Festtag

Festtag is a term used in the German language to denote a day set aside for a feast or religious celebration. The word combines fest (festival, celebration) with Tag (day). In everyday usage, Festtag can refer to any special day of commemoration, but in church calendars it designates a specific liturgical day dedicated to a saint, a Marian or Christological feast, or another holy occasion.

The distinction between Festtag and Feiertag is subtle: Festtag emphasizes the commemorative or liturgical aspect, while Feiertag is typically used for a public holiday or day off; many Festtage may also be public holidays in some regions, but not all. In German-speaking areas, Festtage are listed in liturgical calendars and are often marked as important celebrations. Common examples include saints’ feast days and major church feasts; some Festtage coincide with widely observed holidays, such as Christmas or Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day), though the exact observance can vary by region due to secular holiday laws.

In modern usage, the term appears in calendars, religious references, and in everyday speech to mark a day of special celebration within a community. The concept of Festtage reflects the historical role of calendar-driven commemoration in religious and cultural life, where certain days carry particular significance beyond ordinary days.

See also: Feiertag; Fest; liturgical calendar.