Calendar & Information of all German Holidays 2022

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by Trip.com

German Holidays 2022 Overview

Germany is a country rich in history, which is why many travel overseas to visit. Like most other nations, Germany has several holidays you should be aware of, so you act respectfully when needed.

While there are 18 federal holidays in total, there are 9 observed in all 16 federal states. They are New Year's Day on January 1, Good Friday on April 15, Easter Monday on April 18, Labor Day on May 1, Ascension Day on May 26, Whit Monday on June 6, Day of German Unity on October 3, Christmas Day on December 25, and 2nd Day of Christmas on December 26.

The other ones are Epiphany on January 6, International Women's Day on March 8, Easter Sunday on April 17, Whit Sunday on June 5, Corpus Christi on June 16, Assumption Day on August 15, Reformation Day on October 31, All Saints' Day on November 1, and Repentance Day on November 16. Below, we'll go into detail about exactly which states observe these holidays.

Holiday Name Date Day
New Year's Day January 1, 2022 Saturday
Good Friday April 15, 2022 Friday
Easter Monday April 18, 2022 Monday
Labor Day May 1, 2022 Sunday
Ascension Day May 26, 2022 Thursday
Whit Monday June 6, 2022 Monday
Day of German Unity October 3, 2022 Monday
Christmas Day December 25, 2022 Sunday
2nd Day of Christmas December 26, 2022 Monday

German Holidays 2022 — New Year's Day

Date: January 1, 2022

Day of the Week: Saturday

This national holiday is the celebration of a new calendar year.

The night before is New Year's Eve (or Silvester, after Saint Silvester), where festivities start already. Revelers will have champagne (Sekt) and huge meals, including midnight soup that's made with lentils, beans, and sausage, carp (or herring) with cabbage, and marzipan shaped like pigs and ladybugs. These foods are believed to bring prosperity and good luck in the new year.

When the clock strikes midnight, Germans set off fireworks and firecrackers. Some even play traditional drums, crack whips, and bang kitchen pots to scare away evil spirits.

German Holidays 2022 — Good Friday

Date: April 15, 2022

Day of the Week: Friday

Good Friday is a national holiday that involves the Easter bunny (Osterhase) and eggs, although, in some areas, they have an Easter fox or stork.

On Good Friday, children enjoy painting and decorating boiled eggs, which are then placed in a basket. The adults will decorate their homes with yellow daffodils and clay bunnies.

You'll also often see the Easter tree (Osterbaum), which is made of pussy willows and flowering bushes. It's decorated in a similar fashion to Christmas trees, as Germans will place wreaths, garlands, and hand-painted wooden eggs on their Easter trees.

German Holidays 2022 — Easter Monday

Date: April 18, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

Easter Monday is celebrated all across Germany. Businesses close up shop, which gives everyone adequate time off to spend with loved ones.

Germans have candle lighting parades and children participate in egg races.

German Holidays 2022 — Labor Day

Date: May 1, 2022

Day of the Week: Sunday

Labor Day is a national holiday that celebrates the nation's workers. This holiday has been around ever since 1933.

Businesses are closed on Labor Day, and you'll often see public speeches, marches, and rallies on this day.

German Holidays 2022 — Ascension Day

Date: May 26, 2022

Day of the Week: Thursday

This national holiday comes 40 days after Easter and is always on a Thursday.

Germans celebrate Ascension Day by putting out the Easter candle. You'll also often see festive street marches. The International Charlemagne Prize is also given to someone who's spent a good deal of time giving back to their community.

What's interesting to note is that Germans also observe Men's Day on Ascension Day. Historically, fathers received gifts after the day's parades.

German Holidays 2022 — Whit Monday

Date: June 6, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

Whit Monday is basically the same holiday as Whit Sunday, but instead of being a federal holiday in just 1 state, Whit Monday is observed all over Germany.

German Holidays 2022 — Assumption Day

Date: August 15, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

Assumption Day is observed in the states of Bavaria and Saarland, which are largely Catholic.

You'll see Germans attend special masses on this day, as well as processions and festivals.

German Holidays 2022 — Day of German Unity

Date: October 3, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

On the Day of German Unity, citizens gather to commemorate the Treaty of Unification, which was signed on October 3, 1990.

Most of the festivities happen around the Brandenburg Gate. You'll see theater performances, karaoke, dice games, and other festival activities, which are sure to cause quite a buzz.

German Holidays 2022 — Reformation Day

Date: October 31, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

The following states observe Reformation Day: Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

Reformation Day honors Martin Luther's memory and his Reformation movement. Most people get a day off school and work, and some attend special church services.

German Holidays 2022 — Christmas Day

Date: December 25, 2022

Day of the Week: Sunday

The Christmas season begins on Advent, so Advent calendars are very popular in Germany. These are calendars with 24 doors you can open up on each day, which have small presents in them (usually chocolate).

It's common for parents to lock up a room with presents and a decorated tree. The family can't enter until Christmas Eve, when a parent rings a bell, and the kids are allowed in.

Here, the family will read the Christmas story, sing carols, and open presents.

German Holidays 2022 — 2nd Day of Christmas

Date: December 26, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

The Germans have borrowed 2nd Day of Christmas from the British. It's also called Boxing Day, or St. Stephen's Day.

People have the day off and spend time with their loved ones. They'll usually gather to enjoy some treats, play board games, and watch TV together.

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