, and Zug.
Travel news:
Flights to and from Switzerland will debut or be extended throughout the month.
May 3rd: Air Baltic is will offer a new nonstop service between Zurich and Vilnius.
Three weekly flights are planned, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
From May 29th to September 14th: Edelweiss will fly from Zurich to Glasgow every Monday and Friday.
Train travel:
From May 30th until October 4th: A train connecting Zurich to the Italian city of Rimini will be put into service.
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Also in May: remaining Swiss ski resorts close
While most resorts in the Swiss Alps have already shut down. some, located at high altitudes, remain operational.
They will, however, officially end their ski seasons in May:
- Zermatt: May 3rd
- Engelberg: May 3rd
- St. Moritz: May 3rd
- Adelboden: May 5th
