Celebrating the German Unity Day in Germany: dates, congratulations, greetings, traditions and customs

Dates for the German Unity Day celebration in Germany

The date of the German Unity Day celebration in Germany remains unchanged every year and falls on 3 October. See calendar.

The German Unity Day celebration date in Germany falls on Saturday, 3 October 2026 this year.

Below is a list of dates for celebrating the German Unity Day in Germany by year, provided that in previous and subsequent years the present practice and time of the holiday celebration is preserved:

• (Fri) 3 October 2025 - German Unity Day 2025GermanyGermany
• (Sat) 3 October 2026 - German Unity Day 2026GermanyGermany
• (Sun) 3 October 2027 - German Unity Day 2027GermanyGermany

Holiday status in the territory of Germany, brief information

Holiday name in German

Tag der Deutschen Einheit

Holiday status

The holiday is an extra non-working day throughout Germany – it’s a national holiday.

Other names of the holiday

Day of German Unity / Day of National Unity

How German Unity Day is celebrated in Germany: customs and traditions

In many countries, there are national holidays, which are usually called the Independence Day and are observed with regard to gaining independence from other countries. However, the German national holiday is celebrated not regarding independence, it rather has to do with the unification of East and West Germany, which became separate countries after World War II; the reunification took place on 3.10.1990 (see details below in the holiday origin description).

The German Unity Day is a public holiday that is a day off from work throughout Germany, on which schools, many businesses and even shops are closed.

A particularly preferred place to celebrate this holiday is the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, since, after the "fall" of the Berlin Wall, it was here that the first meeting place for the residents of East and West Germany was. At the Brandenburg Gate, as well as in 17th of June Street in Berlin, festive events and concerts are held on this day.

The capitals of the Federal Länder or federated states of Germany also deliver events on the occasion of this holiday. Horse races for the "Preis der Deutschen Einheit" prize are held on this day at the Hippodrome in Berlin. Besides, various associations and communities organize open days on the German Unity Day.

On the German Unity Day occasion, annually special unique events are planned, as well as a major place for the festivity and a motto (slogan) for that year's holiday. In 2017, such a place was the city of Mainz with the motto "Together we are Germany", while in 2018 it was Berlin with the "Only with you" motto. For the German Unity Day 20th anniversary, the Federal Ministry of Finance issued 10 euro silver commemorative coins.

The origin of the German Unity Day

After World War II, Germany was divided into West Germany (the FRG) and East Germany (the GDR). However, on November 9, 1989, the borders between these parts of Germany were reopened. On October 3, 1990, the GDR was annexed or became part of the FRG. It is this event that formed the German Unity Day basis.

Photos, pictures for the holiday

Berlin Wall 1961-1989

Brandenburg Gate is a favorite place to celebrate German Unity Day

The fall of the Berlin Wall - the unification of Germany