Epiphany on 6 January is a nationwide statutory public holiday and the visible close of Christmas with Sternsinger carol singers, house blessings and holiday return travel.
Public-holiday rest, school start and Sternsinger visits follow three different information sources.
Epiphany falls on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 in 2026 and is a statutory public holiday throughout Austria. Regular work and retail generally pause; exceptions follow from the work and collective agreement. [1]
If work is lost because of the holiday, normal pay continues under the loss-of-earnings principle; permitted work on the holiday is paid in addition. [2] 6 January also closes the Christmas school holidays; return travel and school start need local confirmation.
The day off is fixed; the school calendar and transport times remain separate checks.
The statutory day of rest applies nationwide. Permitted public-holiday work and supplements depend on the work and collective agreement.
Regular retail generally remains closed. Travel, tourism and some special locations publish their own hours.
6 January sits at the end of the Christmas holidays. The published calendar decides school start and childcare.
Ski and holiday routes can be busy. Connections, weather and traffic conditions should be confirmed close to travel.
Assumption: Monday-Friday working week.
Maximize your free time around Epiphany:
The campaign combines blessing, song and fundraising; the local parish publishes its schedule.
In the church calendar, 6 January is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. [5] Children and young people visit homes as Sternsinger around the holiday; routes, visit times and fundraising purposes are organised locally. [3]
C+M+B is interpreted as Christus mansionem benedicat, “Christ bless this house”. The year frames the blessing; spelling can vary regionally. [4]
The cultural close of Christmas creates practical tasks, but no single municipal deadline.
Open the relevant calendar or tool below.