Calendar of days off in Germany in 2024

Germany is a country with a rich tradition, where public holidays play an important role in social life. However, the number of public holidays, their distribution and how they are celebrated vary from state to state. Each of Germany’s 16 states can independently determine additional public holidays, leading to considerable differences in the holiday calendar between regions. In this article, we will present the calendar of holidays and days off in Germany for 2024, with a special focus on national and regional holidays.

Why is the holiday calendar in Germany so diverse?

Germany, as a federal state, gives individual states the option of determining for themselves the holidays that will be public holidays. This means that in addition to nationwide holidays such as New Year’s Day and Labor Day, individual states also celebrate their own regional holidays. This differentiation can be confusing, especially for people outside Germany who are trying to understand which days are actually public holidays throughout the country and which are only in specific states.

Germany’s national public holidays in 2024

In 2024, Germany celebrates several holidays that are recognized as public holidays in all states. Here is the full list:

1. January 1, 2024 – New Year (Monday): Traditional holiday starting the new calendar year.
2. March 29, 2024 – Good Friday (Friday): A well-recognized Christian holiday celebrated throughout Germany.
3. April 1, 2024 – Easter Monday: Another public holiday associated with the celebration of Easter.
4. May 1, 2024 – Labor Day (Wednesday): An international labor holiday, also celebrated in Germany.
5. May 9, 2024 – Ascension Day (Thursday): Another religious holiday, recognized in all states.
6. May 20, 2024 – Pentecost Monday: The second day of Pentecost, celebrated nationwide.
7. October 3, 2024 – German Unity Day (Thursday): National holiday commemorating the reunification of Germany.
8. December 25, 2024 – Christmas Day (Wednesday): First day of Christmas.
9. December 26, 2024 – Second Christmas Day (Thursday): Second day of Christmas, also considered a holiday.

Holidays in each state in 2024

In addition to nationwide public holidays, each state in Germany has its own holidays, which may be additional days off only in that region.

Before discussing regional holidays, it is worth remembering that not every holiday automatically constitutes a public holiday for all employees. Although some holidays are officially recognized as days off in a given state, the decision to honor them as a day off may depend on company policy. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check your company’s work regulations to be sure whether you can count on additional days off for regional holidays.

If you’re just planning to work in Germany, it’s a good time to take a look at current job opportunities that may suit your expectations.

Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt

• Epiphany (January 6, 2024 – Saturday): A holiday celebrated to commemorate the visit of the Three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus. It is a public holiday in the three states, and some cities hold parades featuring costumed “Three Kings.”
• Corpus Christi (May 30, 2024 – Thursday): A feast of the Catholic Church commemorating the institution of the Eucharist. It is a day off in the states, and many towns and cities hold processions through city streets, which bring together numerous faithful.
• All Saints’ Day (November 1, 2024 – Friday): A holiday in which all the dead are remembered, especially those who have not been canonized. It is a time to visit cemeteries and pray for the dead.

Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

• International Women’s Day (March 8, 2024 – Friday): This is a relatively new holiday as a public holiday, which has recently gained the status of a day off in Berlin and Mecklenburg- West Pomerania. Various events are held on this day to promote women’s rights.

Brandenburg

• Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024): A holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is a public holiday only in Brandenburg, where it is celebrated with great devotion.
• Pentecost (May 19, 2024 – Sunday): Another Christian holiday that has its day off in Brandenburg. Traditionally celebrated as a day of the blossoming of nature and the end of the Easter season.
• Reformation Day (October 31, 2024 – Thursday): Commemorates Martin Luther’s speech that launched the Reformation. Celebrated in Brandenburg with numerous religious and historical events.

Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland

• Corpus Christi (May 30, 2024 – Thursday): As mentioned, this is an important Catholic holiday, with processions through city streets bringing together the faithful in the states.
• All Saints’ Day (November 1, 2024 – Friday): A day of reverie and remembrance of the dead, in which the graves of loved ones are visited and Mass is attended.

Augsburg (Bavaria)

• Augsburg Peace Festival (August 8, 2024 – Thursday): A local holiday celebrated in Augsburg that has its roots in the historical events surrounding the end of the religious wars. It is a day off only in Augsburg, where celebrations are held to commemorate peace between Catholics and Protestants.

Saarland

• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, 2024 – Thursday): An important Marian holiday, celebrated as a public holiday in the Saarland and in some regions of Bavaria (in municipalities with predominantly Catholic populations). Traditionally, processions and solemn masses are held on this day.

Thuringia

• Children’s Day (September 20, 2024 – Friday): In Thuringia, this is a public holiday dedicated to celebrating the rights and well-being of children. Numerous events and attractions are organized for the little ones on this day.
• Reformation Day (October 31, 2024 – Thursday): As in Brandenburg, this holiday is also celebrated with numerous religious and historical events.

Saxony

• Day of Penance and Prayer (November 20, 2024 – Wednesday): This is a Protestant holiday that is a public holiday in Saxony. It is a time for reflection, prayer and inner tranquility

Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein

• Reformation Day (October 31, 2024 – Thursday): As in other regions, it commemorates the Reformation started by Martin Luther. Celebrated with numerous events in northern German cities.

How do you plan your vacation to maximize your days off in 2024?

Planning vacations with public vacations in mind is an excellent strategy for extending your rest without using up multiple vacation days. The 2024 calendar offers several opportunities for you to gain extra days off by combining them with weekends or holidays.

When planning a vacation or an extended stay in Germany, it’s also worth considering the cost of living. If you’re planning to spend more time in Germany, check out this article on the cost of living in Germany to better understand how to manage your budget while traveling or working abroad.

Here’s how you can make the most of your days off:

• Take advantage of long weekends: Holidays such as Good Friday (March 29) and German Unity Day (October 3) fall on Friday and Thursday, making it possible to combine them with a weekend. Just take one day off to gain as many as four days off.
• Plan around moving holidays: Easter Monday (April 1) and Pentecost Monday (May 20) are public vacations that can also be combined with a weekend, increasing the number of rest days with minimal use of vacation time.
• Plan longer breaks: If you have the opportunity, consider scheduling an extended vacation for Christmas (December 25-26) and New Year’s (January 1). By strategically combining these days with weekends, you can get up to 10 days off using only 4-5 days of vacation.

A well-considered vacation can not only provide extended rest, but also have a positive impact on your efficiency at work and overall well-being.

Summary

Germany’s calendar of holidays and public holidays for 2024 varies and depends on the region in which you are located. Nationwide public holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, German Unity Day and Christmas. However, the number of holidays and additional days off may vary from state to state. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the local holiday calendar and know which days are legal holidays, and which may depend on your region or company. This will make it easier to plan your days off and vacations for 2024.

This variation in the holiday calendar also affects daily life and work arrangements in Germany. Those planning to travel or work in Germany should pay close attention to these dates to get a better understanding of how the country functions on holidays and which holidays are most relevant in each region.