Public holidays in Germany in 2025: Complete Guide for Expats

When you’re living in Germany, you’ll want to know when the public holidays are.

Not only is it important for making special plans, but also because businesses and public institutions will close or have reduced hours on these days.

For travellers and expats, holidays also require some financial planning. Whether you’re budgeting for festival attendance, purchasing gifts, or planning getaways, managing your money across borders can be challenging. Using services like These services can offer competitive exchange rates and transparent fees for currency conversion.

Jot down these holidays to make sure you don’t miss out on the fun:

• An overview of public holidays in Germany

• When are Germany’s public holidays in 2025?Local holidays in 2025Other important dates in 2025

• Local holidays in 2025

• Other important dates in 2025

• When are Germany’s public holidays in 2026?Local holidays in 2026Other important dates in 2026

• Local holidays in 2026

• Other important dates in 2026

• When were Germany’s public holidays in 2024?Local holidays in 2024Other important dates in 2024

• Local holidays in 2024

• Other important dates in 2024

• When are the school holidays in Germany?

• Practical tips for German holiday travelCultural considerationsFood and drink

• Cultural considerations

• Food and drink

• Conclusion

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An overview of public holidays in Germany

There are nine official national public holidays in Germany each year, alongside local festivities particular to certain states. This means that some states in the country have more vacation days than others.

If the odds are in your favor, you can enjoy up to 13 days off a year, one of the highest public holiday entitlements in Europe. Do note, however, that if the holiday falls on a weekend, it typically does not transfer to a weekday.

Many of the public holidays are religious and date back centuries. Some holidays, however, are more recent, such as the Day of German Unity. Taking place on 3 October every year, it commemorates the anniversary of the country’s reunification in 1990.

If you’re planning to attend these celebrations, it’s worth preparing financially, especially if you’re traveling from abroad. Using the multi-currency account to convert your currency at the mid-market exchange rate can help you avoid the inflated tourist rates often found at airport kiosks and local exchange offices during busy holiday periods.

Some national holidays also coincide with Germany’s top festivals, which are a great way to experience local culture and sample regional food.

The best German festivals: film, music, and beer

When are Germany’s public holidays in 2025?

These holidays are celebrated nationwide in Germany:

Date

Weekday

National holiday

1 January 2025

Wed

New Year’s Day

18 April 2025

Fri

Good Friday

21 April 2025

Mon

Easter Monday

1 May 2025

Thu

Labor Day / May Day

29 May 2025

Thu

Ascension Day

8 June 2025

Mon

Whit Monday

3 October 2025

Fri

Day of German Unity

25 December 2025

Thu

Christmas Day

26 December 2025

Fri

Boxing Day

The best Christmas markets in Germany

Local holidays in 2025

These holidays are only celebrated in certain German regions:

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Where celebrated

6 January 2025

Mon

Epiphany

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt

8 March 2025

Sat

International Women’s Day

Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

20 April 2025

Sun

Easter Sunday

Brandenburg

8 May 2025

Thu

End of World War II

Berlin

8 June 2025

Sun

Whit Sunday

Brandenburg

19 June 2025

Thu

Corpus Christi

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and some parts of Saxony and Thuringia

15 August 2025

Fri

Assumption of Mary

Bavaria and Saarland

20 September 2025

Sat

World Children’s Day

Thuringia

31 October 2025

Fri

Reformation Day

Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower-Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia

1 November 2025

Sat

All Saints’ Day

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland

19 November 2025

Wed

Repentance Day

Saxony

multi-currency account

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Other important dates in 2025

Alongside national and local holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in Germany:

Date(s)

Weekday(s)

Occasion

3–5 March 2025

Mon–Wed

Carnival

17 April 2025

Thu

Maundy Thursday

8 May 2025

Wed

End of World War II (in some regions)

11 May 2025

Sun

Mother’s Day

29 May 2025

Thu

Father’s Day

20 September 2025

Sat

Start of Oktoberfest

11 November 2025

Tue

St Martin’s Day, when children typically make lanterns and walk in processions

17 November 2025

Mon

National Day of Mourning

31 December 2025

Wed

New Year’s Eve

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Germany

When are Germany’s public holidays in 2026?

