German Public Holidays Explained: National, State and Quiet Days
Understand German public holidays, from nationwide and state-specific dates to quiet days, Sunday rules, bridge days, traditions and travel planning.
11 min readGermany holiday calendar
Public holidays in Germany 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Germany public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 9
- Regional dates
- 9
- Observances
- 2
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in Germany
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Germany calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. May and November are the busiest months, with 3 listed dates.
Germany holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 20 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayGermany’s nationwide January 1 public holiday begins the civil year after Silvester. | Public holiday | — | |
| EpiphanyJanuary 6 is statutory in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt and a church feast elsewhere. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Rose MondayThe Monday before Ash Wednesday is Germany’s Carnival climax, not a statutory holiday. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Women’s DayMarch 8 is statutory in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and an advocacy day nationwide. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayThe Friday before Easter is a nationwide statutory holiday and specially protected quiet day. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter MondayThe Monday after Easter Sunday is statutory throughout Germany and completes the Easter weekend. | Public holiday | — | |
| Labour DayMay 1 is Germany’s nationwide statutory Labour Day, joining union campaigns and spring customs. | Public holiday | — | |
| Ascension DayAscension Thursday is a nationwide holiday also associated with German Father’s Day outings. | Public holiday | — | |
| Whit MondayThe Monday after Pentecost is statutory throughout Germany and closes an early-summer weekend. | Public holiday | — | |
| Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi is statutory in six Länder and designated Catholic areas of Saxony and Thuringia. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Augsburg Peace FestivalAugust 8 is Augsburg’s unique municipal statutory holiday for religious parity and civic peace. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Assumption DayAugust 15 is statutory throughout Saarland and in Catholic-majority Bavarian municipalities. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Assumption Day in Germany. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| World Children’s DaySeptember 20 is Thuringia’s statutory children’s-rights holiday and an observance elsewhere. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of World Children’s Day in Germany. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| German Unity DayOctober 3 is Germany’s national holiday marking reunification in 1990. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of German Unity Day in Germany. | Public holiday | — | |
| Reformation DayOctober 31 is statutory in nine northern and eastern Länder and a Protestant commemoration nationwide. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| All Saints’ DayNovember 1 is statutory in five Länder and a Catholic feast nationwide. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Day of MourningVolkstrauertag is Germany’s civic remembrance Sunday for victims of war and tyranny. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Repentance DayThe Wednesday before November 23 is statutory only in Saxony and observed by Protestants elsewhere. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Christmas DayDecember 25 is the first of Germany’s two nationwide statutory Christmas holidays. | Public holiday | — | |
| Second Christmas DayDecember 26 is Germany’s nationwide second Christmas public holiday. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Second Christmas Day in Germany. | Public holiday | — |
Stories behind the dates
Understand Germany holidays and traditions
Go beyond the calendar with editorial guides to public-holiday rules, historical context and the ways people observe important dates.
Sources for Germany holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- gesetze-bayern.dePrimary calendar source
- koelnerkarneval.dePrimary calendar source
- berlin.dePrimary calendar source
- dgb.dePrimary calendar source
- augsburg.dePrimary calendar source
- parldok.thueringer-landtag.dePrimary calendar source
- gesetze-im-internet.dePrimary calendar source
- revosax.sachsen.dePrimary calendar source
- bundestag.dePrimary calendar source