The traditions that make up Christmas in Germany are time-honored and span over a thousand years, from pagan rituals to the Christian practices we uphold today.
Embracing new ways from different cultures is more than learning to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages, it’s about finding those warm cultural practices that bring the magical feeling of Christmas nostalgia to your heart. Discover your new tradition here, so your holiday can feel more like Christmas in Germany.
Table of Contents
A quick timeline for Christmas in Germany
Christmas in Germany lasts much longer as a season than in America. While Americans only celebrate Christmas Eve on the 24th of December and Christmas day on the 25th of December, Germans focus on a month-long celebration of Advent, which features extra holidays like Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day) and Zweiter Weihnachtstag (second Christmas day).
See the timeline below to learn what the season of Advent looks like in Germany and when you can expect each holiday to be celebrated:
- Four Sundays before December 25th: Advent begins, marking the start of Christmas in Germany.
- December 1st: Adventskalender (Advent calendars) start, building excitement for children as they anticipate Christmas Eve.
- Early December: Home and street decorations start going up with lights, nativity scenes, and ornaments to celebrate the Christmas season
- December 5th: Krampusnacht (Krampus night) is held in Alpine regions of Germany and Austria.
- December 6th: Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day) is celebrated with children leaving their shoes outside overnight for St. Nicholas to fill with candy, nuts, and small gifts if the child has been good.
- December 24th: Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) in Germany. The fully decorated Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) is finally revealed to the children, and gifts are placed under the tree.
- December 25th: Erster Weihnachtstag (first Christmas day) is the first official Christmas day, often focused on family gatherings and feasts.
- December 26th: Zweiter Weihnachtstag (second Christmas day) is spent visiting extended family or friends. This second day is quieter than the 25th of December, and many Germans choose to simply spend the day relaxing from all the holiday fun.
Build anticipation with German Advent
Advent is a month-long, religiously-centered season of ritual and festivities. It begins in November, four Sundays before the Erster Weihnachtstag (first Christmas day) held on December 25th. The first Sunday of Advent signals to the German people that the Christmas season is upon them and creates a rhythm that steadily builds the excitement of families and communities for the big day.
As a classic German Christmas tradition, families will construct an arrangement of evergreen branches with four candles in a circle known as the Adventskranz (Advent wreath). Each Sunday before Christmas day, the family will light one of the candles on the wreath then engage in song and prayer as a religious practice.
The Adventskalender (Advent calendar) began as a tradition in Germany too, in which children open a small compartment on the calendar each day of Advent. The compartment would hold candies or small gifts to tide the kids over until Christmas day.
Take part in the Krampusnacht Christmas tradition
Thanks to recent Hollywood horror adaptations, Krampus has become a figure of terror in America, but what does he actually have to do with Christmas in Germany? Krampusnacht (Krampus night) is held in the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria on December 5th, the night before Nikolaustag (St. Nicolas Day).
On Krampusnacht, locals gather and drink heavily, as tradition demands, before dressing up as Krampus, a half-man, half-goat, horned devil, and taking to the streets in a parade known as the Krampuslauf (Krampus run).
These festively dressed individuals attempt to scare out any demons in the village or city, clearing the way for warm holiday spirits. That night, Krampus is said to visit the homes of children and leave candy and gifts for good children or switches for bad children so their parents could swat them.
Celebrate St. Nicholas Day in Germany
While Christmas itself is the main holiday in Germany, on December 6th the German people celebrate Nikolaustag (St. Nicolas Day). This is a day set aside to honor St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra known for generosity and gift-giving. He is the inspiration for the modern Santa Claus, but German tradition separates the two entirely into their own special days.
The night before Nikolaustag, children place their shoes or boots carefully outside their front door or by their windowsill. St. Nicholas visits late that night while the children sleep. If the child has behaved well, he leaves them candy and small gifts like toys. Naughty children can expect a small rod for smacks by Knecht Ruprecht, or Krampus in Alpine regions that hold him as tradition. Children spend the day of Nikolaustag singing carols, participating in reenactment plays, and spending time with family.
Sing German Christmas carols
The nostalgic feel of many popular Christmas songs and carols you know and love were originally written in Germany. Consider looking up one of the original versions of your favorite Christmas songs and carols from the list below:
- Alle Jahre wieder (Every Year Again)
- Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet (O Come, Little Children)
- Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling (Ring, Little Bell)
- Leise rieselt der Schnee (Softly Falls the Snow)
- O du fröhliche (O, How Joyfully)
- O’ Tannenbaum (O’ Christmas Tree)
- Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night)
Admire the Weihnachtsbaum: A German gift to the world
The Weihnachtsbaum, or “Christmas tree,” as we know and love it, can be traced straight back to Germany for its origins. As the story goes, an English missionary witnessed a pagan sacrifice at an oak tree dedicated to Thor, their god of thunder. The missionary chopped down the sacred oak and, much to the pagans’ surprise, was not immediately smitten by their god, instead proclaiming a nearby evergreen as their new holy tree. This, reportedly, was the first Weihnachtsbaum.
Several centuries later, German migrants brought the tradition of decorating evergreen trees as a symbol of lasting life through wintertime to England. The trend quickly spread, and even King George III had a decorated Weihnachtsbaum thanks to his German-born wife.
