Festivities and public holidays in Germany

The end of the year (31^st of December, Silvester) and the beginning of the New Year (1^st of January, Neujahr) are often celebrated with family or friends. At midnight people traditionally welcome in the New Year with Champagne and fireworks.

At Christmas (25^th and 26^th of December), Christians in Germany celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Non-religious or less religious people also generally spend time at Christmas with family and friends. Traditionally, on Christmas Eve (24^th of December, Heiligabend) everyone gathers around the Christmas tree and exchanges presents. Four weeks beforehand, during Advent, Christmas markets are set up in the cities and homes are decorated.

In springtime, carnival is celebrated in Düsseldorf. During carnival – Womens' Carnival Thursday (Altweiberdonnerstag), Carnation Saturday (Nelkensamstag), Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) and Violet Tuesday (Veilchendienstag), people dress up in costumes and party on the streets or in the pubs. Decorated wagons drive through the city on parade (Karnevalsumzug).

At Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is also a family feast, which is a lot of fun for children in particular. Traditionally, children hunt for Easter eggs, which have been hidden for them.

Public holidays in the German federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW):