Berchtold's Day is a regional holiday in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, especially in German-speaking cantons. Its exact origins are uncertain, and over the centuries, the holiday has blended pagan, medieval, and social traditions into a post–New Year celebration.

When is Berchtold's Day?

Berchtold's Day is celebrated on January 2 every year.

The following is the list of Berchtold's Day from 2020 to 2039.

The History of Berchtold's Day

The exact origins of Berchtold's Day remain uncertain, but there are three main historical theories about how Berchtold's Day came to be.

1. Named After Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen

One popular tradition links the day to Duke Berchtold V, a nobleman from the Zähringen dynasty in the 12th century. According to legend, he founded the city of Bern on January 2, after vowing to name it after the first animal he hunted. That animal was a bear ("Bär" in German), hence, Bern.

2. Connection to the Alpine Goddess "Perchta" or "Berchta"

In Alpine pagan folklore, Perchta (also called Berchta) was a female spirit or goddess associated with winter and the New Year, and punishing the lazy and rewarding the diligent. Perchta's feast days were observed around January 2 or 6, and over time, her name may have evolved into "Berchtold" in folk tradition.

3. Guild Celebrations and Post–New Year Social Traditions

In medieval Swiss cities, January 2 became a popular date for guild celebrations, especially in German-speaking regions. These "Gesellschaftsessen" (communal feasts) allowed townspeople, craftsmen and merchants to gather, feast and socialize after the solemnity of New Year's Day.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, Berchtold's Day had become a recognized public holiday in several Swiss cantons. While it gradually lost its pagan and guild-related features, it remained a day for rest and winter outings.