Guide

Public holidays in Germany in 2027

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

In Germany, public holidays are mostly set by the 16 states, so they vary by where you live. Some apply everywhere — including Christmas and German Unity Day — while others depend on the state. In 2027, Easter falls on 28 March, so Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday 29 March.

Who sets Germany's holidays

Germany's Federal Agency for Civic Education explains it simply: some public holidays apply nationwide, such as Christmas and German Unity Day, while others apply only in certain states — usually depending on the main Christian denomination there, such as Assumption Day in largely Catholic Bavaria and Saarland.

Berlin's holiday law, for example, lists: New Year's Day, International Women's Day (8 March), Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, German Unity Day, and Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Sources: Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung — Feiertag; Berlin.de — Sonn- und Feiertagsrecht; Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior — Feiertage in Bayern; Government of the Netherlands — 2027 public holidays, for the 2027 Easter dates; all read 8 October 2026.

The 2027 dates in Berlin

Applying Berlin's list to the 2027 calendar:

Friday 1 January — New Year's Day
Monday 8 March — International Women's Day (Berlin)
Friday 26 March — Good Friday
Monday 29 March — Easter Monday
Saturday 1 May — Labour Day
Thursday 6 May — Ascension Day
Monday 17 May — Whit Monday
Sunday 3 October — German Unity Day
Saturday 25 December and Sunday 26 December — Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Several holidays land on weekends in 2027, including German Unity Day and both Christmas holidays.

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Bavaria, and checking your state

Bavaria's Interior Ministry lists holidays observed throughout Bavaria, including Epiphany (6 January) — Wednesday 6 January in 2027 — alongside the nationwide days. It also notes days that apply only in parts of the state: 15 August (Assumption Day) only in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population, and 8 August (the Peace Festival) only in the city of Augsburg.

Because each state sets its own list, check your state government's holiday page when you move — and enjoy the long weekends, like Easter and Whitsun, that come with German life.

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Common questions

Who decides public holidays in Germany?

Mostly the 16 states, so holidays vary by state. Some, like Christmas and German Unity Day, apply nationwide.

When is Easter 2027 in Germany?

Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, so Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March.

Is 8 March a holiday in Germany?

In Berlin, yes: International Women's Day is on Berlin's list of public holidays. It isn't a holiday in every state.

Is Epiphany a holiday in Bavaria?

Yes. Bavaria's Interior Ministry lists 6 January as a holiday throughout Bavaria.