Schleswig-Holstein has 10 statutory public holidays in 2026. This page is your complete reference for every official holiday in Schleswig-Holstein (SH, capital: Kiel), including exact dates, days of the week, English and German holiday names, detailed descriptions and practical annual leave planning tips.
ℹ️ Germany’s northernmost state has 10 public holidays in 2026. Its solidly Protestant character is shown through Reformation Day (Oct 31), while Catholic observances are not part of the holiday calendar.
📌 Back to overview: All Public Holidays in Germany 2026
Table of Contents
- Public Holidays Table – Schleswig-Holstein 2026
- Holiday Descriptions
- Bridge Days & Annual Leave Tips
- FAQ – Public Holidays Schleswig-Holstein 2026
- Neighbouring States
Public Holidays Table – Schleswig-Holstein 2026
The table below lists all 10 statutory public holidays in Schleswig-Holstein for 2026, sorted chronologically, with both English and German holiday names.
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | German Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Neujahr |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Karfreitag |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Ostermontag |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Tag der Arbeit |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Christi Himmelfahrt |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday | Pfingstmontag |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Saturday | German Unity Day | Tag der Deutschen Einheit |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Saturday | Reformation Day | Reformationstag |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | 1. Weihnachtstag |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Day of Christmas | 2. 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.
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.
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.
Reformation Day – Reformationstag – Oct 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Reformation Day marks the anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517). It is a public holiday in nine predominantly Protestant states. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, so no additional weekday off is gained.
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 Schleswig-Holstein 2026
🌟 Optimal Bridge Day Strategy in Schleswig-Holstein 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 Schleswig-Holstein 2026
How many public holidays does Schleswig-Holstein have in 2026?
Schleswig-Holstein has 10 statutory public holidays in 2026 — comprising the 9 nationwide German holidays plus Schleswig-Holstein-specific additions.
When is Ascension Day 2026 in Schleswig-Holstein?
Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) 2026 falls on Thursday, May 14, 2026 and is a public holiday in Schleswig-Holstein.
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 Schleswig-Holstein, delivering a free 4-day Easter break.
Does Labour Day fall on a working day in Schleswig-Holstein 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 Schleswig-Holstein?
Yes, Reformation Day (Reformationstag, October 31, 2026 — a Saturday) is a statutory public holiday in Schleswig-Holstein. Note that since it falls on a Saturday in 2026, no additional weekday off is gained.
Is International Women’s Day a public holiday in Schleswig-Holstein?
No, International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag) is not a public holiday in Schleswig-Holstein.
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 Schleswig-Holstein.
Public Holidays in Neighbouring States
Compare Schleswig-Holstein’s 2026 holiday calendar with its neighbouring federal states:
- Hamburg – Public Holidays 2026
- Lower Saxony – Public Holidays 2026
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Public Holidays 2026
📌 Return to overview: All Public Holidays in Germany 2026
All information provided without warranty — the authoritative source is the Schleswig-Holstein Public Holidays Act (Feiertagsgesetz SH).