Germany : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

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cards/flowers : Jewish New Year NOT a public holiday

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Special Events : At 1:00 a.m. local times

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.

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cards/flowers : The most popular of all saints' days, especially with children. children prepare for the arrival of St. Martin by making paper lanterns. St. Martin arrives to towns at dusk on a big horse named Shimmel. All the children gather with their lit lanterns and parade through town behind him singing songs in his honor. [Yahoo]

Culture : General celebration in memorial of the deceased for the Lutherian Church

Culture : Commemorates all those who died in armed conflicts or as the victims of violent oppression.

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Culture :

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Secular holiday :

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

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
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

Dates mostly confirmed till July 2024; 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

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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

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]

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]