Unity Day in Germany is Oct. 3 - how is it celebrated? are stores, restaurants open?

Question

I will be in Germany on Oct. 3 and want to know what to expect. I am wondering if it is like an American holiday where most businesses are closed, but retail stores hold special sales to get customers to shop and popular attractions are crowded.

Will tourist places (castles, museums, other attractions) be open or closed? How about restaurants?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Most Germans in the west don't celebrate anything since they've been financing the east for the last 17 years. The shops are closed but you should be able to get coffee and cake in the afternoon and most restaurants should be open in the evening. Touristy stuff is open too. Expect any of the border towns in neighbouring EU states like Holland, Belgium, France to be crowded.

Answer 2

Shops are usually closed, if you need to do some emergency food shopping, you need to go to the train station or a gas station. For restaurants, pubs etc you should be ok, and regulations for museums and other attractions vary, so check the specific ones you're thinking of out on the web before you go.

Also, don't expect the celebrations to be anything like July 4th. It's very much an official holiday with speeches and maybe a classical concert here and there, but if you are looking for a bbq and fireworks and stuff, don't count on it.

Answer 3

All stores, many sights and many businesses will be closed. It will be nothing like 4th of July. There are however sometimes local celebrations that basically take advantage of the fact that most people have a day off, with beergardens, special markets and carousels and maybe some small fireworks - but this will all depend on where exactly you are. It is also hard to say whether attractions will be open or closed, you'll need to check each and every place individually.

Answer 4

we dont have school.. naha nah anaahahahahhaa ... It is usually just some firewerk and beers.

Answer 5

Businesses are closed on October 3, meaning no shopping. But the tourist places, like museums will be open as well as the restaurants.