⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
In Geneva, cafés-restaurants and bars follow maximum opening hours set by the Canton. Every year, the end-of-year holidays bring relaxed rules. The Cantonal Office for Labour Inspection and Relations (OCIRT) had announced them in the Official Gazette (FAO) of 30 October 2026.
The key points
The OCIRT published on 9 November 2026 the extended December opening hours. All cafés-restaurants and bars holding an operating licence may stay open until 3 am . The extension applies on Friday-to-Saturday and Saturday-to-Sunday nights throughout December.
Three nights have no closing time : Escalade, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Establishments that already hold an exemption from the maximum opening hours keep their usual arrangements. They do, however, benefit from unlimited opening on these three nights.
Key figures
- 3 am : authorised closing time on Friday and Saturday nights in December
- 3 nights with no closing time: 12 to 13 December, 24 to 25 December and 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
What it means for businesses
- Cafés-restaurants and bars : longer opening hours at weekends in December, with no extra formalities
- Establishments with an exemption : they keep their hours and add unlimited opening on the three holiday nights
What's next
- First night with no closing time at Escalade, from 12 to 13 December 2026
