Bavaria holiday status varies by municipality for Assumption Day

In Bavaria, the public holiday for Assumption Day on August 15, 2026, applies only to specific municipalities. According to state law, the holiday is observed in communities where the Catholic population outnumbers the Protestant population.

Data from the State Office for Statistics indicates that 1,708 Bavarian municipalities will observe the holiday, while 348 will not. Because the holiday falls on a Saturday in 2026, retailers in non-holiday municipalities may benefit from increased shopping activity, as Saturday is a primary sales day.

The determination of a holiday status is based on the ratio of residents within the Christian population according to the most recent census. Recent census data has led to shifts in status, with six municipalities gaining holiday status and two losing it. In areas without the holiday, such as parts of Upper Franconia or Middle Franconia, shops remain open for regular business.