Public holiday in Germany
New Year's Day in Germany
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
New Year's Day is a nationwide public holiday in Germany on 1 January. It marks the start of the year and is one of the quieter holiday dates in the German calendar.
About New Year's Day in Germany
In Germany, New Year's Day is observed nationwide and is a day of rest at the start of the year. It follows New Year's Eve, which is typically the more active part of the holiday period, while 1 January itself is usually reserved for low-key family time and recovery after the previous night.
History
The observance of 1 January as the start of the year follows the Gregorian calendar used in Germany today. In modern Germany, the date is a nationwide statutory public holiday.
Traditions
Many Germans mark the turn of the year on the previous evening rather than on 1 January itself. Common customs associated with the New Year period include fireworks at midnight, toasting with sparkling wine, and giving or eating lucky symbols such as marzipan pigs or tiny four-leaf clover motifs.
How New Year's Day is celebrated in Germany
On New Year’s Day itself, many people keep plans light and spend the day quietly at home, with visits to family or friends and late meals after New Year’s Eve. In some cities, people also attend New Year concerts, church services, or informal walks and outings.
Interesting facts
Germany’s New Year’s Eve has a stronger public profile than New Year’s Day, so the calendar date that marks the holiday is often quieter than the night that precedes it. The holiday is nationwide, with the same public-holiday status across all federal states.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.