Christian feast day
Good Friday
Good Friday (Karfreitag), the Friday before Easter, is a nationwide public holiday in Germany and a "silent day" with restrictions on public entertainment (dance bans vary by state).
Where does it apply?
Statutory holiday in all 16 federal states.In the coming years
202518. AprFriday 20263. AprFriday 202726. MarFriday 202814. AprFriday 202930. MarFriday
What's being celebrated?
Good Friday (Karfreitag), the Friday before Easter, is a nationwide public holiday in Germany and a "silent day" with restrictions on public entertainment (dance bans vary by state).
Karfreitag is two days before Easter Sunday. Since Easter is movable, the date shifts between March 20 and April 23.
Most states ban public dance and entertainment events on Karfreitag. Bavaria and Hesse enforce this strictly; Berlin's rules are looser.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is Karfreitag a "silent day"?
- The status protects its religious character; the specifics are state law.
Related holidays
- EpiphanyEpiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) on January 6 is a public holiday only in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt. Other states observe i…Learn more →
- Easter SundayEaster Sunday (Ostersonntag) is explicitly listed as a public holiday only in Brandenburg. Elsewhere it is, of course, a Sunday anyway.Learn more →
- Easter MondayEaster Monday (Ostermontag) is a nationwide public holiday in Germany — schools, agencies and most shops are closed.Learn more →