M.Sc. in Life Science Informatics

State and bank holidays and Weekends in Germany

Seeing as Germany is traditionally influenced by Christianity, there are lots of rules some of you might not be familiar with. Here in Northrhine Westfalia, the Catholic denomination is predominantly influencing holidays and every state in Germany has different holidays. Please take this into consideration, when travelling.

Sundays shops and public buildings are usually closed. Some restaurants, cafés and bakeries as well as libraries, gas stations, hospitals, train stations and police stations are open.

Rules to follow on Sundays are:

• No loud noises. Keep your music at a considerate level, handiwork and gardening have to be quiet.
• You have to plan activities ahead of time, check opening hours!
• Celebrations and parties are allowed, as long as you remember to turn down the music especially after 10pm.
• Sundays are nowadays mostly seen as days of relaxation and fun. Plan visits to fairs, amusement parks and festivals, go outside and enjoy yourselves!

State and bank holidays follow the same rules as Sundays, plus you get an extra day of rest. Universities are all closed for public holidays. Lots of restaurants, cafés and museums might have closed. Just check their websites.

Silent holidays are the most restrictive holidays so playing music and dancing is not allowed (you can do that at home, as long as it is not too loud), as well as any sports events or other events that are loud and cheerful. Bars and clubs will be closed, due to the restrictions on dancing and music. Silent holidays are considered days of mourning and parties can result in fines, if the police gets called.

Christian Germans are not very religious (most don't go to church more than twice a year), but everyone loves holidays here.

Here is a list of upcoming holidays:

October 3rd: Day of German Unity

November 1st: All Saints' Day, this is a "silent holiday",

December 24th : Christmas Eve, stores will be open until around noon

December 25th: Christmas Day

December 26th: Second Day of Christmas

December 31st: New Years' Eve, stores will be open until around noon

January 1st: New Years' Day

The University will be closed from December 23rd up until January7th, due to the Christmas break. The building will be closed, no classes will be held. The Exam Office will be closed from December 20th to January 5th.

Carnival (regional holiday): Often stores will be closed or close earlier, the streets will be filled with parties and parades, people in costumes and loud music.

February 27th: Women's Carnival Day, University will close around noon, parties and celebrations start at 11:11.

March 3rd: Rose Monday, University is closed, the biggest parades will be held in Bonn and Cologne. 

Parades and parties will be held until Tuesday evening. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of lent (fasting for Christians for 40 days).

Easter:

April 18th: Good Friday, University, shops and schools are all closed, silent holiday.

April 21st: Easter Monday, All shops, Universities and schools are closed

May 1st: Labour Day, the night before is marked with celebrations and bonfires celebrating the dance into May or Walpurgis' night

May 29th: Ascension Day and Father's Day

June 9th: Whit Monday, the second day of Pentecost. The University will be closed for the week.

June 19th: Corpus Christi

Please contact the Exam Office if you have any questions regarding holidays, living in Germany and local traditions.

Cornelia Heeg
examoffice-lsi(at)bit.uni-bonn.de