A typical advent calendar is made of cardboard with 24 small numbered ‘doors’ (Türchen) marking each day in December until Christmas Eve (December 24th). The first door is opened on the 1st December until the last and often biggest door is opened on the 24th of December. Besides German Unity Day, holidays in Germany are determined by the federal states. Some officers were unhappy at the truce and worried that it would undermine fighting spirit. Photos: Christmas in Germany – Berlin. And in terms of a traditional Christmas Day dinner in Germany, there’s an awful lot of it to get through. They do this in the hope that St. Nicholas and his assistant Knecht Ruprecht will visit their house. Celebration\ Observance. Disclaimer: Simple Germany refers to helpful services and does not provide a complete market overview. Christmas time in Germany simply is magical, and you should experience it at least once in your life. After the four Advent Sundays are over, there follow Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. December 25th in Germany is also known as “Erster Weihnachtstag” (first Christmas Day). On Christmas Day the white candle of the Advent wreath is lit. I shared one fact about Christmas in Germany on my Facebook page for each of the 12 Days of Christmas. Some families (29% of Germans) go to church in the afternoon of the 24th for a special Christmas mass (Christmette). Christmas Day has a Christian origin. That shows that a whopping 73% of German homes have their own Christmas tree, which is always a real tree (only 22% put up a fake tree) and decorated with classic color-matching decorations and white lights. German public holidays during 2021. You can also find some more exclusive smaller Christmas markets at old castles on the weekends (e.g., at the Burg Satzvey close to Cologne or the Landpartie close to Bremen) with more high-quality huts and artists. Christmas markets and stalls sell traditional German delicatessen such as Christmas stollen, hot and sticky sweet roasted almonds, 'Lebkuchen' hearts (gingerbread hearts) and other Christmas sweets as well as typical Christmas decorations can be found in many towns. This has changed slightly. Christmas in Germany is called Weihnachten, and it is a three day holiday. The information provided on this blog is based on our own experience and in-depth research. Children also put their shoes, stockings or plates outside, so if Saint Nicholas does not come into the house, he still can leave some fruits, nuts and sweets for the children. ind some popular - and easy to learn - English Christmas poems here. The whole of his account of the fighting on Christmas day can be read in Eastern Inferno: The Journals of a German Panzerjager on the Eastern Front, 1941-43. Christmas in Germany: Read here about the best German Christmas markets to visit. 3 October (Monday): Day of German Unity (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) 31 October (Monday): Reformation Day (Reformationstag) – generally a regional holiday in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and parts of Thuringia. Germans usually keep their Christmas tree up until January 6th, the day of the Three Wise Men (die Heiligen Drei Könige). If this guide was helpful to you, and saved you time of research, please consider supporting this website by. The most famous German christmas market is in Nuremberg. There are nine public holidays that are observed in all 16 federal states in Germany, including New Year's Day, German Unity Day and Christmas Day. Until the Roman church adopted December 25 in the 4th century, January 6 was the day of celebration — today’s Epiphany or Heilige Drei Könige (the “Wise Men,” “Three Kings,” … December with the Advent celebrations. Our ADVENT CALENDAR begins on December 1! Advent wreaths, the first signs of Christmas in Germany, appear on the first Sunday in Advent, about four weeks before Christmas. Traditionally, Christmas gifts are brought by the Christkind (child of Christ). Striezelmarkt, Dresden. In 2020, the four Advent Sundays are celebrated on 29 November, 6 December, 13 December and 20 December as Christmas day is on a Friday this year. Germans, expats, and tourists alike flock to the markets and its many huts. The Christmas holiday in Germany begins on December 24th and ends on the 26th. On Christmas Day the white candle of the Advent wreath is lit. While children in Canada have Christmas parades to assure that Santa is on the way, in Germany the magic of Christmas starts with the December arrival of the advent calendar. According to a YouGov survey in 2017, 71% of all people in Germany were planning to visit Christmas markets, and 73% say that they cannot imagine an advent season without Christmas markets. Day 1/12. Christmas market activities in Dresden date back well into the 15th century | … A century ago. As an expat, be sure to visit several different markets and even other cities to get a more fabulous feel for the German Christmas traditions. By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.Learn more. Advent starts on the first Sunday after November 26th. In order to get rid of the by now dried up Christmas tree, they put it out on their sidewalk the night before the official Christmas tree pickup. Read here about the best German Christmas markets to visit. ©Kids-World-Travel-Guide.com 2010-2021 | Created by Regina Gräff and KidsWorldTravels, All rights reserved | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, Christmas tree at Brandenburg Gate at night, There On 25th December (Christmas Day) and 26 December, usually the family gets together for celebrations and also the religious Christians will visit Christmas mass during these days. He was later given the title of Saint Nicholas and is patron saint of children. We will let you in on how Germans celebrate Christmas, what really happens during the advent season, and why Christmas without Christmas markets is not considered Christmas. More on The German Way. December 25th was chosen by the Romans to initially celebrate the rebirth of sun and nature. This pyramid is actually a little carousel with angels and a nativity scene, that stand on several levels and spin. How Christmas in Germany is celebrated these days. But the real celebration starts from 6th December, St. Nicholas Day, known here as "Nikolaustag". Learn about German Christmas customs with our special online German