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In Germany, Christmas is celebrated with festive markets, Advent traditions, and family gatherings. The Advent wreath (Adventskranz) marks the countdown with candles lit each week. Children eagerly anticipate St. Nicholas Day (December 6), when small gifts and sweets are placed in their shoes. On Christmas Eve, families exchange presents around beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Traditional meals like roast goose, sausages, and stollen (fruitcake) are enjoyed. Many attend church services, and festive decorations illuminate homes and cities.
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How to Celebrate Christmas in Germany?
Christmas in Germany is celebrated with old traditions, making it one of the country’s cherished holidays. In Germany, Christmas is celebrated over two days, on December 25th and 26th. For the majority of people, Christmas Eve, which is observed on December 24th, includes a joyful day. On these days, stores stay open until noon and are usually jam-packed with shoppers looking for gifts and holiday meals.
Then, in the early evening, families gather to decorate the Christmas tree with lights, prepare the meals, and wrap the presents. Some families have a tradition of singing and performing music together. Children write their Christmas wishes weeks in advance and look forward to receiving their gifts, whereas adults spend time with their families and friends.
Also Read: 12 Best Christmas Destinations for International Students
Christmas Traditions in Germany
Germany is well-known for its diverse and colourful Christmas traditions, which are strongly built in culture and history. These traditions continue throughout the holiday season, making Christmas a magical time for families, communities, and travellers alike. Here are some of the important Christmas traditions in Germany:
- Advent Season: The Christmas season begins with Advent, a four-week period before Christmas. Germans celebrate Advent with an Advent wreath (Adventskranz), which is decorated with four candles. Each Sunday of Advent, one candle is lit to represent hope, peace, joy, and love.
- Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmärkte): The Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market, is one of Germany’s most unique holiday traditions. These markets, which can be found in almost every city, village, and town, are packed with vendors offering handmade ornaments, holiday decorations, sweets, and traditional meals such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) and Bratwurst.
- Christmas Eve (Heiligabend): In Germany, Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) is the most important day of the holiday. Families come together for a joyful meal, which usually includes roast goose, sauerkraut, and other regional specialities. After the meal, they exchange gifts, a tradition that occurs on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.
- Traditional Christmas Food: German Christmas meals are an essential component of the celebration. Along with the Stollen (a fruit loaf dusted with powdered sugar), families prepare a variety of Christmas cookies (Plätzchen), including Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) and Vanillekipferl (vanilla crescents). These meals are shared among the friends and families.
- Christmas Decorations: The German Christmas tree tradition is widely recognised around the world. The Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) is decorated with lights, decorations, and occasionally candles, which have been a part of German holiday traditions since the 16th century. Other decorations in homes include wooden nativity scene figures, nutcrackers, and angel statues.
Some of the Christmas traditions that are celebrated in Germany are:
- Krampus Night (Krampus Nacht)
- Christmas Angel
- Stollen
- Sternsinger
- Feuerzangenbowle
- Lebkuchen
- Traditional Carols
Also Read: Christmas in USA
Top Christmas Markets in Germany
Discovering and exploring Christmas markets in germany is a beautiful experience for many. Decorated Christmas trees, a festive atmosphere, and twinkling lights transform the country into a winter wonderland. Here we will look at the best Christmas markets that you can explore in germany this winter.
- Leipzig Christmas Market: Leipzig Christmas Market is one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Germany. The market features more than 250 stalls and runs from November 26 to December 23. Some of the other highlights of this market include its treats and genuine mediaeval market and performances done on the market square edge.
- Dresdner Striezelmarkt: The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is regarded as one of the world’s first genuine Christmas markets, dating back to 1434. This market is a huge part of today’s celebrations, with over 200 stalls selling sweet delicacies, Christmas tchotchkes, and more. This market normally runs from November 27 to December 24 and is hosted in a variety of sizes.
