Public holiday in Germany
Reformation Day in Germany
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia
Reformation Day is a public holiday in several German states on 31 October. It marks Martin Luther’s publication of the 95 Theses in Wittenberg, an event linked to the start of the Protestant Reformation.
About Reformation Day in Germany
In Germany, Reformation Day has regional public-holiday status in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. Its practical relevance is greatest in these states, where public life follows the holiday calendar on 31 October. In the rest of the country, the day is generally a normal working day. It also falls on the eve of All Saints’ Day, but in Germany the holiday itself is tied to the Reformation rather than to the church year as a whole.
History
Reformation Day commemorates 31 October 1517, when Martin Luther is traditionally said to have posted the 95 Theses in Wittenberg. The anniversary became an established Protestant commemoration in German-speaking lands long before it was turned into a statutory holiday in some modern German states. After reunification, the holiday’s regional scope expanded in northern and eastern Germany, and it was also made a public holiday in several states in connection with the 500th anniversary year in 2017.
Traditions
In churches and Protestant communities, the day is marked by services and sermons focused on the Reformation and on Luther’s legacy. Many congregations use the occasion for concerts, lectures or commemorative events rather than for family customs or festive food.
How Reformation Day is celebrated in Germany
In the states where it is a public holiday, Reformation Day is usually observed as a quieter day centered on church events, museum programmes, talks and local commemorations. In towns with strong Protestant traditions, churches and civic institutions may hold special services or public reflections on the Reformation’s history. In the rest of Germany, the date is often noticed mainly because of the regional holiday calendar.
Interesting facts
The date is fixed to 31 October rather than moving to the nearest weekday. It is a public holiday only in selected German states, not nationwide. The holiday is linked to the Protestant Reformation, so its observance is strongest in areas with a Lutheran heritage.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | — | Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.