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Easter in Germany 2026: Dates, Holidays, Traditions, and School Breaks

Easter in Germany 2026: Dates, Holidays, Traditions, and School Breaks

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Easter in Germany in 2026 falls in early April: Good Friday—April 3, Easter Sunday—April 5, Easter Monday—April 6. For most residents, this means a long weekend from Friday through Monday, featuring family breakfasts, Easter egg hunts, spring fairs, and restrictions on noisy entertainment on Good Friday.

Easter Dates and Holidays in 2026

Easter is a movable holiday, so the dates change every year. In everyday life, people tend to focus not on a single day, but on the entire Easter weekend.

Day Date in 2026 Status in Germany
Maundy Thursday April 2 A regular workday, but an important day in the church’s Holy Week
Good Friday April 3 Official holiday in all 16 federal states
Holy Saturday April 4 Saturday, not a separate public holiday
Ostersonntag April 5 Easter Sunday; designated as a separate public holiday in Brandenburg
Easter Monday April 6 Official holiday in all 16 federal states

In practice, this means four consecutive days off for those who don’t usually work on Saturdays and Sundays. For shift work, retail, healthcare, transportation, and the hospitality industry, the rules may vary: schedules, location, and employer policies are key factors.

To help you plan for next year: In 2027, Good Friday falls on March 26, Easter Sunday on March 28, and Easter Monday on March 29.

After Easter, the spring calendar continues with Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) and Pentecost (Pfingsten). For a general overview of dates and regional differences, see the article “” on holidays in Germany:.

What People Usually Do at Easter

German Easter combines church tradition with a family spring celebration. For believers, it is the central part of the church year, and for many non-religious families, it is an occasion to get together, decorate the house, and organize a candy hunt for the children.

Main Easter symbols:

  • Osterhase — the Easter bunny, who “brings” eggs and candy to children;
  • Ostereiersuche — an Easter egg hunt at home, in the garden, or in the park;
  • Osterstrauß — branches of willow, forsythia, or other spring plants, decorated with eggs and ribbons;
  • painted eggs and chocolate figures;
  • Hefezopf, Osterbrot, and Osterlamm are popular Easter baked goods.

Catholic and Protestant communities hold Holy Week services and Easter services. For Catholics, Osternacht—Easter Vigil—is a notable event, featuring symbols of fire, light, and the Easter candle. However, there is no single schedule for the entire country: the order of services depends on denomination, parish, and region.

On Good Friday, many families opt for a quieter day, and fish is often served as a Lenten dish. Late breakfasts, brunches, walks, and gatherings with relatives are popular over the weekend. The blessing of the Easter meal takes place in certain Catholic regions and parishes, but it is not a nationwide obligation.

In the northern and northwestern regions, you may come across Osterfeuer—public Easter bonfires. They aren’t held everywhere or every year: the format depends on the municipality, the weather, fire safety regulations, and local tradition.

Where to Go for Easter in 2026

The Easter season in cities begins before the weekend itself, so it’s best to check the websites of specific markets and venues in advance. On Good Friday, some events are canceled or operate on a special schedule.

Even if the dates have already been published, it’s a good idea to double-check opening hours before your trip. Easter markets, museums, and city events often specify separately whether they are open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

Stores, Quiet Hours, and Travel

Good Friday and Easter Monday are official holidays, so regular stores, supermarkets, and most government offices are closed. Sundays in Germany aren’t typically a day for major shopping anyway. There are exceptions at some stores in train stations, airports, and tourist spots, but you shouldn’t count on them being open like a regular supermarket.

Good Friday is considered a “quiet holiday” (stiller Feiertag) in many states. This means restrictions on noisy public entertainment, dance events, and certain other activities. The details vary by federal state. For example, in Hamburg, starting in 2024, the “Feiertagsruhe” (holiday quiet hours) on Good Friday will be from 5:00 a.m. to midnight.

If you’re traveling to another city, check three things: store hours, the fair schedule, and the specific venue’s rules for Good Friday. This is especially important for concerts, clubs, festivals, markets, and museums.

After Easter, many people plan short trips around “” on May 1 in Germany, but travel prices rise quickly in the spring due to school breaks and long weekends.

2026 Easter School Break

Easter holidays in Germany are not standardized: the dates are set by the federal states. Below is a guide to the Easter or spring break in 2026; for families with school-age children, the calendar of the specific school or the state’s Ministry of Education remains the definitive source.

State Easter Break / Spring Break 2026
Baden-Württemberg March 30 – April 11
Bavaria March 30 – April 10
Berlin March 30 – April 10
Brandenburg March 30 – April 10
Bremen March 23 – April 7
Hamburg March 2 – March 13
Hesse March 30 – April 10
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern March 30 – April 8
Lower Saxony March 23 – April 7
North Rhine-Westphalia March 30 – April 11
Rhineland-Palatinate March 30 – April 10
Saarland April 7–April 17
Saxony April 3–April 10
Saxony-Anhalt March 30 – April 4
Schleswig-Holstein March 26 – April 10
Thuringia April 7–April 17

Because the dates vary, the holiday season actually stretches out over several weeks. During this time, airfare, train tickets, and hotels become more expensive, and popular destinations fill up faster.

Important: Compulsory schooling applies even before the holidays. Leaving “a couple of days early” without the school’s permission can lead to problems. In case of uncertainty, it’s best to check with the school in advance rather than relying on advice from online forums.

FAQ

How many days off are there for Easter in Germany?

For most office workers, this means four consecutive days off: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Good Friday and Easter Monday are official federal holidays throughout the country. Holy Saturday is a regular Saturday, and Easter Sunday is a regular Sunday; it has special status as an official holiday only in Brandenburg.

Are stores open on Easter?

Regular stores are closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. They are usually open on the Saturday before Easter, so it’s best to do your main shopping in advance. Exceptions may apply at train stations, airports, and certain tourist destinations.

Do people dye eggs in Germany?

Yes. There are plenty of chocolate bunnies and eggs, but painted eggs are also a common part of the holiday. They’re used for decoration, children’s games, and the family dinner table.

Do people paint eggs in Bavaria?

Yes. Bavaria features the same familiar Easter traditions: painted eggs, the Osterstrauß, family breakfasts, baked goods, and church services for the faithful.

Do Germans visit cemeteries at Easter?

This is not a central Easter tradition in Germany. It may occur based on family or religious customs, but in general, German Easter is more closely associated with church services, family, children, walks, and spring gatherings.

When are the Easter holidays?

There is no single date. Each federal state sets its own holiday calendar, so neighboring regions may have holidays in different weeks.

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