Heilige Drei Könige 2027 Countdown in Germany

In 2027, Heilige Drei Könige falls on Wednesday, 6 January. The traditional date and the observed date are the same, so there is no separate “observed” Monday or Friday to create a long weekend. The countdown above shows exactly how many days, hours, and minutes remain until Epiphany begins, which helps with planning school, work, or travel around early January.

Heilige Drei Könige is treated as a public holiday only in certain German states, which affects how much the date changes everyday routines. In Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt, 6 January 2027 is generally a day off for many workers and students, while in most other states it is a normal Wednesday. Knowing this distinction is important if you live near a state border, commute between regions, or are arranging appointments around that day.

Heilige Drei Könige, known in English as Epiphany, recalls the biblical story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Christian tradition, this marks the manifestation of Christ to the wider world, beyond the immediate setting of Bethlehem. Within Germany, the feast completes the wider Christmas season, which begins with Advent and runs through to early January.

German-speaking regions have long given Heilige Drei Könige a special weight, especially in Catholic areas of southern Germany. Over centuries, customs developed around the “three kings,” such as processions, blessings, and home visits. The local name Heilige Drei Könige literally means “Holy Three Kings,” and many churches display statues or art of the Magi at this time, while sermons and readings focus on themes of guidance, light, and new beginnings for the year ahead.

On 6 January 2027, Heilige Drei Könige is an official public holiday in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt, but not across all of Germany. In those states, many government offices, most schools, and a large number of local businesses are typically closed, giving residents a midweek pause shortly after New Year. In other federal states, Epiphany is usually treated as a regular working day, though churches may still hold special services.

Retail and services follow different patterns depending on the state. In public-holiday states, many shops remain closed for most of the day, while restaurants, cafes, and tourist-oriented businesses may operate with Sunday- or holiday-style hours, which can vary by town. Regions where Heilige Drei Könige is not a statutory holiday usually keep normal Wednesday opening times, though some family-run or church-affiliated businesses may adjust their schedules. Checking local notices or store websites helps avoid surprise closures on 6 January 2027.

Observances of Heilige Drei Könige in Germany combine church life, charity, and home traditions. Many Christians attend special Epiphany services on the morning of 6 January, particularly in Catholic parishes in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In these services, the story of the Magi is read and chalk, water, or incense may be blessed for use in homes, linking liturgy with everyday life.

A distinctive feature of Epiphany in Germany is the Sternsinger tradition, where children dressed as the three kings and a star bearer visit homes, sing carols, and collect donations for charity. They often write or place the blessing “20*C+M+B+27” above doorways, interpreted as a prayer for blessing the house in the year 2027. Families might gather for one of the last festive meals of the season, enjoy leftover Christmas biscuits, or share a special cake before decorations are gradually taken down in the days that follow.

Because Heilige Drei Könige 2027 falls on a Wednesday, it breaks up the first full working week of the year in holiday-observing states without creating an automatic long weekend. Residents in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt may use the day for family visits, attending church, or simply resting after New Year, often combining annual leave with the surrounding days if they want a longer winter break. In other states, it is wise to remember that friends or colleagues just across a state border might be off work even if you are not.

For anyone scheduling deliveries, appointments, or public administration tasks, 6 January 2027 requires a bit of forward planning. In states where Epiphany is a public holiday, many government services and some medical practices may operate on reduced hours or close, while public transport can run on a Sunday or holiday timetable. Visitors should allow extra time when travelling between states with different holiday rules and should verify opening times of museums, attractions, and shops in advance, especially in smaller towns where local customs strongly shape the day.