Public Holidays in Germany
Statutory public holidays in Germany, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Germany at a glance
Germany has nine nationwide public holidays plus additional ones set by each state, so the calendar varies by region. Unity Day on 3 October is the only federal holiday created after 1990.
Several dates move with Easter, and because states add their own holidays, Bavaria has the most days off in the country.
Germany public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Germany’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Epiphany | Jan 6Tue | 2026 |
| Franco-German Day | Jan 22Thu | 2026 |
| Remembrance Day for the Victims of National Socialism | Jan 27Tue | 2026 |
| Valentine's Day | Feb 14Sat | 2026 |
| Shrove Monday | Feb 16Mon | 2026 |
| Hizir Fast | Feb 16Mon | 2026 |
| Carnival Tuesday | Feb 17Tue | 2026 |
| Carnival / Ash Wednesday | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | 2026 |
| St. Patrick's Day | Mar 17Tue | 2026 |
| Anniversary of the March Revolution | Mar 18Wed | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 97 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Germany
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Germany.
Berlin
A capital rebuilt on its own history, with museums, memorials and a nightlife scene.
Munich
A city of beer halls, baroque churches and the Alps an hour to the south.
Hamburg
A city of brick warehouses, canals and one of the world's largest ports.
Cologne
A city dominated by its Gothic cathedral and a riverfront old town.
Frankfurt
A skyline city of banks, museums and half-timbered squares.
Dresden
A rebuilt baroque city on the Elbe with a restored Frauenkirche.
Top attractions in Germany
The places that draw most visitors to Germany.
Brandenburg Gate
A neoclassical gate at the end of Unter den Linden, symbol of the city.
Neuschwanstein Castle
A fairy-tale turreted castle on a Bavarian crag above a lake.
Cologne Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral whose twin spires dominate the Rhine front.
Black Forest
Dark hills of cuckoo clocks, lakes and long-distance trails.
Romantic Road
A route of walled towns and castles from Wurzburg to the Alps.
Rugen Cliffs
White chalk cliffs and beach resorts on the Baltic's largest island.
Festivals, food and getting around Germany
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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🎉
Franco-German Day
Falls on Jan 22
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🎉
Remembrance Day for the Victims of National Socialism
Falls on Jan 27
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🎉
Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
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🎉
Shrove Monday
Falls on Feb 16
Food & drink
Getting around
The ICE high-speed network and dense regional trains make rail the best option; local transport is integrated by region.
Travelling around Germany’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Germany tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Germany's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Germany public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Germany have?
Germany has 97 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Germany is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Germany's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Germany typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Germany?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Germany?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.