First things first:
- Many holidays have a Christian background, but some are tied to German history.
- Some holidays are nationwide, while others are only in specific federal states or cities.
- Bavaria celebrates more: it has the most public holidays in Germany.
New Year
When? January 1
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? New Year’s Day marks the first day of the year and is celebrated globally as a fresh start. The night before is often spent with friends or family, having raclette or fondue, and making New Year’s resolutions. At midnight, there are fireworks—some organized by cities, but many are private.
Epiphany
When? January 6
Where? Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt
What’s it about? Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—who followed the Star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to baby Jesus. It’s mainly celebrated in Catholic regions with “star singers” who go door to door, blessing homes and families with chalk symbols for protection in the new year.
Good Friday
When? Friday before Easter
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? The day commemorates the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a silent holiday that is deeply rooted in Christianity. Many churches offer silent services that focus on the suffering of Jesus. People traditionally avoid meat and worldly celebrations. For example, in Bavaria, there’s a ban on dancing in nightclubs.
Easter Sunday
When? First Sunday after the first full moon after March 21
Where? Nationwide, but not a public holiday
What’s it about? According to the Bible, Jesus was buried in a rock tomb after the crucifixion and rose on the third day. Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, the core of Christian belief in life after death. Families often spend this day together, taking walks, having festive meals, and engaging in traditions like “egg rolling” or Easter egg hunts.
Easter Monday
When? Monday after Easter
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? Easter Monday is the second holiday after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and symbolizes joy and hope. As a non-working feast day, Easter Monday is the remnant of a rest from work that once lasted from Palm Sunday (last Sunday before Easter) to White Sunday (Sunday after Easter), but from the High Middle Ages onwards ended on the Wednesday after Easter.
Labor Day
When? May 1
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? This international holiday celebrates workers’ rights and achievements. In Germany, it’s marked with rallies and events highlighting social and labor issues. Many towns also celebrate with maypoles and festivals.
Ascension Day
When? 40 days after Easter, on a Thursday
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? This day commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ and marks the end of his earthly ministry. For many Christians, this means Jesus’ return to God and preparation for Pentecost. It’s also celebrated as “Father’s Day” in Germany, with outings and activities honoring fathers.
Pentecost
When? 49 days after Easter Sunday, between May 10 and June 13
Where? Nationwide, but not a public holiday
What’s it about? Pentecost marks the Holy Spirit’s arrival, enabling Jesus’ disciples to spread his teachings. Churches hold services focused on this event.
Whit Monday
When? 50 days after Easter
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? Whit Monday is an additional holiday that allows families and believers to celebrate Pentecost through worship services and joint activities. In many regions there are Pentecost processions and traditional festivals. Traditions include lighting Pentecost fires and releasing white doves, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.
Corpus Christi
When? 60 days after Easter, on a Thursday
Where? Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony (partially) and Thuringia (partially)
What’s it about? Corpus Christi is a Catholic festival that honors the presence of Jesus Christ in the so-called Eucharist. In the Catholic world of faith, the Eucharist is a sacred rite in which bread and wine are consecrated and venerated as the body and blood of Christ. In this way, the faithful remember the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. In many Catholic regions, there are solemn processions on this day, in which a special, artistically designed vessel, the monstrance, is carried through the streets with the consecrated bread. The day underlines the importance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith and in church practice.
Assumption of Mary
When? August 15
Where? Saarland, Bavaria (only in mostly Catholic areas)
What’s it about? This holiday celebrates the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven. The day is celebrated mainly in Catholic areas, often with church services and herb consecrations, where traditional bouquets of herbs are blessed. The festival symbolizes Mary’s purity and closeness to God and is considered an important holiday, especially in Bavaria and Saarland.
German Unity Day
When? October 3
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? The day commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990 after decades of division. National unity is often celebrated with ceremonies and events in the capital Berlin and in other cities. The holiday stands for the peace and togetherness of the reunited Germany.
Reformation Day
When? October 31
Where? Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bremen
What’s it about? Reformation Day remembers Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and split from the Catholic Church in Europe. It is celebrated mainly in Protestant federal states and includes church services and events that remind us of the importance of the Reformation for the Christian church. The Reformation led to the founding of Protestant churches and changed the religious landscape of Europe.
All Saints’ Day
When? November 1
Where? Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate
What’s it about? This Catholic holiday honors all saints, especially those without a designated feast day. The day is often used to visit and decorate the graves of deceased family members. It symbolizes the connection between the living and the deceased and is particularly common in Catholic regions.
Day of Repentance and Prayer
When? Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year
Where? Saxony (public holiday) and Bavaria (school-free)
What’s it about? This Protestant holiday encourages reflection and repentance. It used to be a national holiday but today it is only a work-free day in Saxony. Many believers use the day to pause and pray for peace and reconciliation.
Christmas Eve
When? December 24
Where? Nationwide, but not a public holiday
What’s it about? Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth and is a major Christian holiday. Although Christmas Eve isn’t an official holiday, most families hold gift-giving and a festive meal in the afternoon or evening. Many churches also hold services, including children’s masses.
Christmas Day
When? December 25
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? Christmas Day is also traditionally spent with the family. Festive services and meals are held, and often different parts of the family are visited. The day symbolizes peace, charity, and the beginning of Jesus’ life.
Second Christmas Day
When? December 26
Where? Nationwide
What’s it about? Also called St. Stephen’s Day, it’s an extension of Christmas celebrations. It’s dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and is another day for family gatherings and reflection, with church services and events.
Special cases
The Augsburg Peace Festival on 8 August commemorates the end of religious persecution and the peaceful coexistence of the denominations in Augsburg since 1650. The holiday only applies in Augsburg, making it the only city in Germany with its own public holiday. Another special case is International Women’s Day on 8 March, which was introduced as a public holiday to draw attention to women’s rights and to promote equal rights for women, for example with rallies and demonstrations. However, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are the only federal states in Germany that recognize International Women’s Day as a legal, non-working holiday.
Since 2019 in Berlin and since 2023 also in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Labour Day, German Unity Day, Christmas Day and Christmas Day are celebrated in all federal states.
Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate
Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bremen
In Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony (partially) and Thuringia (partially)
The federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein have the fewest public holidays. They all have 10 public holidays a year. The city of Augsburg has the most with 14.
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