Date

Weekday

National holiday

1 January 2026

Thu

New Year’s Day

3 April 2026

Fri

Good Friday

6 April 2026

Mon

Easter Monday

1 May 2026

Fri

Labor Day / May Day

14 May 2026

Thu

Ascension Day

25 May 2026

Mon

Whit Monday

3 October 2026

Sat

Day of German Unity

25 December 2026

Fri

Christmas Day

26 December 2026

Sat

Boxing Day

Local holidays in 2026

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Where celebrated

6 January 2026

Tue

Epiphany

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt

8 March 2026

Sun

International Women’s Day

Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

5 April 2026

Sun

Easter Sunday

Brandenburg

24 May 2026

Sun

Whit Sunday

Brandenburg

4 June 2026

Thu

Corpus Christi

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and some parts of Saxony and Thuringia

15 August 2026

Sat

Assumption of Mary

Bavaria and Saarland

20 September 2026

Sun

World Children’s Day

Thuringia

31 October 2026

Sat

Reformation Day

Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower-Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia

1 November 2026

Sun

All Saints’ Day

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland

18 November 2026

Wed

Repentance Day

Saxony

Other important dates in 2026

Alongside national and local holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in Germany:

Date(s)

Weekday(s)

Occasion

9–11 February 2026

Mon–Wed

Carnival

2 April 2026

Thu

Maundy Thursday

8 May 2026

Thu

End of World War II (in some regions)

10 May 2026

Sun

Mother’s Day

14 May 2026

Thu

Father’s Day

19 September 2026

Sat

Start of Oktoberfest

11 November 2026

Wed

St Martin’s Day, when children typically make lanterns and walk in processions

17 November 2026

Tue

National Day of Mourning

31 December 2026

Thu

New Year’s Eve

When were Germany’s public holidays in 2024?

Date

Weekday

National holiday

1 January 2026

Mon

New Year’s Day

29 March 2026

Fri

Good Friday

1 April 2026

Mon

Easter Monday

1 May 2026

Wed

Labor Day / May Day

9 May 2026

Thu

Ascension Day

20 May 2026

Mon

Whit Monday

3 October 2026

Thu

Day of German Unity

25 December 2026

Wed

Christmas Day

26 December 2026

Thu

Boxing Day

Local holidays in 2024

These holidays are only celebrated in certain German regions:

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Where celebrated

6 January 2024

Sat

Epiphany

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt

8 March 2024

Fri

International Women’s Day

Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

31 March 2024

Sun

Easter Sunday

Brandenburg

19 May 2024

Sun

Whit Sunday

Brandenburg

30 May 2024

Thu

Corpus Christi

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and some parts of Saxony and Thuringia

15 August 2024

Thu

Assumption of Mary

Bavaria and Saarland

20 September 2024

Fri

World Children’s Day

Thuringia

31 October 2024

Thu

Reformation Day

Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower-Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia

1 November 2024

Fri

All Saints’ Day

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland

20 November 2024

Wed

Repentance Day

Saxony

Other important dates in 2024

Date(s)

Weekday(s)

Occasion

12–14 February 2024

Mon–Wed

Carnival

28 March 2024

Thu

Maundy Thursday

8 May 2024

Wed

End of World War II (in some regions)

9 May 2024

Thu

Father’s Day

12 May 2024

Sun

Mother’s Day

21 September 2024

Sat

Start of Oktoberfest

9 November 2024

Sat

35-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

11 November 2024

Mon

St Martin’s Day, when children typically make lanterns and walk in processions

17 November 2024

Sun

National Day of Mourning

31 December 2024

Tue

New Year’s Eve

When are the school holidays in Germany?

Many public holidays coincide with school vacations in German schools. Wondering when your children will be free? Read more about school holidays in Germany.

Practical tips for German holiday travel

Cultural considerations

Germans value punctuality highly, so arrive on time for reservations, tours, and appointments, and appreciate directness in communication rather than excessive small talk. Business hours are generally respected, with most shops closing by 8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on Saturdays, and nearly everything closes on Sundays except restaurants and tourist attractions. Learning basic German phrases like “Guten Tag,” “Bitte,” and “Danke” shows respect and is appreciated, though English is widely spoken, especially among younger Germans and in tourist areas. Add your business to our directory.

Food and drink

German cuisine extends far beyond stereotypes, offering regional specialties that reflect the country’s diverse geography and cultural influences, paired with one of the world’s great beer traditions. Don’t miss traditional experiences like visiting beer gardens with their communal tables and relaxed atmosphere, exploring local markets for fresh regional produce, and trying seasonal specialties like asparagus in spring or game in autumn. Make reservations at popular restaurants, especially for weekend dinners, and embrace the German approach to dining that values hearty portions, quality ingredients, and social meals that can extend for hours with good conversation and multiple beer tastings.

Conclusion

German holidays offer a rich opportunity to experience the country’s culture and traditions. By planning ahead, knowing both national and local holiday dates, understanding transportation, and preparing financially, you can fully immerse yourself in these special celebrations.

For international visitors and expats, smart money management is a key part of holiday planning. Setting up a multi-currency account before traveling to Germany can give you access to competitive currency exchange rates, and a debit card to spend like a local. This financial preparation allows you to focus on what really matters, enjoying Germany’s vibrant holiday traditions and creating lasting memories.