All Saints’ Day in Luxembourg
All Saints’ Day, called Allerhellegen in Luxembourgish, is a legal public holiday held on 1 November. Families commonly gather at cemeteries to remember the dead, lay flowers and candles, and take part in religious ceremonies and grave blessings.[1][2]
Meaning and legal status
All Saints’ Day is the Christian feast of all saints, including those who were never canonised or whose holiness is known only to God. In Luxembourg, the day is also associated with remembering deceased relatives, although All Souls’ Day, or Allerséilen, falls on 2 November.[1]
The government identifies 1 November as a legal public holiday fixed by the law of 25 April 2019. Guichet.lu lists it among the 11 annual public holidays for salaried workers and apprentices in private-sector employment. Employers may ask staff to work only when special business conditions make it impossible to leave the day off.[2][3]
Cemetery visits and remembrance
Across Luxembourg, families visit cemeteries to commemorate deceased loved ones. The government describes the practice as accompanied by religious ceremonies and the blessing of graves; visitors leave candles, flowers and wreaths in memory of the dead.[1]
All Saints’ Day’s focus is the saints, while the following day, All Souls’ Day, is dedicated in Catholic teaching to the deceased. The two observances fall one day apart, and Luxembourg’s government account distinguishes their meanings.[1]
The northern Trauliicht tradition
A distinct local custom is the Trauliicht, found especially in northern Luxembourg’s Ardennes. People hollow out beetroot, carve faces into them and place a candle inside; the lit lanterns are set on village walls or beside home windows. The custom is associated with protecting households from spirits of the dead and evil spirits.[1]
The government says Trauliicht was widespread in the north until the 1970s and later experienced a revival. It also describes an older practical use: lanterns were hung by stable doors when cattle were brought inside, to ward off spirits and disease.[1]
Work and planning
For salaried workers, a public holiday that falls on a Sunday brings a day of compensatory leave if the holiday is not worked. This is an employment entitlement, rather than a general shift of the public holiday to another date. Employees who work on a public holiday may qualify for additional pay and leave under the applicable rules.[3]
Opening hours can depend on the business and its circumstances. Guichet.lu says workers generally do not work on public holidays, while allowing work in qualifying cases. Check with the specific service or business before travelling.[3]
Frequently asked questions
When is All Saints’ Day in Luxembourg?
Is it a day off work?
It is a legal public holiday. Salaried workers and apprentices in private-sector employment generally do not work, although some qualifying businesses may require work under the rules.[3]
Does a Sunday observance move the holiday to Monday?
What is open on the day?
Opening arrangements vary. The official guidance says work is generally not done on public holidays but recognises qualifying exceptions, so check directly with shops and services, including transport operators.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for All Saints' Day in Luxembourg:
- Allerhellegen and Trauliicht: Honour the dead and drive away evil spirits- Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Public holidays in Luxembourg- Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Working on public holidays- Guichet.lu, Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg