Three Major German Public Holidays: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day

Germany observes several nationwide public holidays (gesetzliche Feiertage). Three prominent ones:

1. Karfreitag (Good Friday) — Friday before Easter. Solemn Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion. Tanzverbot (dancing ban) in all states; quiet day. Date varies (e.g., April 18, 2025).
2. Ostermontag (Easter Monday) — Day after Easter Sunday. Public holiday in all states. Family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, walks. Date varies.
3. Tag der Arbeit (Labor Day / May Day) — May 1 fixed. Celebrates workers' rights; union rallies, demonstrations, festivals. Public holiday nationwide since 1919 (Weimar), rooted in 1886 Haymarket affair.

Other national holidays: Neujahr (Jan 1), Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter), Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday), Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Oct 3), Weihnachten (Dec 25–26). States add more (e.g., Fronleichnam, Allerheiligen).