Information about public holidays in Berlin - meaning and background
Statutory public holidays structure the calendar year. They create days off work, mark religious and historical events and give many people in Berlin time for rest, family and shared activities.
A statutory public holiday is a day on which work generally rests. Schools are closed, many shops may not open and special labour-law rules apply to employees.
Berlin is a special case because it is both Germany's capital and a federal state. Its calendar combines nationwide public holidays with Berlin-specific rules.
Special public holidays in Berlin
Many public holidays apply throughout Germany, but Berlin also sets its own accents. This makes the Berlin public holiday calendar different from calendars in other federal states.
Typical nationwide public holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, German Unity Day, Christmas Day and the Second Day of Christmas.
Berlin-specific holidays include International Women's Day on 8 March. In individual years, an additional commemorative day can also be defined as a one-off public holiday.
Planning holidays and everyday life around public holidays
Knowing Berlin's public holidays makes it easier to plan bridge days, school holidays and free weekends.
Many Berlin residents combine statutory public holidays in Berlin with annual leave to create longer breaks. Families should compare public holidays with the Berlin school holidays.