Christmas in Germany

Celebrating Christmas in Germany

Almost every German city celebrates the holiday season with a traditional Christmas market. The fairs, which date back to the 14th century, originally provided food and practical supplies for the cold winter season, but soon the markets became a beloved holiday tradition and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Guide to German Christmas Markets
Best Christmas Markets in Germany
Photo Gallery of German Christmas Markets

The month of December is packed with winter festivals and holiday events that will get you into the Christmas spirit in no time. Here is an overview of what's happening in December 2009 in Germany.

Events in December

A great treat for cold winter days is mulled wine, a traditional Christmas drink from Germany. This hot, spiced wine, is called Glühwein in German (literally "glowing wine"); you can get it at every German Christmas market or make your own with my recipe for German mulled wine

German Stollen, a loaf-shaped fruitcake made of yeast, water and flour, is traditionally eaten around Christmas time in Germany. The treat, which was first baked in Dresden in the 14th century, is filled with nuts, raisins, candied citrus, and spices, and its form is said to represent Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes.

Many Germans celebrate the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas with a lighted Advent wreath; every Sunday in December, a new candle on the wreath is lit, and many families sing Christmas carols and eat cookies or a piece of Christmas Stollen.

If you are spending December 6th in Germany, make sure to leave your shoes outside the door - Santa Claus, called Nikolaus or Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man"), will come this evening to fill your shoes with sweets, oranges, walnuts, cookies, and small santa claus figurines made out of chocolate.

The custom of putting up a decorated and illuminated Christmas tree originated in the 16th century in Germany. Back then, small firs were decorated with apples, nuts, and paper flowers on December 24th, and legend has it that church reformist Martin Luther was the first to put candles on his Christmas tree.

One evening, on his way back home, Luther admired the moonlit tipped trees. He wanted to recreate that magic moment for his family at home, so he put small wax candles on the Christmas firs in his living-room.

The highlight of the holiday season in Germany is the Holy Eve on December 24th; shops and offices close early that day (around noon or 2 pm), the Christmas tree at home will be illuminated, presents are opened, and many people visit a Christmas mass.

December 25th and 26th are both federal holidays; shops and offices are closed, and families concentrate on the more important things in life; visiting friends, relaxing, watching a Christmas movie, and eating hearty food.