Public holiday in Germany
World Children's Day in Germany
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Thuringia
World Children’s Day is a public holiday in Thuringia, where it is observed on 20 September. In the rest of Germany, it is noted as an international awareness day rather than a day off.
About World Children's Day in Germany
In Germany, World Children’s Day has a practical meaning only in Thuringia, where it is a public holiday. Elsewhere in the country it is mainly a date for attention to children’s rights and wellbeing, without general holiday status. The regional scope matters for planning: the day affects normal weekday routines in Thuringia, while in other states it is observed more as a public theme than as a legal holiday.
History
The holiday became a public holiday in Thuringia in 2019, making that state the first in Germany to give World Children’s Day official holiday status. The date used there aligns with the international observance on 20 September.
Traditions
There are no Germany-wide customs specific to the day. In Thuringia, the date is commonly associated with attention to children’s rights, family time and activities aimed at children, rather than fixed national rituals.
How World Children's Day is celebrated in Germany
In Thuringia, official observance means many workplaces and institutions follow a holiday schedule. Public attention in Germany tends to focus on children’s issues, with schools, civic groups and media sometimes marking the date through themed events or coverage.
Interesting facts
Germany’s World Children’s Day is one of the few public holidays in the country that is limited to a single state. Because the holiday falls on 20 September, it does not move when that date falls on a weekend.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 Sep 2026 | — | Thuringia |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.