Holidays in Hesse

Good Friday is after the Friday before Eastern. On Good Friday one thinks of the death of Jesus Christ. It is part of the so called Good Week, which begins after Palm Sunday, including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and ends with Good Saturday.

Easter Monday ist the monday after Easter Sunday. As second holiday it is actually not an Easternday. The Christian background of this holiday is the encounter of two disciples with the risen Christ.

In old traditions, the 1st May is an holiday as well (Dance into May, Walpurgis Night, May trees, etc.). Since 1890 it is rededicated to “Achievements of the international labor movement”.

The Ascencion of Christ is 39 days after Easter Monday, for this it always on thursday. The christian background is the ascension of Jesus Christ to his father God in heaven after his resurrection (Eastern). Secular oriented citizens see this day as “Father´s Day”, proper men´s tours included.

Whit Monday is 49 days after Easter Sunday. Here, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost onto the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ is celebrated.

Corpus Christi, the „Solemnity of body and blood of Christ“, is celebrated on the 60th day after Easter Sunday with masses and processions.
In Sachsen it is only in certain regions of the counties Bautzen and Westlausitz a legal holiday. In Thüringen is the Department of the Interior able to set Corpus Christi as a legal holiday by changing the ordinance.

Since 1990 the 3rd of October is Germany´s National Holiday, thinking of the Reunion. In Western Germany this holiday was celebrated on the 17th of June, rembering the national uprising in the DDR that was abolished on this day of October in 1953.

Main celebration day of Christmas (in Germany)