At Easter in Germany, there are several public holidays and non-working days. In 2026, the Easter weekend includes Good Friday (Karfreitag), Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag), and Easter Monday (Ostermontag). During this period, most shops, banks, and public institutions are closed, and the Easter holidays form a long holiday weekend.
| Holiday | Date in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Karfreitag | April 3 |
| Ostersonntag | April 5 |
| Ostermontag | April 6 |
If you need the exact date of Easter by year, see the separate article: When Easter Is in Germany.
Which Days Are Days Off at Easter in Germany in 2026
The Easter holidays in Germany in 2026 fall at the beginning of April. For most residents, this is one of the longest holiday weekends in spring, when several days in a row are connected with Easter celebrations and family gatherings.
- Karfreitag — Good Friday, April 3, 2026
- Ostersonntag — Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026
- Ostermontag — Easter Monday, April 6, 2026
These are the days that make up the Easter holiday period in Germany. For people in the country, this is a time for church services, family lunches, trips to relatives, and a short spring break.
Karfreitag — Good Friday
Karfreitag is one of the most important days of the Easter period in Germany. For Christians, it is a day of remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, so it passes in a calmer and more restrained atmosphere than the other holiday days.
In Germany, Good Friday is an official public holiday and a day off. On this day, shops, banks, and most public institutions are closed. In many federal states, there are additional restrictions on noisy events and entertainment.
A special feature of Karfreitag in Germany is Tanzverbot, or the ban on dancing. In some federal states, parties, loud concerts, and certain large entertainment events are not held on this day. That is why Good Friday is considered the quietest day of the Easter weekend.
Ostersonntag — Easter Sunday
Ostersonntag is the main day of Easter in Germany. It is on Easter Sunday that Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, and for many families this day is connected not only with religious meaning, but also with home traditions.
On this day, families gather for a festive breakfast or lunch, children search for Easter eggs and sweets, and services and spring events take place in towns and villages. Easter Sunday in Germany is seen as a calm family holiday, when many people spend time at home or visit loved ones.
Most shops are closed on Ostersonntag, since the day falls on a Sunday and is also part of the Easter holiday period. That is why shopping is usually planned in advance — most often for the Saturday before Easter.
Ostermontag — Easter Monday
Ostermontag is an official day off in Germany that completes the Easter weekend. For many residents of the country, Easter Monday becomes the most convenient day for trips, walks, and family visits.
After a quiet Sunday, many people use Ostermontag for short trips, time in nature, and meetings with relatives. Thanks to the long holiday weekend, this day often becomes part of a mini vacation, especially if a few extra vacation days are taken before or after Easter.
As on other official public holidays, most shops and institutions do not work on Ostermontag. That is why the whole Easter period in Germany is worth planning in advance, especially when it comes to shopping, travel, or visits to public services.
Are Shops Open During the Easter Weekend
One of the most common practical questions before Easter in Germany is whether shops are open on the holiday days. In most cases, on the Easter Feiertage supermarkets, shopping centers, banks, and public institutions are closed. That is why shopping is better planned in advance.
Special attention should be paid to Karsamstag — the Saturday before Easter. This day is not an official public holiday, so shops are usually open. That is why many people in Germany do their main Easter shopping on Saturday. To learn more about supermarket opening hours, exceptions, and where you can buy groceries on public holidays, read the separate article: Are Shops Open on Easter in Germany.
| Day | Shops |
|---|---|
| Karfreitag | Closed |
| Karsamstag | Open |
| Ostersonntag | Closed |
| Ostermontag | Closed |
In practice, this means that the Easter weekend in Germany can be quite inconvenient for spontaneous shopping. If you live in Germany or are planning a trip at Easter, it is better to buy groceries, medicine, and everything you need before the holiday days begin.
How Long the Easter Weekend Lasts in Germany
The Easter weekend in Germany is usually seen as a long spring holiday break. It begins with Good Friday (Karfreitag) and continues until Easter Monday (Ostermontag). Because of this, many people get several days in a row without work.
For many people in Germany, this is one of the most convenient periods for a short rest, trips to relatives, and mini-travel. Some take additional vacation days before or after Easter to extend the break to almost a week.
That is why the Easter holidays are considered one of the most noticeable holiday periods in spring. During this time, travel increases, hotels are booked more actively, and family gatherings are planned more often.
Quick Summary of the Easter Weekend in Germany
Easter in Germany is not only an important religious holiday, but also a long weekend that many people spend with family, at home, or on trips. The main Easter days are connected with church services, family traditions, and a calm spring holiday atmosphere.
If you know in advance which days are public holidays and when shops are closed, the Easter weekend in Germany will be easier to plan. Read more about traditions, symbols, and celebrations in the main article: Easter in Germany.
FAQ
In 2026, the main Easter days off in Germany are Karfreitag (April 3), Ostersonntag (April 5), and Ostermontag (April 6). This is the period that forms the long Easter weekend.
On Karfreitag, Ostersonntag, and Ostermontag, most shops in Germany are closed. Karsamstag — the Saturday before Easter — usually remains open, so that is when most people do their main shopping.
Karfreitag is Good Friday, one of the main days of the Easter period in Germany. It is an official day off connected with Christian tradition, and in many federal states there are restrictions on noisy entertainment and public events on this day.
Yes, Ostermontag, or Easter Monday, is an official day off in Germany. For many people, it is part of the long holiday weekend used for trips, walks, and family visits.
The Easter weekend in Germany is usually seen as a long holiday break from Karfreitag to Ostermontag. That is why many people get several days in a row for rest, family meetings, and short trips.
The best time to shop is Karsamstag — the Saturday before Easter. This day is usually not an official public holiday, so shops are open, while on the main Easter Feiertage most stores are closed.