Way Advent Calendar.By clicking on a calendar-date window (1-24), you’ll see a different Christmas fact each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve, when German and many European families celebrate Christmas … Advent in Germany always starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, the 25th of December. Children place a freshly polished pair of boots in front of their bedroom doors. On 25th December (Christmas Day) and 26 December, usually the family gets together for celebrations and also the religious Christians will … Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) and Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) are both always on Thursdays. Christmas did not start in Germany, but many of the holiday’s traditions began there, including decorating trees. In the early-19th century, writers imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration. View 9 Day Germany and Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) in a larger map. While the majority, 81%, will have a Glühwein, the typical hot spiced wine, 34% enjoy buying their Christmas gifts at the markets, and 69% have the feeling that Christmas markets put them in a contemplative mood. Celebrate in Southern Germany Spend an unforgettable Christmas week in an Alpine paradise, where your hosts will fill your days with Bavarian Gemutlichkeit – warmth and good cheer. During the advent season, a lot of traditional activities and decorations take place. The custom of decorating a tree began in Germany in the early 17th century and continues today. For many people, 24 December, Christmas Eve, is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening. -> Some restaurant might close for the day, but it's not a smart decision money wise. Traditionally, German Christmas trees are decorated with wooden ornaments and real candles. Nowadays, there are tons of variations of advent calendars, a favorite being with chocolate. is a festive atmosphere during the whole month of December. When I was a child, it was very common that the kids didn't see the Christmas tree (Weihnachtsbaum) before Heilig Abend. In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote the novel A Christmas Carol, which helped revive the "spirit" of Christmas and seasonal merriment. Dresden boasts the most Christmas markets in the eastern region of Germany and it also hosts its oldest seasonal event, the Striezel Christmas Market which dates back to 1434. Be careful, though, Glühwein contains more alcohol than you might think . 14% of German families still sing Christmas carols, Weihnachtsmarkt Römerberg in Frankfurt (one of the, Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Christmas Markets of Germany (Classic, 8 Days) 1 review "This was a great tour! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. What is Saint Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag) in Germany? Christmas Day has a Christian origin. In Germany, especially in the Bavarian region, St. Nicholas Day (the 6 th of December) is celebrated with a visit from St Nick. You might have heard of some of the best Christmas markets in Germany, such as: The Christmas markets open at the end of November and are traditionally open until December 24th. Come with us on a journey through the illuminated streets of Germany’s beautifully decorated towns and cities. Japanese troops march onto Hong Kong island, December 1941. Yes, you have read that right and if you are curious for more, take a look at our German Trash Guide. German Advent Calendar: Facts of the Day Der German-Way-Adventskalender. To start with, there’s the relatively low key breakfast and/or lunch, the content of which varies from region to region. According to tradition, the 'Christkind' (Christ child or Baby Jesus) will place the wrapped gifts and parcels under the Christmas tree whilst young children usually are not allowed to enter the living room before the celebrations in the evening. German children ask for presents by writing a letter to the Christ Child. However, in the past years, I have seen a few open until New Year’s Eve. Even the date of the celebration of Christ’s birth has fluctuated. St. Nicholas Day (Sankt Nikolaus Tag) In Germany, December 5th is a very special night. in Germany is celebrated with many traditions that are unique to Germany. Der 1. Here you can see the compiled list. In Germany, from early December to Christmas Eve, the winter air is filled with the aroma of baked fruit loaves; bratwurst, or sausage; roasted nuts; and lebkuchen, a spicy cookie.The German shoppers make their way between the red-roofed stalls, purchasing food, toys, Christmas decorations.The special shopping item is prune men and prune women. Simple Germany helps expats start their new life in Germany. Christmas Day in Germany Christmas Day is public holiday in 2020 in whole Germany. Shops and offices are usually open until noon (unless it is a Sunday), and then everything closes up for a mainly silent and quiet time spent with family. The ones in the cities are always free. Christmas The main celebration is on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), December 24th. Japanese: クリスマ … Gifts are usually opened on the evening of the 24th. My sister and I had a medieval castle village made out of cardboard. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, without costing you a cent extra. Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag) is celebrated in Germany and at least 30 other countries. These are the places where families go to get into the holiday spirit. It is pretty much a pre-Christmas, as in the eyes of the kids, Nikolaus is dressed just like Santa Claus. At the spot where their regimental ancestors came out from their trenches to play football on Christmas Day 1914, men from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers played a football match with the German CALGARY, Alta. Christmas & New Year . Although the federal government has the power to declare national holidays, control over public holidays rests primarily with the individual states. Businesses are usually closed during this holiday. December 25th and 26th are official holidays called First and Second Christmas Day (Erster und Zweiter Weihnachtstag). Christmas starts early in Germany. Italy and is now common in many countries around the world. The festive Christmas celebrations start already in the afternoon, when