- Trier Christmas Market: This Christmas market has been a holiday tradition in Germany for more than four decades. This market is located in the town of Trier, eight kilometres from the Luxembourg border. This market is surrounded by the Trier Cathedral and the Main Market, and its highlights include theatre performances, city trips, and holiday music.
- Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt: This market is one of the most romantic in the country, and it provides a traditional German Christmas experience. This market is spread across the six various squares and gives the warm and cuddly feeling of Christmas, starting around November 25 and ending on December 22.
- Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt: Nuremberg is one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, known as “the little city of wood and cloth.” This market, held in Nuremberg’s Main Market Square, is known for its Rauschgold angels, wooden nutcrackers, and culinary goodies including gingerbread, mulled wine, and bratwurst.
Best Places to Visit During Christmas in Germany
If you are studying in Germany, you must visit these Top 10 places to witness the magic of Christmas in Germany:
| Dresden | Munich |
| Düsseldorf | Rothenburg ob der Tauber |
| Nuremberg | Cologne |
| Essen | Breitnau |
| Stuttgart | Mosel |
Cheap Places to Travel During Christmas in Germany
If you are looking for places or cities to spend time with your family this Christmas but also want to manage your budget, then you should consider the following German cities:
| Cologne | Frankfurt |
| Berlin | Munich |
| Hamburg | Dusseldorf |
Christmas Events that Take Place in Germany
There are many events associated with Christmas that are celebrated by people in germany. Some of these events are mentioned below.
| St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag) | 5th December 2024 |
| Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) | 24th December 2024 |
| Christmas Days (Weihnachtstage) | 25th and 26th December 2024 |
| Advent Wreath (Adventskranz) | Begins four Sundays before Christmas |
Also Read: 17+ Interesting Facts about Christmas for Kids [with Quiz]
Interesting Facts about Christmas in Germany
The winter season in Germany is packed with excitement and festivities. It’s an enjoyable moment filled with Christmas customs, markets, and culinary treats that make the holidays. Given that we’ve provided the most interesting facts about Christmas in Germany that you might not know.
- In Germany, only 78% of the population celebrates Christmas, as compared to 93% of Americans.
- The custom of the Christmas Market began mostly in Germany.
- The Christmas tree, also known as Tannenbaym, originated in Germany.
- In Germany, children leave their stockings on the night of December 5 and open them on December 6, St. Nicholas Day, to find them filled with gifts and treats.
- The Christmas tree is only up on Christmas Eve.
- Krampus Night is celebrated in Germany, when Krampus, a horned-tail devil, joins St. Nicholas to teach naughty children a lesson.
- On Christmas, Germans mull every drink. Mulled red wine, mulled white wine, mulled cider, or mulled tequila are all options.
- Christmas is actually celebrated on Christmas Eve, December 24.
- A post office in Germany will physically respond to letters addressed to Santa.
- The Advent Calendar was founded in Germany in the early nineteenth century.
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FAQs
Germans celebrate with Advent calendars, wreaths, Christmas markets, St. Nicholas Day, nativity plays, and Christmas Eve feasts.
Yes, carols are sung at home, at churches, and during Christmas concerts, adding to the festive atmosphere. Hence, it is an important part of the Christmas tradition.
Celebrations begin in late November with Advent and continue until January 6th, Epiphany, which marks the end of the holiday season.
Weihnachtstage refers to the public holidays of December 25th and 26th, which are dedicated to family reunions, dinners, and relaxation.
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th, when children place boots outside their doors, which St. Nicholas fills with chocolates, nuts, and little gifts if they have been good throughout the year.
Advent is the countdown to Christmas. Families place candles on Advent wreaths and enjoy calendars containing small treats or gifts.
Common meals include roast goose, carp, potato salad, and raclette, which are served with festive desserts like as stollen and gingerbread.
Famous Christmas markets in germany include Dresdner Striezelmarkt, Trier Market, Nuremberg Market, Dresden, Cologne, and Munich, which offer crafts, festive foods, and traditional German Christmas decorations.
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