Germany has many public holidays throughout the year. Each holiday has its own unique traditions and is essential to its culture. Some holidays, like Christmas and Easter, are happy times for celebrations. Other religious holidays, like Good Friday and Ascension Day, are more solemn occasions.
These national days off allow Germans to spend time with family, take part in festive events, and think about their cultural roots. Holidays such as Labour Day and German Unity Day remember essential historical events and honor workers’ rights. These holidays remind people of their country’s journey and the things they value.
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Public Holidays In Germany In 2025
The number of days off in Germany changes from state to state, but all states celebrate nine public holidays. Below is the complete list of public holidays in Germany in 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Epiphany | Jan 06, 2025 | Monday |
| International Women’s Day | Mar 08, 2025 | Saturday |
| Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday |
| Ascension Day | May 29, 2025 | Thursday |
| Whit Monday | Jun 09, 2025 | Monday |
| Corpus Christi | Jun 19, 2025 | Thursday |
| Peace Festival | Aug 08, 2025 | Friday |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15, 2025 | Friday |
| World Children’s Day | Sep 20, 2025 | Saturday |
| German Unity Day | Oct 03, 2025 | Friday |
| Reformation Day | Oct 31, 2025 | Friday |
| All Saints’ Day | Nov 01, 2025 | Saturday |
| Repentance and Prayer Day | Nov 19, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
| Christmas Holiday | Dec 26, 2025 | Friday |
This is the complete list of the Germany public holidays in 2025. Below are the traditions, special meanings, and customs of each holiday.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is the first day of the new year on the calendar. In Germany, it is a time for celebrating, thinking about the past year, and making plans for the following year. Many Germans go to parties or get together with friends and family on New Year’s Eve.
Fireworks, sparkling wine, and traditional foods like melted cheese dishes often exist at these parties. At midnight, everyone counts down to the new year. They cheer, hug, and kiss to celebrate the start of the new year. Many people sleep late on New Year’s Day after staying up late. Then, they meet with family for a special meal or outing.
Good Friday
Good Friday is an essential holiday for Christians. It remembers the day Jesus died on the cross. In Germany, Good Friday starts the Easter weekend. It is a sad day for religious observances. Many Christians go to special church services on this day. They think about Jesus’s sacrifice and the events before his crucifixion.
For some Christians, Good Friday is a day of fasting. This means not eating certain foods. They also do not take part in some activities. While there are no big celebrations, Good Friday has deep spiritual meaning for Christian Germans.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a national holiday in Germany. It comes after Easter Sunday, marking Jesus’ resurrection. After the solemn Good Friday and the happy Easter Sunday celebrations, Easter Monday is a day for resting, getting together with family, and outdoor fun.
Many Germans use this day to take short trips or go out. They visit friends and family members. Or they just enjoy the lovely spring weather. It is a time for children to hunt for Easter eggs and take part in other festive traditions. Easter Monday is known for outdoor markets and fairs in many German towns and cities.
Labour Day
Labour Day, or May Day, is a national public holiday in Germany. It celebrates the achievements and rights of workers. It started with labor unions fighting for better working conditions and fair pay. On this day, many Germans attend rallies, marches, or public events organized by unions and worker groups.
These events often include speeches, music, and celebrations of worker unity. Labour Day is also a popular time for outdoor festivals, picnics, and gatherings with friends and family. It marks the start of Spring.
Ascension Day
In the New Testament, Ascension Day is a Christian holiday 40 days after Easter Sunday. It celebrates Jesus’s ascension to heaven. In Germany, it is a national holiday with religious observances like special church services and processions.
Many Germans use this day for family gatherings, picnics, or outdoor activities. They enjoy the Spring weather. Some regions have traditional Ascension Day celebrations. One example is raising a decorated tree trunk called the Maypole. It is a symbol of fertility and new life.
Whit Monday
Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday, is a national public holiday in Germany. It comes after Whitsunday, which celebrates when the Holy Spirit came to Jesus’s followers in the Bible. The holiday occurs on the day after Pentecost, as well as the 50th day after Easter Sunday.
Whit Monday is seen as part of the Pentecost celebrations. Many Germans use this day for family outings, picnics, or short trips. In some areas, there are traditional Whitsun festivals. People decorate trees with ribbons and eggs for the Whitsun Tree. Or they have Whitsun Plays.
German Unity Day
It is a public holiday in Germany. It celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. The reunification was completed on October 3, 1990. There are official ceremonies, speeches, and cultural events on this day.
These commemorate the historic reunification and promote the unity of the nation. Many Germans also use this day for family gatherings, picnics, or outings. This is especially true in Berlin, where festivals and exhibitions mark the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a significant Christian holiday in Germany. It celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is a time for families to get together, give gifts, and follow traditions. Traditions include decorating Christmas trees, going to church services, and having special festive meals.
Many Germans have a special dinner on Christmas Eve and open presents. Christmas Day is a quieter day spent with loved ones. Children excitedly wait for the Christkind (Christ Child) or Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas) to bring gifts and treats.