We have about nine public holidays in Germany that are common across all federal states but most of the states do have regional holidays which are observed in respective states. Including the regional holidays in Germany States, the number of public holidays in Germany for most of the states will be between ten to thirteen with Bavaria topping the charts with 13 holidays from all the states in Germany in terms of public holidays.
Germany is a country rich in culture and tradition, and its holidays reflect this. From religious celebrations to National holidays, there is always something to look forward to throughout the year. Some of the most well-known public holidays in Germany include New Year’s Day, Easter, International Workers’ Day, Ascension Day, German Unity Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.
These holidays are celebrated with various traditions such as religious ceremonies, parades, and family gatherings. Some holidays also have a historical significance, like the German Unity Day which marks the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.
In addition to these public holidays in Germany, there are also several regional holidays that are recognized in certain states of Germany. These holidays may vary depending on the state and the region.
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List of Public Holidays in Germany 2023
The following is the list of National Public holidays in Germany for the year 2023 as per the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat), please do note that this list also consolidates the list of regional holidays applicable for particular states / regions in Germany. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, these holidays are an excellent opportunity to experience the country’s unique customs and traditions.
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
| 1 January 2023 | Sunday | New Year’s Day | National Holiday |
| 6 January 2023 | Friday | Epiphany | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria & Saxony-Anhalt |
| 8 March 2023 | Wednesday | International Women’s Day | Berlin |
| 7 April 2023 | Friday | Good Friday | National Holiday |
| 9 April 2023 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Brandenburg |
| 10 April 2023 | Monday | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| 1 May 2023 | Monday | Labor Day | National Holiday |
| 18 May 2023 | Thursday | Ascension Day | National Holiday |
| 28 May 2023 | Sunday | Whit Sunday | Brandenburg |
| 29 May 2023 | Monday | Whit Monday | National Holiday |
| 8 June 2023 | Thursday | Corpus Christi | Baden-Württemberg , Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate , Saarland, Saxony & Thuringia |
| 15 August 2023 | Tuesday | Assumption Day | Bavaria, Saarland |
| 3 October 2023 | Tuesday | Day of German Unity | National Holiday |
| 31 October 2023 | Tuesday | Reformation Day | Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt & Thuringia |
| 1 November 2023 | Wednesday | All Saints’ Day | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate & Saarland |
| 22 November 2023 | Wednesday | Repentance Day | Saxony |
| 25 December 2023 | Monday | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| 26 December 2023 | Tuesday | 2nd Day of Christmas | National Holidays |
How To Plan Your Vacation in Germany?
Holidays are something we would look for to celebrate, relax and rejuvenate ourselves with our loved ones and oneself. Usually one of the first things we do in the new year is to look for the list of holidays to check, and plan to leverage our vacations by taking advantage of the long weekend opportunities we have in offer. This helps in better managing our work life balance while we take time ourselves to charge back!
If you have kids, you should be referring to School Holidays in Germany which differs by each Federal State to avoid peak utilization and reduce burden on the German travel infrastructure.
Taking advantage of holidays can be a great way to plan your vacation in Germany. Many people use public holidays as an opportunity to take a long weekend or a week-long trip, and there are many destinations in Germany that are perfect for a holiday getaway.
Use Your Leaves To Extend Holidays
A job in Germany gives you about 20 to 30 vacation days depending on the company and now its time for you leverage the long weekends during the festive eves like Easter or Christmas where you get 4 days of break combined with your weekend holidays or simply supercharge your leaves for a day to two to make them extra long.
When planning a holiday, it’s important to consider any public holidays that may be occurring during your planned travel dates. Public holidays can affect the availability of transportation and accommodations, as well as the opening hours of businesses and tourist attractions. Additionally, certain destinations may become more crowded during popular holiday periods. To ensure that your holiday goes smoothly, it’s a good idea to research any public holidays in Germany that may be occurring during your trip and plan accordingly.
On a flip side planning your vacation outside the public holidays window can also help you avoid the peak tourism season and you will get to enjoy lower prices on flights and accommodations.
What are Germany’s National Holidays?
The following are the National Public Holidays in Germany, the dates will vary depending the weekday they are observed and please refer back to this article for updated information:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Easter
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- German Unity Day
- Christmas
- Boxing Day (2nd Day of Christmas)
How Many Public Holidays are there in Germany?
There are 9 Nation wide Public Holidays in Germany, however for most of the states number of holidays range between 10 to 13 days including the regional holidays with the Federal State Bavaria having the most number of holidays.
We from HowdyGermany wish you Happy Holidays, hope you will plan your vacation days in 2023 accordingly!
