Easter Monday in Luxembourg
Easter Monday is one of Luxembourg’s 11 legal public holidays and falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday. In Luxembourg City and Nospelt, the day is also known for Éimaischen, a traditional market and folk festival featuring distinctive clay bird whistles.[1][3]
Legal status and time off
Luxembourg’s law of 25 April 2019 sets Easter Monday as a legal public holiday. The employment rules apply to salaried workers and apprentices in private-sector companies; in principle, they do not work on a public holiday.[1][2]
Pay or compensatory leave depends on the person’s normal work schedule and whether they work that day. For example, a worker who would normally work more than four hours on the Monday and takes it off receives a paid day of rest. If the holiday falls on a day they normally do not work, they are entitled to compensatory leave. Employees who work may be entitled to additional pay and, in some circumstances, compensatory leave.[2]
A Luxembourg Easter Monday tradition
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a major annual religious festival in Luxembourg. The government’s account describes church services during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, as well as family customs such as colouring and hiding eggs for children to find.[3]
The holiday’s best-known local event is Éimaischen, held in Luxembourg City’s old quarter and the village of Nospelt. It is a folk festival and traditional market with handicrafts and folk groups. Its Péckvillercher are small terracotta birds that make a cuckoo-like call when blown; the Luxembourg City potters’ market dates back at least to the 19th century. The festival recalls the Gospel story of Jesus’ disciples travelling to Emmaus.[3]
What to expect for shops and travel
Easter Monday is a public holiday, but that does not mean every shop must close. Mandatory public-holiday closures apply on New Year’s Day, 1 May and Christmas Day; Easter Monday is not among them. Retail businesses are subject to public-holiday opening-hour limits, and individual businesses may choose whether to open, so check locally before travelling to a shop.[4]
Public transport timetables are available through the Public Transport Administration’s Mobiliteit.lu service. Check the journey and line timetable for the holiday itself when planning a trip to Éimaischen or elsewhere in the country.[5]
Easter Monday in Luxembourg: FAQs
Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Luxembourg?
Do employees get paid time off?
Private-sector salaried workers and apprentices are generally entitled to public-holiday rest. Pay or compensatory leave depends on their normal schedule and whether they work that day.[2]
What is Éimaischen?
It is an Easter Monday folk festival and traditional market in Luxembourg City’s old quarter and Nospelt, known for handicrafts and Péckvillercher clay bird whistles.[3]
Are shops open on Easter Monday?
Some may be. Easter Monday is not among the public holidays for which government guidance requires retail businesses to close, but check a particular shop’s hours before visiting.[4]
How can I check public transport?
Use the Public Transport Administration’s Mobiliteit.lu service to look up lines and timetables for your journey on the holiday.[5]
Sources and references
Sources used for Easter Monday in 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
- Easter traditions in Luxembourg: of egg hunts, Éimaischen and other customs- Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Opening hours for craft and retail businesses- Guichet.lu, Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Timetables and lines- Mobiliteit.lu, Public Transport Administration