Jingle bell season is about to come, and everyone is planning how to make this Christmas season memorable. If you want to experience something magical this December, then Germany could be an excellent destination to witness bustling Christmas markets and rich traditions, as well as indulging your taste buds in various heartwarming dishes. Christmas in Germany is also called the Advent season andis celebrated with warmth and togetherness. Fascinating, right? Therefore, we have gathered all the information regarding the Christmas celebration in Germany. You just need to pack your luggage and book tickets, the rest we have covered it all.
Christmas In Germany- An Overview
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Christmas in Germany is a three-day celebration which starts on Christmas eve, i.e. 24th December. This is known as “Heiligabend”, and it is the primary day of celebration. All the shops and stores are open only until noon because in the evening everyone gets ready for a festive dinner with their respective families. They also decorate the Christmas tree together with fairy lights and baubles, which is also called Tannenbaum and exchange gifts with each other. For the rest of the night, German people enjoy family time and sing German Christmas carols to welcome this grand festival. Witnessing the Christmas charm of Germany is one of a lifetime experience that you must include in your travel diaries.
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Celebration Highlights On 25th and 26th December
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On the main day, i.e. 25th December, the family continue the celebrations till Christmas breakfast. This day is called erster. All the religious people visit the Church and take part in prayer meetings, carols and then festive meals. Rest families celebrate Christmas at home with their families. Many movie shows based on Christ’s birth and his teaching are organized to get people familiar with its religious significance. Also, exploring Christmas market is ma ust to add an extra dose of charm to your trip.
The next day of Christmas is known as the Second Christmas day or zweiter Weihnachtstag. These three days are a holiday in the entire of Germany where you can spend an amazing time with your family and enjoy sightseeing of famous spots complemented by a heartwarming atmosphere.
Advent Season In Germany
Advent Season is the alarm of the beginning of the Christmas season, which starts four weeks before the festival. Also called the “Adventskranz,” the Advent wreath is one of the most recognizable representations of the Advent season. A fresh candle is lit on the wreath’s four candles every Advent Sunday. Lighting the first candle on the first Sunday, the second on the second, and so on is customary. Advent Season calendars also have a very significant role in the Christmas in Germany celebration. This calendar has 24 small doors, which mark the countdown of Heiligabend (Christmas eve) from 1st December. After that, it is traditional to open a door every day until Christmas Eve. Most Advent calendars feature a chocolate or other sweet treat behind each door. These days, calendars also include games, refreshments, and toys.
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Tradtitions For Christmas In Germany
Celebrating Christmas in Cologne Germany? If yes, here are some wonderful traditions to must experience and make your festival more sparkling like never before:
1. Stocking Filling
Christmas celebration in Germany starts at the beginning of December month. All the children get the stockings on 6th December, Saint Nicholas Day. This day is the feast of Saint Nicholas and is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Germany. After receiving the stockings, children start filling their stockings with candies, notes and many interesting things.
2. Krampus Night or Krampus Nacht
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This tradition is also celebrated on 5th December, a day before the Saint Nicholas Feast. On this day, people wear costumes and do make-up like the devil Krampus and stroll around the city. It is one of the most interesting German Christmas traditions Krampus Devil scares children who have misbehaved so that they can learn good manners.
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3. Christmas tree
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Only a few people know that the modern Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany. All the country’s families brought only the original Christmas tree to homes and decorated them with lights and other items. Many homes still decorate their halls on the morning of Christmas Eve, however, this now varies from family to family. Only the tree is left for last, even though the rest of the house has already been decorated.
4. Advent Wreath
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Putting the Advent Wreath on the table is one of the oldest German traditions starting in the 16th Century. This tradition is also known as Adventskranz and holds great significance in the heart of locals. There are four candles in the wreath, and each candle is lit up on each Sunday throughout the month until the festival arrives. Apart from this, the wreath is also embellished with berries, festive ornaments and dried flowers.
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5. Christmas Markets
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To add some extra dose of excitement to the festive mood, it is a must to explore German Christmas markets. These markets are perfect to make the festival more charming. Here, you can explore various Christmas clothes, decoration items, handmade wooden ornaments, and home decor. You can also taste many local dishes prepared specially for Christmas, such as cakes and muffins. Ice skating fun is a must to quench the thirst of your thrill seeker soul.
