Overview

• Official 2025 commemorations are in Saarland with a public Deutschlandfest, and there is no federal ceremony in Berlin this year.
• Berlin’s offerings include an open day in the Ministergärten, free short tours at the Deutsches Historisches Museum from 11:00 to 15:30, and guided visits at the Forum Willy Brandt.
• Family-friendly options range from the Gauklerfest at Zitadelle Spandau to the 35th Renntag der Deutschen Einheit at Hoppegarten with food trucks and children’s activities.
• Schools and most shops will be closed on Friday, though some stores at major train stations and airports may open and bakeries can trade for limited hours depending on state rules.
• The date of 3 October was chosen for practical election-timetable reasons rather than 9 November, which also coincides with the 1938 Reichspogromnacht.