National days and public holidays are event date blunders. People, in general, aren't inclined to go to a corporate event on such dates unless it's a concert or an entertaining outdoor event. Many corporate events will fail if scheduled on public holidays. Event planners must choose a date that works for their speakers and attendees but always consult public holiday lists when organizing international corporate events and conferences. Making sure to avoid public holidays in Germany is one of the success factors for event organizers. With almost 3 million events per year, the German event market is more than well-developed.
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List of holidays in Germany (2023)
Public holidays in Germany vary by the state where you work
Types of holidays in Germany
Despite what many Germans say that religion is unimportant in their lives, most of the public holidays in Germany are based around religious festivals. Therefore, there are two types of holidays in Germany; public and religious.
German public holidays
In Germany, nine public holidays are celebrated nationwide: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
German religious holidays
The most important religious holidays in Germany include Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas. During these holidays, religious people attend churches and spend time with their families.
List of holidays in Germany (2023)
Cultural holidays
As a country with rich cultural history, Germany reflects its heritage also on different public holidays that may vary from region to region. Holidays such as Oktoberfest and Fasching celebrate culture, music, food, or the exorcism of winter.
Informal holidays
When organizing corporate events or conferences in Germany, keep in mind the existence of many informal holidays, such as:
Karneval • Feb 16 – Feb 22, 2023
Maifest (Mayfest) • May 1st, 2023
Muttertag (Mother’s Day) • May 14, 2023
Vatertag (same as Ascension Day) • May 18, 2023
Oktoberfest • Sep 16 – Oct 3, 2023
Martinstag (St. Martin's Day) • Nov 11, 2023
Public holidays in Germany vary by the state where you work
Keeping track of public holidays in Germany can be confusing and take you by surprise. It's hard to make a general conclusion, but most public holidays mean businesses are closed like Sundays. Employees get a paid day off, but more importantly, holidays are celebrated by the state where you work and not where you live. So make sure to update your calendar regularly.