'Public Holidays and Traditions in Germany: Calendar, Regions and What
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Public holidays in Germany offer a quick way to understand local culture: some dates are observed across the whole country, others depend on the federal state, and many traditions take the form of city fairs, family customs and seasonal festivals. For newcomers, it is especially important to distinguish a cultural celebration from a gesetzlicher Feiertag — an official public holiday, when shops, public offices and many services are closed.
Below is an overview of the most prominent holidays and traditions that commonly appear on the German calendar.
How public holidays work in Germany
Germany does not have one uniform list of days off for every situation, apart from a few nationwide dates. Most official holidays are established by the laws of the federal states. This is why 6 January, Reformationstag or Fronleichnam may be a public holiday in one state and an ordinary working day in another.
Before planning trips, an appointment at a public office or major purchases, check the calendar for your own state. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, an additional day off is generally not moved to Monday.
Christmas: Weihnachten
Christmas is one of Germany’s main family celebrations. The festive season begins long before 24 December: Weihnachtsmärkte open in towns and cities, streets are decorated with lights, and homes fill with Adventskranz, Adventskalender and Christmas decorations.
The evening of 24 December is called Heiligabend. On this day, many families gather at home, exchange gifts and attend a Christmas service. 25 and 26 December are official public holidays throughout Germany. These days are usually spent with family, over festive meals and on quiet visits to relatives.
Popular Christmas traditions include:
- an Adventskranz with four candles for the Sundays of Advent;
- a Weihnachtsmarkt with Glühwein, Lebkuchen, Stollen and craft stalls;
- gifts on Heiligabend;
- Christmas services and concerts;
- family meals on 25 and 26 December.
New Year: Silvester and Neujahr
31 December is called Silvester in Germany. Unlike Christmas, it is more often a celebration with friends, parties and city events. Traditionally, people welcome midnight with a glass of Sekt, watch fireworks and wish each other “Guten Rutsch” before the new year begins.
1 January, Neujahr, is an official public holiday throughout Germany. After a noisy night, the day is usually quiet: walks, late breakfasts, visits to friends or recovering from the party.
It is important to note that fireworks rules may be restricted by cities and states, especially near historic buildings, hospitals, zoos and areas with a high fire risk.
Three Kings’ Day: Heilige Drei Könige
Heilige Drei Könige is observed on 6 January. It is a religious holiday connected with the Gospel story of the Magi who came to the infant Jesus. It is not an official public holiday throughout Germany, only in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern and Sachsen-Anhalt.
One prominent tradition is the Sternsinger. Children and teenagers dressed as kings go from house to house, sing, collect donations and leave a blessing above the door with the letters C+M+B and the year.
Carnival: Fasching, Fastnacht, Karneval
The Carnival season symbolically begins on 11 November at 11:11, but its main events take place in winter before Lent. Its name depends on the region: Köln and Düsseldorf more often use Karneval, Bayern uses Fasching, and Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz use Fastnacht or Fasnet.
Weiberfastnacht, Rosenmontag and Carnival parades are particularly well known. People wear costumes, take part in street celebrations, watch satirical floats and shout local Carnival calls, such as “Alaaf” in Köln and “Helau” in Düsseldorf.
Carnival is not equally important across the country. In Rheinland, Mainz and some southern regions, it is a major event, while in northern and eastern states it may be much more subdued.
Easter: Ostern
Easter in Germany combines religious services, family days off and spring traditions. In 2026, Karfreitag falls on 3 April, Ostersonntag on 5 April, and Ostermontag on 6 April. Karfreitag and Ostermontag are official public holidays throughout Germany; whether Easter Sunday is a separate gesetzlicher Feiertag depends on the state.
The main symbols of Easter are coloured eggs, the Osterhase, Easter decorations and spring branches. In some regions, Osterfeuer are lit, and families organise egg hunts for children.
What people usually do at Easter:
- colour or decorate eggs;
- put up an Osterstrauß — branches with hanging decorations;
- prepare a family breakfast or lunch;
- attend church services;
- take part in regional Osterfeuer where permitted by local rules.
Walpurgis Night
Walpurgisnacht is celebrated on the night of 30 April to 1 May. The tradition is especially associated with the Harz mountains and legends of witches on the Brocken. Today it more commonly means cultural events, bonfires, costume celebrations, concerts and tourist programmes.
Walpurgis Night does not look the same everywhere. In some places, it is a notable event with processions and fire shows; in others, it is an almost unnoticed date before the May public holiday.
Labour Day: Tag der Arbeit
1 May is an official public holiday throughout Germany. Labour Day is associated with trade unions, political demonstrations and public rallies, but for many families it is also a day for walks, outings into nature and meeting friends.
Some regions retain May traditions such as the Maibaum, dancing, village celebrations and local fairs. As it is a public holiday, shops are usually closed and public transport timetables may differ from a normal working day.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest takes place in Munich on the Theresienwiese and, despite its name, begins in September. In 2026, the official Oktoberfest is scheduled from 19 September to 4 October.
It is not only about beer tents. The festival includes rides, family days, music programmes, food stalls and traditional parades. An important part of the atmosphere is Tracht: Dirndl and Lederhose, although wearing them is not compulsory.
For a trip to Oktoberfest, it is best to check in advance:
- dates and opening hours on the official website;
- entry rules and bag restrictions;
- reservations in the tents;
- transport to the Theresienwiese;
- current-season prices if they matter to your budget.
Other important dates
The German calendar also contains other holidays worth knowing about for everyday life and planning:
| Holiday | When | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Christi Himmelfahrt | 40th day after Easter | official public holiday throughout Germany |
| Pfingstmontag | Monday after Pentecost | official public holiday throughout Germany |
| Fronleichnam | movable date | public holiday in some states, including Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland |
| Tag der Deutschen Einheit | 3 October | official public holiday throughout Germany |
| Reformationstag | 31 October | public holiday in several northern and eastern states |
| Allerheiligen | 1 November | public holiday in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland |
Practical tips for newcomers
- Check public holidays specifically for your federal state.
- Buy groceries in advance before long weekends: supermarkets are often closed on Feiertag.
- Bear in mind that public offices, banks and schools may operate on special schedules.
- Check the city website for fairs and festivals: dates, opening hours and safety rules change.
- Do not plan urgent administrative matters for the days around Christmas, Easter, 1 May and 3 October.
