This Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, post offices, banks, stores and businesses on the economy will be closed (Geschlossen) in honor of German Unification Day, a German national holiday established on October 3, 1990 as East and West Germany reunited when the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

The day is a significant holiday in Germany, with many cities hosting large celebrations and festivals across the country. Thus, in addition to Tuesday closures, many businesses and stores will also close Monday. There is a cultural tradition in Germany to create a Brückentag, or “bridge day” when a lone holiday occurs on a Tuesday or a Thursday, in order to turn one holiday into a long weekend.

So, in effect, Germany’s long holiday weekend will begin Sunday and run through Tuesday. Although traffic might be lighter on the autobahns this weekend – it could mean that an attraction you may have planned to visit on Sunday, might actually be closed – so make sure to double check any travel plans!

Read more about this tradition, and be sure to plan your weekend’s activities around these closures.