Feiertage und Feste
A lighter, cultural lesson after Lesson 56's grammar - knowing the major German holidays helps you understand why shops are closed, plan around Anmeldung appointments (offices close on Feiertage), and join in conversations about plans.
| Weihnachten | Christmas (Dec 25-26, a major closure period) |
| Silvester / Neujahr | New Year's Eve / New Year's Day |
| Ostern | Easter |
| der Tag der Deutschen Einheit | German Unity Day (Oct 3, national holiday) |
| der Geburtstag | birthday - the one "holiday" that's personal, not national |
Note: many Feiertage vary by German state (Bundesland) - a day off in Bavaria might not be one in Berlin. Worth checking your specific state's calendar rather than assuming.
Frohe Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas!)
Frohes neues Jahr! (Happy New Year!)
Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!)
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! (Happy birthday! - literally "all the best for the birthday")
Notice the pattern: frohe/frohes + [event] for most holidays, following adjective-ending rules from Lesson 22.
Die Ämter sind am Feiertag geschlossen. (Offices are closed on the holiday.)
Genuinely useful for planning: German public offices, and often shops, close entirely on Feiertage - worth checking before scheduling an Anmeldung or bank visit around one.
1. What's the German word for Christmas?
2. "Happy birthday!" - Alles Gute zum ______!
3. What date is German Unity Day?
4. Do all German Feiertage apply nationwide?
5. "Happy New Year!" - Frohes neues ______!
Cross-checked against the official Goethe-Zertifikat A1 Wortliste.
Want to know which Feiertage apply in your specific German state? Ask your teaching agent to look it up.