Reformation Day

Reformation Day recalls the publication of Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517. Tradition links 31 October especially closely with the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

In Protestant churches, the date is marked by services, sermons and church music. Any actual programme comes from the individual parish or cultural venue.

The historical place and today's statutory map are not the same: Wittenberg is in Saxony-Anhalt, while the public holiday applies in nine states in total.

The date recalls the Reformation associated with Martin Luther's 1517 theses. That historical reference explains the name, while statutory scope remains a matter of state law.

Congregations may mark Reformation Day with a service, sermon, lecture or church music. The current programme of the individual church should provide the start time, access details and format.

For a visit to Wittenberg or another Reformation city, distinguish the permanent historical place from a time-limited event. Museums, guided tours and concerts each publish their own hours.

31 October is also a broad cultural and events date. Halloween offers or private celebrations change neither the church meaning nor the regional statutory scope.

The practical choice is therefore simple: use the date for its historical or cultural programme where it fits, but confirm each venue rather than assuming a statewide event schedule.

31 October is a statutory public holiday in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland do not observe it as a public holiday. There, 31 October 2026 remains an ordinary Saturday.

For teams working across state borders, the actual workplace matters. A shared calendar should distinguish public-holiday locations from ordinary Saturday locations.

School autumn breaks can overlap the date differently by state. Add the school location separately when the household plan includes children or school-based care.

First establish whether the actual workplace is in one of the nine observing states. In 2026, this does not create a substitute Monday because 31 October falls on Saturday.

Place All Saints' Day on 1 November beside it without mixing the regional scopes. For school schedules and household coordination, add the school location's break calendar as a third layer.

Then use the bridge-day planner and school-break comparison; the calendar-week overview is available in the next actions. This keeps public-holiday law, school breaks and personal dates distinct.