Public Holidays in Bavaria 2026 – All 13 Official Holidays

Bavaria has 13 statutory public holidays in 2026. This page is your complete reference for every official holiday in Bavaria (BY, capital: Munich), including exact dates, days of the week, English and German holiday names, detailed descriptions and practical annual leave planning tips.

ℹ️ Bavaria leads all 16 German states with 13 public holidays in 2026. Assumption Day (Aug 15) applies only in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population.

📌 Back to overview: All Public Holidays in Germany 2026

Table of Contents

  1. Public Holidays Table – Bavaria 2026
  2. Holiday Descriptions
  3. Bridge Days & Annual Leave Tips
  4. FAQ – Public Holidays Bavaria 2026
  5. Neighbouring States

Public Holidays Table – Bavaria 2026

The table below lists all 13 statutory public holidays in Bavaria for 2026, sorted chronologically, with both English and German holiday names.

DateDayPublic HolidayGerman Name
Jan 1, 2026ThursdayNew Year’s DayNeujahr
Jan 6, 2026TuesdayEpiphanyHeilige Drei Könige
Apr 3, 2026FridayGood FridayKarfreitag
Apr 6, 2026MondayEaster MondayOstermontag
May 1, 2026FridayLabour DayTag der Arbeit
May 14, 2026ThursdayAscension DayChristi Himmelfahrt
May 25, 2026MondayWhit MondayPfingstmontag
Jun 4, 2026ThursdayCorpus ChristiFronleichnam
Aug 15, 2026SaturdayAssumption Day*Mariä Himmelfahrt*
Oct 3, 2026SaturdayGerman Unity DayTag der Deutschen Einheit
Nov 1, 2026SundayAll Saints’ DayAllerheiligen
Dec 25, 2026FridayChristmas Day1. Weihnachtstag
Dec 26, 2026SaturdaySecond Day of Christmas2. Weihnachtstag

Holiday Descriptions

New Year’s Day – Neujahr – Jan 1, 2026 (Thursday)

New Year’s Day on January 1 is a nationwide public holiday throughout Germany. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday — taking one day of leave on Friday, January 2 creates a 4-day New Year break.

Epiphany – Heilige Drei Könige – Jan 6, 2026 (Tuesday)

Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) on January 6 marks the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, offering a mid-week break in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt. The tradition of star singing (Sternsingen) and blessing homes is widely practised.

Good Friday – Karfreitag – Apr 3, 2026 (Friday)

Good Friday (Karfreitag) commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and is a nationwide public holiday. Strict rules prohibit public dances and loud events on this day. In 2026 it falls on April 3 (Friday).

Easter Monday – Ostermontag – Apr 6, 2026 (Monday)

Easter Monday (Ostermontag) is a nationwide public holiday that closes the Easter weekend. Combined with Good Friday, it creates an automatic 4-day break with no annual leave needed — from Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6.

Labour Day – Tag der Arbeit – May 1, 2026 (Friday)

International Workers’ Day on May 1 is a nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Friday — creating an automatic long weekend from May 1–3, making it one of the best free long weekends of the year.

Ascension Day – Christi Himmelfahrt – May 14, 2026 (Thursday)

Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) always falls on a Thursday, 39 days after Easter Sunday. In 2026 it falls on May 14. Taking one day of leave on Friday, May 15 creates a 4-day long weekend (Thu–Sun). In Germany it is also informally known as Father’s Day (Vatertag).

Whit Monday – Pfingstmontag – May 25, 2026 (Monday)

Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) falls 50 days after Easter Sunday. In 2026 it is May 25 (Monday), closing a Whitsun long weekend from Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25.

Corpus Christi – Fronleichnam – Jun 4, 2026 (Thursday)

Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) falls on the Thursday 60 days after Easter Sunday. In 2026 it is June 4 (Thursday) — making Friday, June 5 an ideal bridge-day for a 4-day weekend in eligible states. Famous for colourful street processions in Catholic communities.

Assumption Day* – Mariä Himmelfahrt* – Aug 15, 2026 (Saturday)

Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) on August 15 in Bavaria applies only in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday.

German Unity Day – Tag der Deutschen Einheit – Oct 3, 2026 (Saturday)

Germany’s National Day commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany on October 3, 1990. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday — no substitute weekday is granted under German law.

All Saints’ Day – Allerheiligen – Nov 1, 2026 (Sunday)

All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) on November 1 is a Catholic day of remembrance for all saints and the deceased. It is observed in five Catholic states. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday — no substitute is provided.

Christmas Day – 1. Weihnachtstag – Dec 25, 2026 (Friday)

Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtstag) on December 25 celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Friday, creating an extended Christmas break from December 25 through Sunday, December 27.

Second Day of Christmas – 2. Weihnachtstag – Dec 26, 2026 (Saturday)

Germany’s Second Day of Christmas (2. Weihnachtstag) on December 26 continues the Christmas celebrations and is a nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, meaning the festive period runs from Friday, December 25 through the weekend.

Bridge Days & Annual Leave Tips for Bavaria 2026

🌟 Optimal Bridge Day Strategy in Bavaria 2026

New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan 1): Taking one day of leave on Friday, January 2 creates a 4-day New Year break — an excellent way to start the year.

Labour Day (Friday, May 1): Falls on a Friday — free 3-day long weekend (May 1–3) at zero leave cost.

Ascension Day (Thursday, May 14): One day of leave on Friday, May 15 = 4-day long weekend (Thu–Sun).

Christmas (Friday, Dec 25): Automatic 3-day festive break (Dec 25–27). Book leave from December 22 for a full 10-day Christmas and New Year break.

FAQ – Public Holidays in Bavaria 2026

How many public holidays does Bavaria have in 2026?

Bavaria has 13 statutory public holidays in 2026 — comprising the 9 nationwide German holidays plus Bavaria-specific additions.

When is Ascension Day 2026 in Bavaria?

Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) 2026 falls on Thursday, May 14, 2026 and is a public holiday in Bavaria.

When is Easter 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 is April 5. Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6) are both statutory public holidays in Bavaria, delivering a free 4-day Easter break.

Does Labour Day fall on a working day in Bavaria in 2026?

Yes — Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) falls on Friday, May 1, 2026, automatically creating a free 3-day long weekend without any annual leave needed.

Is Reformation Day a public holiday in Bavaria?

No, Reformation Day (Reformationstag) is not a public holiday in Bavaria.

Is International Women’s Day a public holiday in Bavaria?

No, International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag) is not a public holiday in Bavaria.

When is Christmas in 2026?

Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtstag, December 25, 2026) falls on a Friday, and Second Day of Christmas (2. Weihnachtstag, December 26, 2026) on a Saturday — both are public holidays in Bavaria.

Public Holidays in Neighbouring States

Compare Bavaria’s 2026 holiday calendar with its neighbouring federal states:

📌 Return to overview: All Public Holidays in Germany 2026

All information provided without warranty — the authoritative source is the Bavaria Public Holidays Act (Feiertagsgesetz BY).