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Depending on one’s point of view, the Sunday closure of German retail shops is either a quirky inconvenience or a welcome respite from all that consumerism. Although on most Sundays of the year the downtown areas of German cities offer little in the way of diversion save for a handful of cafés and ice cream shops, there are exceptions to this rule.
A law known as the Shop Closing Act applies across the land, but federal states have the authority to designate exceptions to the rule, allowing shops to close late or open on Sunday afternoons on a handful of occasions throughout the year. In Hesse, Saarland and the Rhineland-Palatinate, up to four “open Sunday” events are allowed, whereas the state of Baden-Württemberg allows a city to plan three such days annually.
The Sundays upon which businesses are allowed to open are generally tied to a certain event, be it a city fest, fair, market or other event of interest to the general public. To sweeten the pot, many stores will choose to hold a sale on certain categories of items or offer a set percentage discount across the board.
On some days of the year, such as Christmas, Good Friday or Easter, there’s a blanket ban on any retail openings.
The planning and marketing boards of most cities choose to spread these occasions throughout the year, meaning there’s generally an “Open Sunday” event in spring and once again in the autumn.
The term “Mantle Sunday” refers to a very specific day of the year. Centuries ago, rural folk were too busy looking after their farms to give up a work day and shop for clothes in the big city. The big occasion on which to do that was Mantle Sunday, traditionally the Sunday before All Saints’ Day on November 1. This meant that come this special holy day, one could proudly appear at church in a new winter coat, just in time for the cold dark months of the year.
The following is a state-by-state look at some Sunday opening times near U.S. military bases planned for the autumn of 2021. Opening hours on Sundays are usually from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s wise to check the dates once again before traveling, as COVID-19 rules can quickly change everything.
BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
Bühl: Nov 7, “Open Sunday,” accompanied by a Jahrmarkt, a traditional market.
St. Leon-Rot: Nov. 7, “Open Sunday” along with the town’s traditional sauerkraut market.
BAVARIA
Hof: Oct. 31, “Open Sunday” is held in connection with the city’s international film festival; visitors can enjoy shopping, gourmet treats and the screening of films.
Würzburg: Oct. 31, “Mantle Sunday” accompanies an All Saints’ Fair promising family fun and tasty snacks.
Bayreuth: Nov. 7, “Open Sunday.”
Regensburg: Nov. 28, “Open Sunday.”
HESSE
Darmstadt: Nov. 26, Late-Night-Shopping “Black Night” event, with street entertainment and shops open until 9 p.m.
RHINELAND-PALATINATE
Bad Dürkheim: Oct. 31, “Open Sunday” accompanied by autumn market.
Speyer: Oct. 31, “Mantle Sunday” with additional stands set up in the Domgarten.
Trier: Oct. 31, “Open Sunday”
Worms: Oct. 31, the “Mantel Sunday” program includes an autumn market, All Souls Market, auto exhibition and tasty seasonal treats.
Neustadt an der Weinstrasse: Nov. 28, “Open Sunday” accompanied by the Christmas market.
SAARLAND
Zweibrücken: Oct. 31, “Open Sunday”
