Holidays and traditions in Germany

National holidays include New Year (1 January), Labour Day (1 May), German Unity Day (3 October) and the two Christmas days (25 and 26 December).

• Religious holidays are added, such as Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, Ascension Day and Whit Monday, and they differ by state such as Corpus Christi in some Catholic states.
• Shops, banks and offices close on these days, and people in hospitals, transport and restaurants work in shifts.
• The employee receives a paid day.
• So check the calendar before planning your appointments.

The most important holiday in Germany is Christmas (Weihnachten).

• The celebration starts on the first Sunday of Advent by lighting the candles of the wreath, Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) are held in cities with warm drinks such as mulled wine and sweets, and homes are decorated with a fir tree.
• Gifts are given on the evening of 24 December, the family gathers for a special dinner, and services are held in churches.
• On 6 December is St Nicholas Day when sweets are placed in shoes.
• You are not required to celebrate, but people appreciate it if you visit the markets and accept an invitation, and you may buy a symbolic gift for neighbours and colleagues.

At Easter (Ostern) in spring eggs are coloured and hidden for children, the Easter bunny is the symbol, and family dinners are held.

• On New Year's Eve (Silvester) families and friends gather, fireworks are set off at midnight and people say Guten Rutsch, meaning a good start.
• Folk traditions include Carnival (Karneval or Fasching) in February especially in the Rhineland and Munich with costumes and parades, the Munich Oktoberfest in September and October, and the harvest festival (Erntedank) in autumn.
• Each region has its own customs.

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are not general public holidays in Germany, but you can request one day of leave according to your employer's policy, and in some states pupils are allowed a day off on the day of the festival.

• Tell your manager or the school early about the expected dates.
• Eid prayers are held in mosques and rented halls, and restaurants and bakeries that celebrate are widespread.
• Ramadan is in addition, and you can explain to colleagues why you fast, and many understand.
• Neighbours are sometimes invited to taste Eid sweets, and this is a wonderful way to get acquainted.

During long holidays such as Christmas and New Year many offices close for days, so complete your paperwork and shopping before them, and book doctor's appointments early.

• Buy your needs on the Saturday before the holiday.
• When invited to a home on a holiday bring a small gift and be punctual, and you may decline if it is something that conflicts with your belief, but say so politely and invite the other person to your own festival.
• Greeting cards (Grußkarten) are appreciated.
• Muslims need not worry about social participation in Christmas markets or in eating and conversation, since attending does not mean accepting a belief.

When is German Unity Day celebrated?