The year in Berlin is almost over and 2026 is approaching. That means it’s high time to plan your next vacation and secure your bridge days! Although International Women’s Day, German Unity Day and Christmas Day fall awkwardly on a weekend, the public holidays during the week offer perfect opportunities to more than double your free time. Unfortunately, as usual, there are fewer public holidays in Berlin than in other federal states such as Bavaria. But this makes it all the more worthwhile to plan a short break to one of the most beautiful destinations in the surrounding area.
January
The start of the new year in Berlin means almost four days off. New Year’s Day (January 1) falls on a Thursday. With just one vacation day (Friday, January 2), you have four days off in a row.
April
After the first week of January, there’s a bit of a holiday drought. We have to wait until Easter to accumulate bridge days again. Every year, Easter offers the longest continuous period of time off in the calendar. Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6) are public holidays in Germany, which means you can take a week off with four vacation days – before or after Easter. Or take even more and go away for two weeks with eight vacation days (Sat, March 28 to Sun, April 12).
May
As is so often the case, May is the best month for bridge days. Three public holidays (May 1, Ascension Day and Whitsun) await us. This is really worthwhile for an early summer vacation because the weather is (usually) already good. Labor Day falls on a Friday, which gives us a long weekend (Fri, May 1 to Sun, May 3).
Ascension Day (May 14) falls on a Thursday, and Whit Monday (May 25) is a Monday. If you combine this well, you can take a whole 17 days off. With nine vacation days (Mon, May 11 to Wed, May 13 and Fri, May 15 to Fri, May 22), you can enjoy a vacation that is almost twice as long.
December
At the end of the year, things get even more pleasant. The Christmas holidays and New Year allow for a long time off at the end and beginning of the year. With four vacation days (Mon., Dec. 28 to Thurs., Dec. 31), you have ten days off in a row (Fri., Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, 2027). A great way to end the year in Berlin.