Halloween
-
Tuesday october 31, 2023
cards/flowers : Halloween originated from a Celtic festival called Samhain, which was celebrated 2,000 years ago and revolved around lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off spirits and fairies yes, Halloween began because people truly believed that it was a time when dead spirits would rise again, and walk among them. Back then, costumes acted as protection, not just an excuse to show off your Pinterest skills.
Not much is known about the ancient holiday since there are no written records, though per Encyclopedia Britannica, it was a time fraught with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes.
School holidays
-
Monday january 1, 2024
School holidays : The summer holidays in Germany last six and a half weeks.
Holiday dates vary from state to state, as well as for different school years, but the earliest starts in mid-June (end of June) and ends at the end of September
calendars gazetted by the respective Departments of Education
all study programs are aligned with the requirements of the Bologna Process
PISA ranking (average 493): 509 (among the 15 best WW)
Schooling is mandatory till age 16
Average class size: more than 24
school day duration: 5:30 hours
number of instructional hours per year in lower secondary education: 752
Usually no school on Saturday
Please scroll to related Länder to view local school calendars
We carry confirmed dates mostly till 2026 or 2027; Further dates are projected dates based on previous years
Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you
New Year's Day
-
Monday january 1, 2024
Secular holiday : The world's most widely celebrated holiday, New Years was set on January 1 by Julius Caesar because that was the date the Roman consuls took over their duties. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday
Epiphany
-
Saturday january 6, 2024
cards/flowers :
Shrove Tuesday
-
Tuesday february 13, 2024
Culture : Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the shriving that English Christians were expected to do prior to receiving absolution immediately before Lent begins. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of shrovetide , somewhat analogous to the Carnival tradition that developed separately in countries of Latin Europe. [Wikipedia]
Ash Wednesday
-
Wednesday february 14, 2024
Culture : The first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter.
According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. [Wikipedia]
Valentine's Day
-
Wednesday february 14, 2024
cards/flowers : Introduced by Pope Gelasus in 498, perhaps in response to a local Roman tradition of lovers writing their names on an urn in February
Palm Sunday
-
Sunday march 24, 2024
Culture : Not a paid holiday
Maundy Thursday
-
Thursday march 28, 2024
cards/flowers :
Good Friday
-
Friday march 29, 2024
Catholic or protestant : The First Council of Nicaea (a gathering of bishops in the early days of Christianity) wanted to find a day to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
This commemoration had to be linked to Jewish holiday traditions, since the last supper of Christ was believed to be a Jewish Passover meal. But the Jewish calendar is based on lunar and solar cycles, so the Easter celebration had to follow the same calendar.
Easter
-
Sunday march 31, 2024
Catholic or protestant : Not a paid holiday
Daylight Saving Time
-
Sunday march 31, 2024
Special Events : At 1:00 am local times