Amish Holidays: What They Observe

Amish observe a variety of religious holidays, and some public holidays as well

Amish appreciate time off just as any other Americans do, in order to rest, spend time with family and for religious observation. The Amish holiday schedule differs somewhat from that of the typical American, however.

Public holidays

Amish generally do not celebrate public holidays, though may be granted days off from work depending on their employer. Amish do recognize Thanksgiving as well as New Year’s Day. In some settlements Amish might take in fireworks on the Fourth of July, for example.

Amish do not observe Halloween, but may display decorative pumpkins (uncarved) and gourds during the autumn months. In some communities, for Valentine’s Day Amish children may exchange cards and candy, or adults may have a special dinner.

Amish religious holidays

Among religious holidays, like other Christians, Amish celebrate Christmas, Easter, and Good Friday. Additional religious days observed by the Amish include Easter Monday, second Christmas on December 26^th, Pentecost, and Ascension Day. Pentecost, Easter Monday, and second Christmas may not be celebrated in all communities (Enterprise, Kraybill/Nolt).

amish christmas — Horses wait outside an Amish school during the annual Christmas program

Amish typically do not have special church services on Easter Sunday or Christmas, for example, but will cover the appropriate parts of Scripture during the Sunday service closest to those days. Amish undergo fasting the day before communion in spring and autumn. Good Friday and St. Michael’s Day are days of fasting as well.

Amish exchange gifts at Christmas, though they do not put up a Christmas tree or teach children about Santa Claus. Some Amish schools may put on an annual Christmas school program. At Easter, Amish children may color eggs.

Amish holiday work schedules

Amish appreciate working for Amish employers, who follow the same holiday schedule and may grant employees time off for weddings. In Amish Enterprise, Kraybill and Nolt describe the schedule of an Amish entrepreneur who employs both Amish and non-Amish workers.

Among other free days, non-Amish employees are given time off for Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day. In place of these holidays, Amish are exempt from working on Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, and Fall Fast Day.

If you’re planning to visit an Amish community on a holiday, keep in mind that it may mean that Amish stores and shops will be closed. However, not all Amish observe the same holiday schedule. For example, Amish in the northern Indiana community (Elkhart-LaGrange County) observe Ascension Day, while Amish in another large community in the state (Adams County) do not.

For more, see:

5 Lesser-Known Amish Holidays
The Amish & Christmas
The Amish & Thanksgiving
Amish & July 4th
The Amish & Halloween
The Amish & Ascension Day
Amish Society, John A. Hostetler
The Riddle of Amish Culture, Donald B. Kraybill
Amish Enterprise: From Plows to Profits, Donald B. Kraybill and Steven M. Nolt

Common Questions about the Amish & Holidays

Amish children singing Christmas carols — Image: sneakerdog/flickr

Which holidays do Amish celebrate?
Do Amish observe Christmas?
Do Amish children go trick-or-treating?
Do Amish people go on vacation?

1. Which holidays do Amish celebrate?

Amish observe numerous religious holidays that other Christian groups do, including Christmas and Easter. In some communities they also commemorate days such as Ascension Day, Easter Monday, Pentecost, and Second Christmas. Depending on the employer, Amish workers may receive time off for secular holidays including Labor Day and the Fourth of July. Read more.

2. Do Amish observe Christmas?

Amish do observe Christmas, though since they hold church services every two weeks, it’s unlikely church will be held on December 25th, but with the day being commemorated on the day of the closest Sunday service.

Amish people eat Christmas dinner, exchange simple gifts, and may observe the day by discussing the birth of Jesus with children. Amish schools often have a holiday program which is put on by the schoolchildren and attended by parents, and which can include poems, songs and plays. Some Amish also celebrate Old Christmas.

3. Do Amish children trick-or-treat on Halloween?

Amish do not celebrate Halloween. Though some have reported seeing Amish children trick-or-treat in one Ohio settlement, this is not a holiday Amish people observe. Some Amish may display decorative pumpkins and gourds though do not have a custom of carving jack-o-lanterns.

4. Do Amish people go on vacation?

Many Amish take trips, often to visit family in other communities. Amish men may go on hunting excursions in other areas of the country. Amish people living near the East Coast or large cities may visit the ocean, museums, and zoos.

Quite a few Amish visit the southern settlement of Pinecraft in Florida. Taking a trip can be expensive since it may involve hiring an “Amish taxi” for a large family to travel. Coach services catering to the Amish are a popular option for long-distance travel to select destinations.