How Public Holidays Work in Germany
Germany has 9 nationwide public holidays. There are no substitute days: a holiday that falls on a weekend is simply lost.
States add up to 5 more, e.g. Epiphany (BW, BY, ST), Corpus Christi (mostly Catholic states), Reformation Day (northern and eastern states), and All Saints' Day (BW, BY, NW, RP, SL). Bavaria has the most.
All Germany Holidays in 2036
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jan 1 | New Year's DayNeujahr | First day of the year, following Silvester fireworks. |
| Fri, Apr 11 | Good FridayKarfreitag | A "silent day" — dancing and loud public events are restricted in most states. |
| Mon, Apr 14 | Easter MondayOstermontag | The Monday after Easter Sunday. |
| Thu, May 1 | Labour DayTag der Arbeit | International Workers' Day, with union rallies and May festivals. |
| Thu, May 22 | Ascension DayChristi Himmelfahrt | Always a Thursday, 39 days after Easter; also celebrated as Father's Day (Vatertag). |
| Mon, Jun 2 | Whit MondayPfingstmontag | The Monday after Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. |
| Fri, Oct 3 | German Unity DayTag der Deutschen Einheit | Marks reunification on 3 October 1990; the only holiday set by federal law. |
| Thu, Dec 25 | Christmas Day1. Weihnachtstag | Gifts are traditionally exchanged the evening before, on Heiligabend. |
| Fri, Dec 26 | Second Day of Christmas2. Weihnachtstag | St Stephen's Day, usually spent visiting family. |
Click a date to see it on the monthly calendar.
Long Weekends in 2036
- New Year's Day bridge day: take Mon, Dec 31 off Dec 29 – Jan 1 · 4 days
- Good Friday & Easter Monday Apr 11 – Apr 14 · 4 days
- Labour Day bridge day: take Fri, May 2 off May 1 – May 4 · 4 days
- Ascension Day bridge day: take Fri, May 23 off May 22 – May 25 · 4 days
- Whit Monday May 31 – Jun 2 · 3 days
- German Unity Day Oct 3 – Oct 5 · 3 days
- Christmas Day & Second Day of Christmas Dec 25 – Dec 28 · 4 days
With 3 vacation days on the bridge days above you get 12 days off in total.
Plan 2036 Around These Holidays
Add your vacation and bridge days to a calendar, then export it as a printable PDF. For the full year at a glance see the 2036 calendar.
Open Calendar Builder