Explore German Christmas markets for an authentic experience
Looking for an authentic way to spend your Christmas in Germany? German Christmas markets offer a fun and approachable experience for all ages that adds that extra Christmas magic to your holiday season.
You can expect a Christmas-themed street market selling nutcrackers, toys, Christmas decorations, and flavorful dishes you can eat while you walk around and shop. Since most German beer gardens are closed this time of year due to the cold, these Christmas markets are a great option if you’re looking for an outdoor activity.
Be on the lookout for a Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) stall for a traditional German Christmas drink. They serve either red or white wine warmed with spices and fruit, which you can sip on to keep you warm. This is a German favorite not to be missed when visiting a German Christmas market!
When Christmas markets start in Germany
So, when do Christmas markets start in Germany? You can expect to see the first German Christmas market stands opening in the last week of November. Some of the largest markets held in Berlin or Cologne will open a touch earlier to catch weekend travelers, but more traditional markets stick closely to the start of Advent.
Try Germany’s favorite Christmas foods
Fill your belly with Christmas food the right way: with traditional dishes cooked and refined over centuries in German kitchens. German food is savory, focusing on quality ingredients and comes from a rich agricultural background that leads to a satisfying sensation of cultural warmth and nourishment. Though Erntedankfest is the time known for exquisite feasts in Germany, Christmas has its own special dishes and desserts in store.
Find your new favorite German Christmas food from these mouth-watering dishes:
- Karpfen (carp): Enjoyed mainly in Catholic regions of Germany, symbolizing a meat-free meal for Christmas Eve. Can be pan-fried, breaded, or poached in a seasoned broth for a traditional German Christmas entrée.
- Kartoffelklöße (potato dumplings): Fluffy, round potato dumpling made from a mix of grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes. Perfect for soaking up gravy and butter!
- Lebkuchen: The iconic, German version of gingerbread baked with nuts and glazed in fruit reductions or coated in chocolate.
- Marzipan treats: Candy made from finely ground almonds and sugar in Lübeck, the country’s marzipan capital. This treat is cut and molded into figurines like Glücksschweine (lucky pigs).
- Stollen: A dense and buttery fruit loaf adorned with raisins, nuts, marzipan, and even candied citrus peels. The inspiration for the modern American fruit cake tradition.
- Weihnachtsgans (Christmas goose): An oven-roasted goose with a crisp skin and tender meat, traditionally served with red cabbage and potato dumplings.
Indulge in essential German Christmas drinks
Given the long, cold season in Germany during Winter, Germans have historically concocted several rich and flavorful drinks to match the season. You’ll notice, too, that most of these beverages are even served warm to combat the frigid temperatures from the inside out.
Below are some of the most popular drinks you can enjoy for Christmas in Germany:
- Bockbier (Winterbock): Dark, strong, and malty, this traditional German Bier (beer) is brewed with the cold months of the year in mind. Bockbier has a smooth texture and a lightly sweet taste.
- Eierlikör (egg liqueur): Germany’s version of eggnog crafted with egg yolks, sugar, and either brandy or rum. You can find tiny chocolate cups with Eierlikör at German Christmas markets for a fun shot for adults!
- Feuerzangenbowle (fire-tongs punch): Adding a little flair to the traditional beverage, this drink takes Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and lights a log of sugar or a sugar cube on fire over it. The caramelized sugar drips into the mulled wine for a sweeter flavor.
- Heißer Apfelwein (warm, mulled apple cider): A hot, spiced twist on Frankfurt’s famous apple cider. If wine isn’t your preference, you can still choose this drink for a lighter option that has all the warmth and flavor of German Christmas traditions.
- Kinderpunsch (child’s punch): Kid-friendly and delicious, this favorite of the young and sober alike swaps the wine in Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) with fruit, keeping the warmth and spices that make it taste uniquely German.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Germany
German yuletide celebrations bring traditions that keep spirits high through the coldest and darkest times of the year. Here are the three am häufigsten gestellten Fragen (most frequently asked questions) about Christmas in Germany:
Is Germany a good place to travel for Christmas if I don’t speak German?
Yes, Germany is one of the easiest countries to navigate during the holidays if you have little to no knowledge of the German language. You can expect to find signage written in English at most transportation hubs like train stations and airports in major cities like Berlin or Munich. Germans are typically quite skilled in English, too, and can generally be counted on to patiently switch languages when needed. Regardless, learning a few basic German phrases like danke (thank you), bitte (please), or “excuse me” in German can go a long way to showing respect.
What should I wear to a German Christmas market?
When going to a German Christmas market, dress like you’ll be walking around for a few hours inside a refrigerator. These markets are magical, but they’re also held outside during winter, often with freezing temperatures and snow. Wear layers of clothing, winter coats, gloves, a warm hat, and shoes that are both warm and comfortable to walk in for extended periods. Consider boots with good traction, since ice plus cobblestones equals slippery chaos to the unprepared.
Can you bring German Christmas foods or drinks home as souvenirs?
You can bring many classic German Christmas foods and drinks home as souvenirs or gifts for loved ones. Many baked goods like Stollen, Lebkuchen, and marzipan are packaged and shelf-stable to ensure a safe trip home. Otherwise, bottled drinks like Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) or Eierlikör (egg liqueur) travel well, but typically need to be brought back in checked luggage if you’re flying, depending on your country’s customs rules.
0 Commentaires