How to Celebrate Christmas in Germany

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 23, 2021 References

While many parts of the world celebrate Christmas, traditions vary depending on where you are. If you're going to celebrate Christmas in Germany, there are plenty of unique ways to experience culture and enjoy time with family and friends. From visiting the local Christmas market to indulging in a Christmas feast, these traditions are the perfect way to experience the holiday in Deutschland.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Celebrating St. Nikolaus Day to Christmas Eve

1
Leave shoes out for Saint Nikolaus if you have children. Although Santa Claus is the face of Christmas in the West, Europeans give more attention to St. Nikolaus Day on December 6th. Also also known as the bringer of gifts, children leave their shoes outside of their bedroom doors for treats on the evening of December 5th.^{[1]
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Research source} Much like stockings, you can stuff them with small treats like chocolate candy coins, small toys, socks, Christmas ornaments, and prayer cards.^{[2]
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- If you consider yourself religious, you can attend Mass, liturgy, or worship services on the day of.
2
Sing around Christmas trees to bond with friends and family. In Germany, it is common to gather around evergreen trees (also known as a Tannenbaum) to sing the eponymous hymn—a German folk song sung as a Christmas carol.^{[3]
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Research source} It is believed to create feelings of >gemütlichkeit<, which is German for a state of coziness and cheers. Although it's usually practiced in homes, you can still join in the festivities at Christmas markets.
3
Participate in the Krampus Run if you're feeling brave. The scary, demonic anthropomorphic goat counterpart to Santa, Krampus is believed to come from pagan lore.^{[4]
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Research source} It is said that he runs around beating and eating children who don't behave. And during the Advent, the Krampus Run (also known as Krampuslaufe) takes place, where people dress up as the creature and run around town. This tradition is only common in southern parts of Germany, Austria, Slovenia and German-speaking counties of Northern Italy.
- Krampus costumes are defined by a two-horn mask and cost between 1800 and 2500 EUR (around 2240 to 3110 USD).^{[5]
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  Research source} You can find lower quality (but cheaper) costumes on Amazon and other online suppliers.
4
Visit Christmas markets to enjoy German culture. Starting in mid or late November, Christmas markets begin to pop up on the local squares.^{[6]
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Research source} Local craftspeople setup stands to sell baskets, toys, woodcarvings, and other unique products. You can also buy baked goods like almonds, nuts, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread.^{[7]
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- Christmas markets typically continue through the Advent and leading up to Christmas Eve.
- Popular locations include Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Stuttgart, Erfurt, Konstanz, and Freiburg.
- Traditional Christmas Markets are also located in smaller towns like Monschau (close to the Belgian border) or Soest in Westphalia. There are many traders, who offer traditional handcrafted articles. The majority of the markets offer mostly mulled wine with brandy and all kinds of grilled sausages or potato-pancakes.
5
Enjoy and experience different German foods and drinks. Fairs are a prime place to have some warm drinks and local food. Popular delicacies include sausages, Glühwein (mulled wine), gingerbread, and dried prunes.
- Stock up for the next few days—everything is closed on December 25th and 26th.
6
Decorate Christmas trees in anticipation for the holidays. Markets will have plenty of local crafts and decorations for sale. The most famous German decorations are glass ornaments, which are traditionally hand blown. However, you can find some that are made of wood or pewter.^{[8]
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- Other decorations include wooden nutcrackers, small candles with electric lights, and gingerbread houses.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Enjoying Christmas Eve