Some of the famous Christmas markets in Rothenburg Germany are:
- Christkindlesmarkt
- Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt am Römer
- Sternschnuppenmarkt
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
- Christkindlmarkt
- Striezelmarkt
6. Christmas Angles
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One of the most beautiful parts of Christmas in Hamburg Germany is the Christmas angel decoration that can be found around the houses during the Christmas season. These angles are either put outside the home or on the tree to add some extra charm in the decoration. It is one of the most famous traditions of German Christmas.
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7. Indulging In The Flavour Of Stollen And Lebkuchen
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Stollen is a fruit bread prepared with nuts, spices, candied fruits and powdered sugar. This is one of the most famous food for christmas in Germany that you must have to delight your taste buds. In Germany, Stollen often called Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen. Now, these are popular and in demand all over the world. Another must try cake to have with tea is Lebkuchen, also known as Pfefferkuchen.
Must-Have Experiences During Christmas In Germany
With the jingle bell vibe all over the world, it is quite fascinating to celebrate Christmas in a different country and observe their traditions for a different experience. If you are going to Germany this Christmas and want to make the most out of your trip, here are some must-have experiences to have during Christmas in Germany:
1. Dive Into Winter Sport
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With the freezing weather and snow-covered peaks all over the country, Germany offers an amazing opportunity to dive into winter sports experiences. One of the most famous activities that you can enjoy during the winter season here is Ice skating. There are many spots to enjoy this freezing sport and embrace an adventurous experience.
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2. Advent Calendar
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Being an important part of Christmas celebrations, Advent Calendar countdown experience is one of the must have experiences to have during Christmas in Berlin Germany. It keeps you excited everyday and is an amazing activity to take part. You can keep chocolates, berries, alcohol or even skincare products in each door of calendar according to your choice.
3. Christmas Celebration Events
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Christmas celebrations events in Germany have sparling charm and attract tourists from all over the world to celebrate this festive season. If you want, you can also host a Christmas party by yourself and invite your friends either nationally or internationally. This will allow you to spend some quality time with your loved ones, as well as add an extra dose of charm in your celebration.
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4. Secret Santa
One of the most popular games which is now celebrated all over the world is secret Santa .During your Christmas celebration in Germany, you can also arrange a secret Santa game with your family or friends. In this game, each person is allotted his or her secret Santa where the Santa person will bring a gift for the allotted person. Then, the gift receiver will have to guess the name of his or her Santa.
5. Exploring Christmas Markets In Nuremberg Germany
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These best Christmas markets in Germany are perfect to make the festival more charming. Here, you can explore a great variety of Christmas clothes, decoration items, handmade wooden ornaments, and home decor. They offer a great range of decorations for Christmas in Germany. You can also taste many local dishes prepared specially for Christmas, such as cakes and muffins.
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From tasting mouth-watering Stollen to doing a countdown on the Advent calendar, all the traditions have their own significant in the celebration of Christmas in Germany. Looking for a majestic Christmas celebration? Plan your trip to Europe and let your soul indulge in a most mesmerising experience like never before. Merry Christmas, travellers!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Germany
How does Germany celebrate Christmas?
Christmas in Germany is a three days celebration where families are gathered together to have delicious meals, attend Church prayers, and explore the Christmas markets. Christmas trees and Advent Calendars are among the most famous traditions of Germany that add an extra dose of charm to the celebration.
Why is Christmas on the 24th in Germany?
Christmas celebration in Germany starts on Christmas Eve, and people start decorating trees and exchanging gifts. Christmas Eve is considered the main festival day in Germany according to their tradition.
What is Santa called in Germany?
In Germany, Santa Claus is called Der Weihnachtsmann.
Does Germany get snow?
Yes, Germany get freezing snow during the month of December and February. The temperature is quite colder in the mountain areas.
What is Christmas called in German?
Christmas is a 3-day celebration in Germany and is known as the name of Weihnachten.
What is Germany most known for?
Germany is an amazing country known for its automotive industry, historic landmarks, and cultural festivals. People also visit this country to try its delicious cuisine.
What is the Christmas food in Germany?
Roasted goose, turkey or duck is the traditional Christmas food in Germany, served with plump bread dumplings.
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