Germany Public
Holidays 2026
A comprehensive guide to all national and state-specific public holidays (Feiertage) across Germanys 16 Bundeslander.
2026 Germany National HolidaysBundesweite Feiertage
| # | Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 – January to March | ||||
| 1 |
New Years Day
Neujahr
|
January 1, 2026 | Thursday | – |
| Q2 – April to June | ||||
| 2 |
Good Friday
Karfreitag
|
April 3, 2026 | Friday | – |
| 3 |
Easter Monday
Ostermontag
|
April 6, 2026 | Monday | – |
| 4 |
Labour Day
Tag der Arbeit
|
May 1, 2026 | Friday | – |
| 5 |
Ascension Day
Christi Himmelfahrt
|
May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Also Fathers Day |
| 6 |
Whit Monday
Pfingstmontag
|
May 25, 2026 | Monday | – |
| Q4 – October to December | ||||
| 7 |
German Unity Day
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
|
October 3, 2026 | Saturday | National Day |
| 8 |
Christmas Day
1. Weihnachtstag
|
December 25, 2026 | Friday | – |
| 9 |
Boxing Day
2. Weihnachtstag
|
December 26, 2026 | Saturday | – |
New Years Day
Neujahr
The first day of the year is celebrated with fireworks, champagne toasts, and Silvester parties the night before. Germans traditionally watch Dinner for One on TV and enjoy Berliner (jam-filled doughnuts) to ring in the new year.
National HolidayEpiphany
Heilige Drei Konige
Commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Children dressed as the Magi go door-to-door singing carols and collecting donations. Traditional chalk blessings are written above doorways.
BW, BY, ST OnlyInternational Womens Day
Internationaler Frauentag
Celebrates womens achievements and promotes gender equality. A public holiday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2019 and 2023 respectively.
Berlin, MV OnlyGood Friday
Karfreitag
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A quiet day with restrictions on public dancing and entertainment in many states. Fish is traditionally eaten instead of meat.
National HolidayEaster Monday
Ostermontag
Extends the Easter celebration with family gatherings and outdoor activities. Children hunt for Easter eggs hidden by the Osterhase (Easter Bunny). Traditional foods include lamb and Easter bread.
National HolidayLabour Day
Tag der Arbeit
Celebrates workers rights and the labour movement. Trade unions organize marches and rallies. Also coincides with Walpurgis Night (Hexennacht) celebrations the evening before.
National HolidayAscension Day
Christi Himmelfahrt
Celebrates Jesus Christs ascension to heaven 40 days after Easter. Also celebrated as Vatertag (Fathers Day) in Germany, when groups of men traditionally go on hiking trips with wagons of beer. Creates a long weekend when paired with a bridge day on Friday.
National HolidayWhit Monday
Pfingstmontag
The day after Pentecost, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit. A popular time for short holidays and outdoor activities. Pfingstochse (Whitsun ox) parades are held in some regions.
National HolidayCorpus Christi
Fronleichnam
Catholic feast celebrating the Eucharist. Elaborate processions with decorated streets and flower carpets are held in Catholic regions. Falls 60 days after Easter.
Catholic StatesPeace Festival
Augsburger Friedensfest
Commemorates the Peace of Westphalia and religious tolerance. The only city-specific public holiday in Germany, celebrated exclusively in the city of Augsburg since 1650.
Augsburg OnlyAssumption of Mary
Maria Himmelfahrt
Catholic feast celebrating the Virgin Marys ascension to heaven. Church services feature blessing of herbs and flowers. A holiday in Bavaria (Catholic communities) and Saarland.
BY, SL PartialGerman Unity Day
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
Germanys national day commemorating the reunification of East and West Germany on October 3, 1990. The only holiday established by federal law. Official celebrations rotate between state capitals with concerts, fireworks, and civic ceremonies.
National DayReformation Day
Reformationstag
Commemorates Martin Luthers posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation. A public holiday in predominantly Protestant northern and eastern German states.
Protestant StatesAll Saints Day
Allerheiligen
Catholic day honouring all saints and martyrs. Families visit cemeteries to decorate graves with flowers and candles. A quiet day with restrictions on entertainment.
Catholic StatesRepentance Day
Buss- und Bettag
Protestant day of prayer and repentance. Once a nationwide holiday, now only observed in Saxony. Falls on the Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year.
Saxony OnlyChristmas Day
1. Weihnachtstag
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Germans exchange gifts on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve). Traditional foods include goose, carp, and Stollen.
National HolidayBoxing Day
2. Weihnachtstag
Second day of Christmas dedicated to visiting extended family and friends. Many attend church services and enjoy leftover Christmas meals.
National HolidayCatholic State Holidays
Catholic-majority states observe additional religious holidays not celebrated nationwide.
- Epiphany (Jan 6): BW, BY, ST
- Corpus Christi (Jun 4): BW, BY, HE, NRW, RP, SL
- Assumption Day (Aug 15): BY (partial), SL
- All Saints Day (Nov 1): BW, BY, NRW, RP, SL
Protestant State Holidays
Protestant-majority states in northern and eastern Germany observe Reformation Day.
- Reformation Day (Oct 31): BB, HB, HH, MV, NI, SN, ST, SH, TH
- Repentance Day (Nov 18): Saxony only
- Became public holiday in 5 states in 2018
- 2017 was one-time national holiday (500th anniversary)
States with Most Holidays
The number of public holidays varies significantly between German states.
- Bavaria: 12-13 holidays (most in Germany)
- Baden-Wurttemberg: 12 holidays
- Saarland: 12 holidays
- Berlin: 10 holidays (includes Womens Day)
- Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony: 10 holidays
Bridge Days (Bruckentage)
Germans maximize holidays by taking bridge days between holidays and weekends.
- May 15: Bridge between Ascension (Thu) and weekend
- June 5: Bridge between Corpus Christi and weekend
- January 2: Bridge after New Years Day
- December 24: Christmas Eve (often half-day)
