Complete list of Germany national holidays, state holidays, and public holidays for 2026. This calendar includes all major festivals and public holidays observed across Germany. National holidays are observed throughout the country, while state holidays vary by federal state.
Important holidays like New Year's Day (Jan 1), Day of German Unity (Oct 3), Christmas (Dec 25-26) and Easter holidays (Apr 3-6) are marked. Islamic and Hebrew festival dates marked as "Tentative" depend on moon sightings and may vary by one day.
| Thursday1 January | New Year's Day |
| Tuesday6 January | Epiphany |
| Monday16 February | Shrove Monday |
| Tuesday17 February | Carnival Tuesday |
| Wednesday18 February | Carnival / Ash Wednesday |
| Sunday8 March | International Women's Day |
| Friday20 March | Eid ul Fitr Tentative |
| Thursday2 April | Maundy Thursday |
| Friday3 April | Good Friday |
| Sunday5 April | Easter Sunday |
| Monday6 April | Easter Monday |
| Friday1 May | May Day |
| Thursday14 May | Ascension Day |
| Sunday24 May | Whit Sunday |
| Monday25 May | Whit Monday |
| Wednesday27 May | Eid al-Adha Tentative |
| Thursday4 June | Corpus Christi |
| Friday26 June | Ashura Tentative |
| Saturday15 August | Assumption of Mary |
| Saturday12 September | Rosh Hashana |
| Monday21 September | Yom Kippur |
| Saturday3 October | Day of German Unity |
| Saturday31 October | Reformation Day |
| Sunday1 November | All Saints' Day |
| Wednesday18 November | Repentance Day |
| Friday25 December | Christmas Day |
| Saturday26 December | Boxing Day |
Germany Holidays 2026: Germany is one of Europe’s most organized and culturally rich countries, and its public holidays reflect a deep mix of history, religion, and regional traditions. If you are planning travel, work schedules, business operations, or simply want to know when to enjoy long weekends, understanding Germany Holidays 2026 is extremely important.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through Germany’s national and regional holidays in 2026, how they affect daily life, and how you can plan smartly around them. This post is written in a human-friendly, natural tone, perfect for WordPress SEO and readers alike.
Public holidays in Germany are more than just days off. On these dates:
For tourists, holidays can mean vibrant festivals or unexpectedly quiet cities. For employees and businesses, they affect productivity, payroll, and leave planning.
These holidays are observed across all German states (Bundesländer):
The year begins with Neujahr, a calm day when most Germans relax after New Year celebrations. Public life remains slow, and most stores are closed.
A Christian holiday marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is considered a “silent holiday” in Germany, with restrictions on public entertainment.
Easter is widely celebrated in Germany, and Easter Monday offers a perfect opportunity for family gatherings and short trips.
Known as Tag der Arbeit, this day celebrates workers’ rights. In many cities, demonstrations and cultural events take place.
This day commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. National events and ceremonies are held across the country.
Christmas is one of the most important holidays in Germany, marked by family gatherings, church services, and festive meals.
Germany has state-specific holidays, meaning not every holiday is observed nationwide.
Observed in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt.
Celebrated nationwide and often combined with Friday off to create a long weekend.
A popular holiday for travel and family outings.
Observed mainly in Catholic regions such as Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Observed in parts of Bavaria and Saarland.
Celebrated in several northern and eastern states, including Brandenburg and Saxony.
If you plan wisely, 2026 offers excellent long weekend opportunities:
Smart leave planning around these dates can give you extended breaks with minimal vacation usage.
The Germany Holidays 2026 calendar is essential knowledge whether you are a resident, employee, employer, or traveler. From nationwide celebrations like German Unity Day to regional observances such as Corpus Christi, these holidays shape life across the country.
Planning ahead using the official holiday schedule helps you avoid last-minute surprises and make the most of your time in Germany in 2026.
• Dates for Islamic holidays (Eid ul Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura) are tentative and subject to moon sighting. Actual dates may vary by one day.
• Some holidays like Epiphany, Assumption of Mary, and Corpus Christi are observed only in specific federal states.
• This list includes major national and state holidays. Some regional observances may not be listed here.