Easter Monday in Germany
Quick Facts
Many people in Germany annually observe Easter Monday on the day after Easter Sunday. It is a public holiday in all states.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Ostermontag | German |
| Easter Monday | English |
Easter Monday 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010Easter Monday 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011See list of observations below
Easter Monday (Ostermontag) is an annual public holiday in Germany that follows Easter Sunday, which remembers Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief. It is observed with various local customs. These include early morning candle-lit parades, walks in the countryside and egg races.
The customs on egg races vary during Easter time in Germany. ©iStockphoto.com/René Mansi
What do people do?
People in some areas, especially southern Germany, go out for a candle-lit parade (Emmausgang) early in the morning to remember the walks that Jesus made after his crucifixion and resurrection. The parades end with a church service. People who do not join the parade may travel to the countryside for a walk and to enjoy the spring surroundings later in the day. Processions or walks through fields of winter crops may be held in rural areas to mark the symbolic end of the winter and the start of the spring.
Egg races (Eierlauf) are held in some villages. The customs on egg races vary. Some are children's events where children race with eggs (or potatoes) on spoons. The children run to the finish line as quickly as possible with the egg still on the spoon. Other events are for young men to prove their readiness to marry. These eggs are rolled down hills and the men chase after them. The winner is the man who gets to the bottom of the hill first.
Public life
Easter Monday is a public holiday in all German states. Post offices, banks, stores and other businesses are closed. However, some tourist stores may be open and stores at railway stations, airports and along highways are usually open. There are some restrictions on selling alcohol, public performances and dancing. Public transport services may run as usual, a reduced service or no service depending on where one lives or wants to travel.
Background
The church celebrations of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost traditionally lasted for a whole week. Now, many modern communities celebrate these holidays as single days. The public holiday on Easter Monday served to enable working people to attend the church services.
About Easter Monday in other countries
Read more about Easter Monday.Easter Monday Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Apr 7 | 1980 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 1981 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 1982 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 4 | 1983 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 23 | 1984 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 8 | 1985 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Mar 31 | 1986 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 1987 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 4 | 1988 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Mar 27 | 1989 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 1990 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 1 | 1991 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 1992 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 1993 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 4 | 1994 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 17 | 1995 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 8 | 1996 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Mar 31 | 1997 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 13 | 1998 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 5 | 1999 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 24 | 2000 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 2001 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 1 | 2002 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 21 | 2003 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 2004 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Mar 28 | 2005 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 17 | 2006 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 9 | 2007 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Mar 24 | 2008 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 13 | 2009 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 5 | 2010 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 25 | 2011 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 9 | 2012 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 1 | 2013 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 21 | 2014 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays | |
| Mon | Apr 6 | 2015 | Easter Monday | Common Local holidays |
Related holidays
- Good Friday–Friday, April 2, 2010
- Easter Day–Sunday, April 4, 2010
Other holidays in April 2010 in Germany
- Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2010)
- Easter Day (Sunday, April 4, 2010)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
