The four Advent Sundays structure the weeks before Christmas. In Germany they matter for Christmas markets, family, gifts, rail, hotel prices, school dates and Sunday-opening rules.
Advent Sundays 2026 includes these dates: First Sunday of Advent: ; Second Sunday of Advent: ; Third Sunday of Advent: ; Fourth Sunday of Advent: . No additional public holiday. They are Sundays; shop openings, work and events follow German Sunday rules and local exceptions.
The value comes from the sequence, distance to Christmas and available weekends.
Many errands belong on Saturday or weekdays because Sunday opening is locally limited.
Christmas markets, city centres, rail and hotels can be much busier on Advent weekends.
Family visits, baking, children's events and downtime are easier to spread across four weeks.
Advent Sundays divide Christmas markets, family plans and preparation into four weeks. The applicable federal state decides holiday and school consequences; the rule supplies the date.
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