Reformation Day

Reformation Day, observed on October 31, commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517, traditionally associated with Martin Luther’s publication of his Ninety-Five Theses in Wittenberg. Luther’s criticism of the sale of indulgences and his call for theological debate helped initiate religious, social, educational, and political changes that reshaped the German lands and Europe. The movement contributed to the development of Lutheran and Reformed churches, encouraged Bible translation and literacy, and influenced German language and culture through Luther’s writings and translation of the Bible.

The holiday developed through Protestant commemorations of Luther and the Reformation, with important anniversary celebrations held in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In modern Germany, October 31 is a permanent public holiday in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia. It was observed nationwide as a one-time public holiday in 2017 for the five-hundredth anniversary. In 2026, Reformation Day falls on Saturday, October 31. The observance remains especially significant in northern and eastern Germany, although its historical importance is recognized throughout the country and it is distinct from the popular Halloween celebrations held on the same date.

Typical Reformation Day celebrations in Germany center on Protestant worship services, sermons, Bible readings, hymns, and reflections on faith, conscience, religious freedom, and the historical legacy of Martin Luther. Churches may organize lectures, concerts, exhibitions, guided tours of historic churches, and educational programs for children and young people. Some congregations hold ecumenical services that explore both the divisions created by the Reformation and later efforts toward Christian dialogue and reconciliation.

Regional customs vary, and Reformation Day does not have one standardized national menu or greeting. Families and congregations may share coffee, cakes, seasonal baked goods, or informal meals after church, while museums and historic towns often offer programs connected with Luther, the Reformation, and local church history. Common greetings include “Einen schönen Reformationstag!” (“Have a pleasant Reformation Day!”) and, in a religious setting, “Gott segne Sie zum Reformationstag” (“God bless you on Reformation Day”). Because October 31 is also Halloween, contemporary events may appear alongside costume parties, but Halloween customs are separate from the religious and historical traditions of Reformation Day.