many families with children attend a festive children's mass at their local church. A Christmas truce memorial was unveiled in Frelinghien, France, on 11 November 2008. Many businesses – but not police stations or hospitals – close during national holidays in German and regional public holidays. Oh, the famous Christmas Markets, who has not heard of them yet. This day is usually reserved for visiting close family that lives further away such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag) is celebrated in Germany and at least 30 other countries. I think there are just too many pretty ones, and everyone ends up having a favorite. On December 6th, Germans celebrate Nikolaustag. On every Advent Sunday, one more candle is lit until all candles are alight to announce the imminent birth of Christ. There are many stands with mouth-blown and delicately painted glass baubles in all sizes and colours. Copy and paste: Christmas in Germany, Kids World Travel Guide: Christmas in Germanypin for Kids. But for the following Twelve Days of Christmas, people in some parts of Germany beat drums to drive off spirits. On the second advent, the second Sunday, a second candle gets lit, and so on. Families with older children often decorate the tree together during the day and after the Christmas celebrations, they visit midnight mass at their church. We are not certified brokers or consultants. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, was added in 1871. Answer 1 of 3: We are planning to spend Christmas week touring around Germany, and realize most things will be closed Christmas Day. Every morning the kids run to their advent calendar eager to discover what is behind the next door. Origin and History of Christmas in Germany. This is only seen as some kind of add-on in Germany, and "not really Christmas".It is also a free day for almost everyone and people are in a festive mood. Our ADVENT CALENDAR begins on December 1! Often, children dressed as the Magi go from house to house and sing songs (hence the term Sternsinger, or ‘star singer’) requesting donations towards various children’s causes. Week. The celebration of Christmas in Nazi Germany was allowed, though it included attempts by the regime to bring the Christian religious holiday into line with Nazi ideology.The Jewish origins of Jesus and the commemoration of his birth as the Jewish Messiah was troubling for some members of the Nazi group and their racial beliefs. Situated at Altmarkt Square in the historical city center, it’s surrounded by various themed holiday markets that span all the way to the main railway station and the Albertplatz. On the 24th (Christmas Eve), most Germans work a half day and shops are open until the early afternoon. Usually, before or after unwrapping Christmas gifts, German families gather around the Christmas tree, wish each other Merry Christmas (Frohe Weihnachten), and sing traditional German Christmas songs, such as ‘O Tannenbaum’, ‘Stille Nacht’, and ‘Kling Glöckchen’. In parts of Germany, it has its own local customs. Behind each door is a drawing, saying, or small Christmassy picture. The festive season is started with the Advent celebrations in preparation to the arrival of baby Jesus on Christmas day. Pretty much every German city has at least one Christmas market along with a massive Christmas tree on one of the main squares in the city. The advent season marks the four Sundays in December. It is believed that Christmas originated some 4000 years ago even before the birth of Christ to welcome the changes in nature. Our Facts about the Bahamas will provide 35 fun and interesting facts about the Caribbean island. In the UK, Christmas Day became a bank holiday in 1834. On the 6th of January, children and teenagers, dressed as the 'Three Wise Men', will go from house to house to sing carols, pray and 'bless' the houses and to collect money for a good cause. On the 24th (Christmas Eve), most Germans work a half day and shops are open until the early afternoon. This time is devoted to preparations for Christmas. During the 4th Century A.D., Bishop Nicolas of Smyrna was known to be very generous to the poor, especially to children. By High-speed Rail (ICE) it takes less than 2,5 hours from Frankfurt/Frankfurt Airport to Nuremberg. Christmas markets and stalls sell traditional German delicatessen such as Christmas stollen, hot and sticky sweet roasted almonds, 'Lebkuchen' hearts (gingerbread hearts) and other Christmas sweets as well as typical Christmas decorations can be found in many towns. We scout for highly-rated, modern, and simple German services so expats can make an informed decision. However, if a German holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday doesn’t typically transfer to a weekday. Answer 1 of 3: I will be spending Christmas in Europe and I am trying to figure out the best city to be in for Christmas eve and Christmas day as I know a lot of places will be closed. Tradition has it that on the evening of December 5th, before children go to bed, they clean and polish their winter boots and place them in front of their closed room door together with a wish list. It is celebrated every year on the 6th of December. But for the following Twelve Days of Christmas, people in some parts of Germany beat drums to drive off spirits. Share our info with your family, friends and students. German Advent Calendar: Facts of the Day Der German-Way-Adventskalender. The German festive season starts at the end of November or early Stuttgart. Most people celebrate with present giving, mistletoe and caroling around the house or neighborhood. Traditionally, every home has a decorative advent wreath (Adventskranz) with four candles. It is also worth mentioning that part of the anticipation leading up to Christmas is marked by the candy-filled advent calendars, which are hung in most German homes at the start of this liturgical season. The Three Kings Day, better known as Epiphany, is 6 January, the day after the 12 days of Christmas. Visit the most popular Christmas Market in Germany: Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg. Usually this is a merry and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family and Christmas carols are sung. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), December 24th. The season lasts until Three … These days, Germans usually visit other parts of the family or dine out.