German Public Holidays 2026 — Dates, Traditions and Bridge Days

Statutory Holidays 2026

On public holidays, work is off — shops, authorities and many services are closed. Your salary is still paid (Holiday Law).

Federal Holidays 2026

These holidays apply in all 16 federal states:

Regional Holidays 2026

These holidays apply only in certain federal states:

Abbreviations: BY=Bavaria, BW=Baden-Württemberg, BE=Berlin, BB=Brandenburg, HB=Bremen, HH=Hamburg, HE=Hesse, MV=Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, NI=Lower Saxony, NW=North Rhine-Westphalia, RP=Rhineland-Palatinate, SL=Saarland, SN=Saxony, ST=Saxony-Anhalt, SH=Schleswig-Holstein, TH=Thuringia

Bridge Days 2026 — Smart Holiday Planning

Bridge days are working days between a holiday and the weekend. With minimal vacation, you can get many free days:

Tip: Request bridge days early — they are very popular with colleagues!

What's Open on Holidays?

Closed

• Shops — supermarkets, shopping centres, DIY stores (exception: some bakeries in the morning, petrol station shops)
• Authorities — registration office, immigration office, tax office
• Banks — branches closed (ATM works)
• Schools and kindergartens
• Post office — no delivery

Open

• Restaurants and cafés — many are open (especially Christmas markets!)
• Hospitals and emergency rooms — always
• Pharmacies — emergency pharmacies
• Petrol stations — always open
• Public transport — runs (weekend/holiday schedule!)
• Cinema, museum, zoo — often open

Traditions of Major Holidays

Christmas (December 25–26)

Christmas is the most important festival in Germany:

• Christmas Eve (December 24) — the main celebration: gift-giving, Christmas tree, family dinner
• Christmas Markets — from late November, mulled wine, bratwurst, handicrafts
• Typical Food: Potato salad with sausages (Christmas Eve), roast goose (25.12.)
• Shops: Open only until 2 p.m. on 24.12., closed 25–26

Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday)

• Good Friday: Quiet day, dancing ban in many states
• Easter Sunday: Easter egg hunts for children, family meals
• Easter Monday: Free day, walks, family visits
• Typical Food: Easter lamb cake, Easter eggs, Easter roast

Carnival/Fasching (February/March)

Carnival is not a statutory holiday, but in some regions (Rhineland, southern Germany) it's celebrated on a large scale:

• Women's Carnival Day (Thursday) — women cut men's ties
• Rose Monday — big parade (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz)
• Ash Wednesday — end of carnival
• Many companies in the Rhineland give Rose Monday off

New Year's Eve (December 31)

• Not a statutory holiday (but many have the day off)
• Fireworks at midnight (firecracker sales only 28–31.12.)
• Raclette or fondue for dinner
• "Dinner for One" — short film broadcast on TV every year since 1963

Ascension Day / Father's Day

• Statutory holiday (always Thursday, 40 days after Easter)
• Father's Day: Men traditionally go on hiking trips with hand carts and beer
• Bridge day on the following Friday is very popular

Employment Law and Holidays

Wage Continuation

• On statutory holidays, you receive your normal salary — even if you don't work (§ 2 EFZG)
• If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no replacement day off (exception: some collective agreements)

Working on Holidays

• Work on holidays is generally prohibited (§ 9 ArbZG)
• Exceptions: Hospitals, gastronomy, police, fire brigade, media, transport
• Holiday Surcharge: 50–150% surcharge (depending on collective agreement)

Vacation

• Holidays are not deducted from vacation entitlement
• If a holiday falls during your vacation, that day is not counted as a vacation day

Tips for Foreigners

1. Know your state's holidays — Bavaria has the most (13), Berlin/Hamburg the fewest (10)
2. Stock up — supermarkets are crowded before holidays, plan ahead
3. Use bridge days — get many free days with minimal vacation
4. Join in traditions — Christmas markets, carnival, Easter egg hunts — it's fun and helps with integration
5. Respect quiet holidays — Good Friday has a dancing ban and special silence

As of March 2026. All information without guarantee.