Things to do on public holidays
Creative ideas and tips for holidays: from Easter to Christmas
Public holidays are the perfect opportunity to escape from the daily grind, recharge, and enjoy quality time with family or friends. However, many people often wonder how to make the most of these days. With shops typically closed, restaurants often fully booked, and popular attractions quickly becoming overcrowded, it’s essential to get creative and make good use of your day off. Whether you're looking for a cosy day at home, being active in nature or tackling small DIY projects, there are plenty of ideas that can make your holiday special, regardless of opening hours or crowds.
Public holidays: make the most of your free time
Public holidays provide a much-needed break from everyday life and are often linked to specific customs and traditions. While some holidays, like Christmas and Easter, are deeply rooted in tradition, others focus on togetherness or serve as special days of remembrance.
To help you plan your holiday activities more easily, you can find an overview of some holidays and special days here:
Public Holidays | Date/Period |
|---|---|
New Year | 1st January |
Epiphany | 6th January |
Valentine’s Day | 14th February |
Easter | First Sunday after the first full moon in spring |
Easter Monday | Monday after Easter Sunday |
Labour Day | 1st May (In the UK, this holiday is celebrated on the first Monday after the 1st of May.) |
Halloween | 31st October |
All Saints’ Day | 1st November |
Christmas Day | 25th December |
Boxing Day | 26th December |
Some special days, like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day, are not recognised as public holidays. However, they still provide a wonderful opportunity to bring joy to the people you care about. Similarly, popular celebrations such as Halloween and Carnival are not official holidays in many European countries, yet they often serve as occasions for extravagant parties. Regardless of their official status, every holiday presents a chance to celebrate in a unique way and enjoy the moment consciously. Below, you will find creative ideas for some of the most significant holidays:
Celebrate New Year's Eve and New Year: Here's how you can bring the year to a festive close
New Year's Eve marks the end of one year and, of course, New Year's Day marks the beginning of a new chapter. Some people celebrate the arrival of the new year with large parties, while others prefer to mark the occasion in smaller gatherings or take the time to reflect on the past year and set New Year's resolutions. Here are some ideas to make the transition to the new year truly memorable:
Organise a themed New Year's Eve party (e.g., 1920s, hippie, bad taste, black and white).
Invite your closest friends over for a cosy fondue or raclette dinner party.
Create little lucky charms for guests to take home (e.g., small marzipan pigs, homemade fortune cookies, pots of lucky clover).
Attend a fireworks display organised by the city.
Host a game or film night to pass the time until the new year.
Take a night hike to welcome the new year under the starry sky.
Escape the New Year's bustle with a wellness weekend.
Record your plans and goals for the new year on a vision board.
For more ideas on New Year's Eve games, tips for organising the perfect party, and outfit suggestions, check out our guide:
Celebrate Valentine's Day: Take time for each other
Valentine's Day is all about love, making it a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your partner and make the day special. Whether you choose a romantic dinner, an outing, or a creative surprise, you can personalise the day to make it meaningful. Here are some ideas:
Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner at home or at a fancy restaurant.
Have a winter picnic under the stars, with hot drinks and cosy blankets.
Treat yourselves to a spa day at home or at a spa hotel.
Take a spontaneous day trip to another city and explore the city centre together.
Try something new, such as a pottery or sushi-making class.
If you're looking for more unique ideas for couple activities, check out our Valentine's Day guide. You'll also find gift suggestions for him and her, as well as tips for the perfect date outfit.
Celebrate Carnival: The most colourful time of the year
Carnival, Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday – regardless of what you call it, this festival is all about celebrating life with colourful costumes and lively festivities. Some cities in Europe, such as Cologne, Basel or Venice, attract hundreds of thousands of people each year for their parades and parties. However, if you prefer a quieter celebration, there are plenty of ways to enjoy carnival at home. Here are some ideas:
Create DIY carnival costumes using old clothes or make your own accessories.
Host a costume contest for the most creative or funniest costume among your family and friends.
Organize a themed party to add a festive touch.
Get your guests in the party mood with vibrant, homemade carnival decorations and a playlist of upbeat party songs.
Make colourful carnival masks with your children for a fun and creative activity.
Celebrate Easter: Enjoy the arrival of spring with your loved ones
Easter is not only the most important festival in the Christian faith, but it also marks the beginning of spring. The colourful customs and festive meals bring families together. In addition to the classic egg hunt and Easter crafts, there are many creative ways to spend the long weekend:
Create an Easter wreath or colourful spring decorations.
