Germany Public Holidays 2026: National and Regional Dates
Germany has nine nationwide public holidays in 2026, but the number you actually get off depends on which federal state (Bundesland) you’re in — in Bavaria it’s 13, in Berlin it’s 10, and in Hamburg it’s 9. The regional holidays are the reason Germany’s calendar is more generous than it first appears.
2026 is a poor year for long weekends in Germany. German Unity Day falls on a Saturday, both Christmas days land on the weekend, and Ascension Day — normally the best bridge-day opportunity of the year — falls on a Thursday with no Friday holiday to pair with.
Nationwide public holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | Neujahr (New Year’s Day) |
| 3 April | Friday | Karfreitag (Good Friday) |
| 6 April | Monday | Ostermontag (Easter Monday) |
| 1 May | Friday | Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day) |
| 14 May | Thursday | Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day) |
| 25 May | Monday | Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) |
| 3 October | Saturday | Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day) |
| 25 December | Friday | 1. Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day) |
| 26 December | Saturday | 2. Weihnachtstag (Second Christmas Day) |
Regional holidays by state
| Holiday | 2026 date | Observed in |
|---|---|---|
| Heilige Drei Könige (Epiphany) | Tue 6 January | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt |
| Internationaler Frauentag (Women’s Day) | Sun 8 March | Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern |
| Ostersonntag (Easter Sunday) | Sun 5 April | Brandenburg |
| Pfingstsonntag (Whit Sunday) | Sun 24 May | Brandenburg |
| Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi) | Thu 4 June | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, plus parts of Saxony & Thuringia |
| Mariä Himmelfahrt (Assumption) | Sat 15 August | Saarland, plus most of Bavaria |
| Weltkindertag (Children’s Day) | Thu 24 September | Thuringia |
| Reformationstag (Reformation Day) | Sat 31 October | 9 northern and eastern states |
| Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day) | Sun 1 November | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland |
| Buß- und Bettag (Day of Repentance) | Wed 18 November | Saxony |
Long weekends in 2026
- 1–6 April — Easter (Fri–Mon), four days
- 1–3 May — Labour Day falls on a Friday, giving a three-day weekend
- 14–17 May — Ascension Day (Thu–Sun), four days with the Friday bridged
- 23–25 May — Whit Monday (Sat–Mon)
- 4–7 June — Corpus Christi in the Catholic states (Thu–Sun)
- 3–5 October — German Unity Day falls on a Saturday, so this is only a two-day break
- 25–27 December — Christmas (Fri–Sun); Boxing Day is a Saturday, so no substitute
The standout is Ascension Day on Thursday 14 May. Taking the Friday off turns it into a four-day break — and because it’s a Thursday holiday, it’s the single most popular bridge day in the German calendar. Book travel for that weekend early.
Planning around German holidays
Germany’s holiday structure has two practical consequences for travel. First, the Catholic south (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) has noticeably more days off than the Protestant north, which shifts regional travel demand. Second, German Unity Day on 3 October is normally a major domestic travel weekend, but in 2026 the Saturday date means it largely passes without a long break.
Christmas is a genuine shutdown in Germany: 24 December is a half day, and 25 and 26 December are full holidays with almost everything closed. If you’re visiting over Christmas, the Christmas travel guide covers which cities work best and what’s open.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Germany have in 2026?
Germany has nine nationwide public holidays in 2026. The total per state ranges from 9 (Hamburg) to 13 (Bavaria), depending on which regional holidays apply.
Is 3 October 2026 a public holiday?
Yes — German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) is a nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, so it doesn’t create a long weekend.
What is the best bridge day in Germany in 2026?
Ascension Day, Thursday 14 May 2026. Taking Friday 15 May off creates a four-day weekend, and it’s the most popular bridge day of the German year.
Are shops open on Sundays and public holidays in Germany?
No. German law closes most shops on Sundays and public holidays (Ladenschlussgesetz). Restaurants, petrol stations, bakeries and shops in major train stations are the main exceptions.
Our sources
Dates verified against the German federal and state public holiday regulations, cross-checked with the official Feiertage calendar for each Bundesland. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026.