1
Open gifts on Christmas Eve with family. The gathering, eating, and gift exchanges that take place on Christmas Day in the West is enjoyed are Christmas Eve in Germany. Also known as Heiliger Abend, which means "holy evening," most offices and businesses close by the afternoon.
2
Eat Christmas carp with family and friends. Carp is typically eaten on Christmas Eve instead of meat. It is usually served with potato salad, fried potatoes, or boiled potatoes.
- Carp eating is still usual for people ,coming from Poland or south-east Europe. The majority prefers a luxury meal together with the family. A visit of an evening church attendance is tradition, especially late in the evening.^{[9]
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- If you're pescatarian, carp can be eaten on Christmas Day as well.
3
Indulge in Glühwein during social events. A common holiday drink is Glühwein, which is a spiced mulled wine that is sold everywhere during the season in Germany. But there's no better time to drink it than with your Christmas Eve dinner.
- If you have a penchant for stronger drinks, feuerzangen- bowle is a combination of warmed rum, wine, and spice that will do the trick. A big cone of sugar is placed over the pot with warmed-up wine (with spices and orange chunks), poured with rum(>50% Alc.by volume). The rum will be inflamed. The burning sugar cone will melt and drop into the hot wine. This drink will warm up You, but a bit too much will cause a severe headache next day.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Experiencing Christmas Day and Beyond

1
Enjoy a Christmas feast to experience German delicacy. While roast goose is the traditional Christmas Day meal, you can also enjoy a turkey, venison, or rabbit. The sides are typically dumplings, boiled potatoes, and apple stuffing.
- Glühwein is served for drinks and dessert is usually in the form of stollen—a traditional German fruit bread eaten during the Christmas season. It is made of nuts, spices, and dried or candied fruit, and is topped with powered or icing sugar.
2
Explore the Christmas markets for last-minute experiences. Many of the festivities from Christmas Eve spill over into the next day. Take the chance to experience interesting activities before they come to an end. However, make sure to double-check which events and locations are still open, as it is a holiday.
3
Spend time with family if you don't feel like hitting the town. If you just want to relax, Christmas Day can be a quiet time for resting up from celebrations and preparing for winter sales on December 27th (also known as the third day of Christmas). You can still enjoy yourself inside by indulging in seasonal food, board games, and television.
4
Celebrate Three Kings Day to mark the end of the holidays. Also known as "Dreikönigstag" or "Feast of the Epiphany," this January 6th holiday marks the 12th day following the birth of Christ. If you're religious, attend a Three Kings Day church service.
- On Epiphany Eve (January 5th), try the special German special beer called bockbier, which is stronger in taste and alcohol percentage than standard beer.
- From December 27th to January 6th, children go door-to-door dressed as the three wise men and sing hymns. If you donate to them, all money goes to charity. People who give a donation, will get the chalk-written > C-M-B< (plus the year) mark on the door : means >Christus mansionem beneficat< = Christus may bless the house. The common people interpreted the letters C-M-B to : Casper, Melchior ans Balthasar, the names of the wise men.

Community Q&A

Question

What do I do to send Christmas cheer to a German visitor in America?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

Christmas greetings cards of the more traditional type would go down well with most people, whatever their nationalities. For a German visitor, write "‎Fröhliche Weihnachten" in the card. A German visitor may be cheered at Christmas by being invited to take part in what a typical American family does. Christmas gifts spread cheer, so consider giving your visitor a gift.
Question

What is appropriate to wear to Christmas Eve mass?

Demi Lavapies

Community Answer

You can wear a simple, elegant and modest dress that is festive but not flashy.
Question

Our visitor to the orchestra comes from Germany, so what do we have for traditions?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

Place candles and gingerbread out for decorations and food. And I think the cuckoo clock on our mantelpiece in our room does the trick, so maybe you could have one too.
Question

Who is the traditional gift bringer in Germany? Is it Santa or the Christ child?

Trickyniki

Community Answer

Both of them; it varies from family to family. When the presents are placed under the Xmas Tree behind the closed parlor door, the sound of a small bell will be the sign for the children to come in to the presents, brought by Christ Child or Father Christmas. Santa, the same person, brings gifts on Dec 5th evening. In Holland it is more celebrated than Xmas.
Question

Do I stay up till Midnight and open presents or do I fall asleep on Christmas Eve?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

It is best to fall asleep on Christmas Eve while waiting for the Christmas angel or Christkind to leave presents under the tree.
Question

On which day do I open the doors of my Advent calendar?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

You would open to doors of an Advent calendar every day throughout the month of December until Christmas Eve.