Second Christmas Day, often called Boxing Day in English, is a nationwide public holiday on 26 December. Treat it as part of the two-day Christmas holiday block, then confirm visits, return services and school dates locally.
The holiday applies across Germany, while the rest of the Christmas schedule remains local and personal.
Nationwide public holiday on 26 December. Second Christmas Day falls on Saturday, 26 December 2026. It follows Christmas Day on 25 December, which is also a nationwide public holiday.
The statutory holiday does not create a substitute weekday if it falls at a weekend. Record any leave, on-call work and the school break separately from the two public-holiday dates.
One plan can include the holiday block without treating every hour as interchangeable.
Many households use 26 December for another family visit, a quiet day at home or the start of return travel. Set the order and timings before travel connections and meal plans compete for the same part of the day.
For a longer winter break, compare the actual school calendar with leave between Christmas and New Year. Neither is determined solely by the public-holiday status.
Assumption: Monday-Friday working week.
Maximize your free time around Second Christmas Day:
26 December is not a routine shopping day, even when it falls on Saturday.
For employees normally scheduled to work, the cited holiday pay rule and the applicable rota govern the day. Section 9 of the Working Time Act covers the federal public-holiday work exceptions.
Trains, buses, restaurants, attractions and emergency pharmacies publish their own holiday arrangements. Check the specific return service and destination before choosing between 26 December, Sunday and the first working day after Christmas.
The two dates share the season without requiring every household to observe them alike.
26 December continues the Christmas season after Christmas Day. The two public holidays provide a common legal framework, while families may use them differently for visiting, rest, worship or travel.
For a church service or community event, use the local parish or organiser notice for its time, venue and access details.
Open the relevant calendar or tool below.