Dye Easter eggs with natural dyes or paint them by hand.
Host an Easter brunch for your loved ones with homemade delicacies, such as Easter lamb or Easter bread.
Attend an Easter bonfire with family or friends.
Organize an Easter egg hunt for your children.
Go on a short hiking trip or bike ride, followed by a picnic.
We have put together a guide with more creative ideas for activities and gifts during the Easter season. It includes tips for making your own spring decorations and fun arts and crafts projects to do with children.
Picnic as a relaxed holiday activity
During holidays, restaurants are often fully booked, and tourist attractions can quickly become overcrowded. Instead, why not enjoy a relaxing picnic in nature? Whether at a park, by a lake, or right in your own garden, a picnic with delicious snacks and a cosy blanket can be a delightful experience.
Here are some tips for a successful picnic and suggestions for dressing appropriately for any weather:
Celebrate Mother’s Day: Thank your mum
Mothers accomplish so much each day, making it essential to show our appreciation for them! Whether through a small surprise, a special trip, or a relaxing day of pampering, here are some delightful ideas for Mother's Day:
Serve a cosy breakfast in bed.
Organise a wellness day to help reduce everyday stress.
Plan a surprise outing to the countryside.
Host a film night featuring nostalgic classics.
Get creative together, such as visiting a ceramics café.
For even more creative ideas, DIY gifts, and special activities, check out our Mother's Day guide.
Celebrate Father’s Day: Spending time with the family
Father's Day is traditionally a time for families to create memories. While some people celebrate with a long hike or a bike ride, others prefer a cosy barbecue or a relaxing day at home. Here are some ideas to make the day special:
Organise a barbecue featuring Dad's favourite dishes.
Go on a long bike ride, followed by a picnic or a stop at a local inn.
Plan a hiking trip and try geocaching along the way.
Engage in an outdoor activity as a family, such as visiting a climbing garden or going on a canoe tour.
Host a game night featuring retro board games.
Whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure or a more relaxed day, these ideas offer plenty of inspiration for an unforgettable Father's Day.
Celebrate Children’s Day: Celebrating the little ones in a big way
On this special day, children are the centre of attention! Whether it's through little surprises, playing games, or embarking on an exciting adventure, Children's Day is the perfect opportunity to make their eyes light up. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate—often, simple activities like arts and crafts or a picnic bring the greatest joy. Here are some fun ideas to celebrate:
Organise a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt in the garden or indoors.
Host a children’s disco with upbeat music, colourful lights, and fun dance moves.
Build an impressive pillow castle together.
Take your child to an adventure playground or a hands-on museum.
For even more gift ideas, craft suggestions, and creative activities, check out our Children's Day guide.
Celebrate Halloween: Scary fun for all
Creepy costumes, spooky decorations, and plenty of sweets make Halloween the perfect opportunity for creative and thrilling activities. Whether you're planning your own Halloween party or not, here are some ideas for an unforgettable evening of fun and fright:
Organise a creepy costume party or create your unique costumes.
Host a horror film marathon with friends.
Visit a terrifying escape room or haunted maze.
Go on a 'trick-or-treat' tour through the neighbourhood with your children.
For more tips on planning a Halloween party, last-minute costume ideas for both adults and children, as well as spooky and beautiful craft projects, check out our complete guide:
Celebrate Christmas: Spend some relaxing days with your family
Christmas is perhaps the most festive time of the year. The glow of lights, the scent of cookies, and the joy of spending time with family and friends make this season truly special. Whether you enjoy a traditional festive meal, engaging in Christmas arts and crafts, or taking a winter walk, there are countless ways to celebrate the Advent season and Christmas. Here are some ideas:
Create an Advent calendar for your loved ones and fill it with small gifts.
Decorate cookies or build sweet gingerbread houses.
Sing Christmas carols with your family or host a karaoke evening with friends featuring the best Christmas pop songs.
Visit a nearby Christmas market or make mulled wine and roasted almonds at home.
Go on a winter hike, try sledding, or go ice skating.
Make your own Christmas ornaments and window decorations.
Cut down your own Christmas tree (from a sustainable source) and decorate it with care.
We have put together more Christmas activities and craft ideas for you to enjoy alone or with your family in our Christmas guide. Here, you will find explanations of Christmas traditions as well as modern ideas for celebrating the holiday season.
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