Reformation Day 2025: public holiday or working day? The federal states in focus!

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Find out everything about Reformation Day on October 31, 2025 in Rhineland-Palatinate, its meaning and celebrations.

Erfahren Sie alles über den Reformationstag am 31. Oktober 2025 in Rheinland-Pfalz, seine Bedeutung und Feierlichkeiten.
Find out everything about Reformation Day on October 31, 2025 in Rhineland-Palatinate, its meaning and celebrations.

Reformation Day 2025: public holiday or working day? The federal states in focus!

The year 2025 has a special meaning for the Protestant community in Germany because Reformation Day is celebrated on October 31st. A holiday that is of immense importance to many Protestants worldwide. How RND reports, this day is not only an occasion for festive church services, but also commemorates the historic event of 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Next year, Reformation Day falls on a Friday, which for many represents a welcome opportunity for a long weekend.

In Germany, Reformation Day is celebrated as a public holiday in nine federal states. These are: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. In the other federal states, which also include North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, October 31st remains a regular working day. Instead, residents of predominantly Catholic countries can relax on November 1st, All Saints Day - unless they live in Berlin or Hesse, where both days remain busy.

Reformation Day and its meaning

Reformation Day is not only a holiday, but also a symbol of the change that Martin Luther initiated. After his appearance at the Diet of Worm in 1521, when he refused to recant his teachings, he was excommunicated by Emperor Charles V and became the target of much persecution. Luther lived incognito for a time at Wartburg Castle, where he began his significant translation of the Bible into German, part of his reform movement that led to the emergence of the Evangelical Church, as MDR impressively describes.

Church services on Reformation Day are dedicated to Luther's theses and celebrate the profound significance of the reform movement. A well-known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” is one of the many musical highlights played on this day. In contrast to other holidays such as Christmas or Easter, this day does not stand for family celebrations, but rather for reflection on faith and the development of the church.

Reformation Day through the ages

The Reformation also left its influence on fashion, as the diversity offered is reflected in many facets today. An example of this are the women's dresses from Reformation, which can be adapted to a wide variety of occasions. Whether for parties, weddings or brunches, these timeless dresses are characterized by sustainable manufacturing processes. Materials such as TENCEL™ Lyocell, linen and viscose are produced in an environmentally friendly way and help minimize the carbon footprint. Sustainability is a central element here thereformation.com explained.

Reformation Day is not only celebrated in churches, but also recognized as part of a larger movement that advocates for environmental protection and ethical fashion. The holiday has gained significance over the centuries and remains an integral part of the cultural heritage, anchored in both the beliefs and way of life of the people.