Christmas in Germany: Traditions, Advent, Markets and Holiday Breaks

Christmas in Germany (Weihnachten) is the main winter family celebration, around which Advent, Christmas markets, decorating the home, gifts and festive meals are organised. For tourists, it is a season of lights and Weihnachtsmärkte; for people living in Germany, it is also a period when shops, schools, offices and transport operate on special schedules.

Key dates and public holidays

In Germany, 25 December (Erster Weihnachtstag) and 26 December (Zweiter Weihnachtstag) are nationwide public holidays. 24 December, Heiligabend or Christmas Eve, is not usually considered a full public holiday, but for many families the main celebration begins on the evening of 24 December: dinner, gifts and time with loved ones.

Several practical points are worth remembering:

• On 24 December, shops often close earlier than usual; under the federal Shop Closing Act, ordinary retail outlets are restricted after 14:00 if the day falls on a working day, although individual states and types of retail may have their own rules and exceptions.
• On 25 and 26 December, most shops are closed, while museums, restaurants and transport may run on holiday timetables.
• 31 December is also often a shortened day for offices and shops, but that is not Christmas: it is preparation for the New Year.

For a trip or a move to a new city, it is best to buy groceries in advance, check transport schedules and avoid leaving everyday tasks until the final hours before the holiday.

Advent: waiting for Christmas

Advent is the period of waiting for Christmas. In everyday life, it begins in the first days of December, but in church tradition it is counted from the four Sundays before Christmas. This is when homes acquire wreaths, calendars, candles, Christmas sweets and the first gifts.

Adventskranz: a wreath with four candles

Adventskranz is a conifer wreath with four candles. On each Sunday of Advent, one more candle is lit: first one, then two, then three, and all four on the final Sunday.

Adventskranz — a conifer wreath

Modern wreaths are not made only from fir branches. Shops and markets offer arrangements with pine cones, dried oranges, baubles, ribbons, wooden figurines and electric candles. Families with small children or pets often choose safe options without an open flame.

The history of the Adventskranz is usually associated with Hamburg pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern, who used candles in the 19th century to help children in an orphanage count the days until Christmas. Over time, the large construction became the familiar wreath with four candles.

Adventskalender: a calendar to 24 December

Adventskalender helps children and adults count the days until Christmas Eve. The classic version is opened from 1 to 24 December: each window contains chocolate, a sweet, a small toy, cosmetics, tea, spices or a note with a task.

An Advent calendar is also a decoration

Calendars go on sale well before December, so shops already offer a selection in autumn. But many families make them themselves from little bags, boxes, envelopes or small parcels on a ribbon.

Christmas markets

Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) open in different cities from late November or the beginning of Advent. The exact dates vary each year, so check the city or market organiser’s website before travelling.

Markets usually sell:

• Christmas tree ornaments, candles, ceramics and wooden decorations;
• sweets, Lebkuchen, roasted almonds, marzipan and biscuits;
• hot drinks: Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, Eierpunsch;
• seasonal food: sausages, chestnuts, soups and potato dishes;
• craft goods from the regions, such as products from the Ore Mountains.

A Christmas market in Germany is full of stalls with treats

Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt are often named among the best-known destinations. At the same time, small towns can offer a more intimate atmosphere: fewer crowds, more local crafts and easier walks with children.

Christmas tree: Christbaum or Tannenbaum

A Christmas tree in Germany may be called a Christbaum or Tannenbaum. Traditionally, it is put up closer to Christmas Eve, although many families bring out artificial trees and some decorations earlier, during Advent.

The tree is decorated with baubles, garlands, candles or electric lights, figurines, stars, angels and sometimes edible decorations such as biscuits, nuts and chocolate. In cities, large trees are placed in squares, by town halls, in shopping centres and at markets.

The exact price of a real tree depends on the region, species, height and season, so it is more reliable to check current offers from local sellers. Trees are bought outside supermarkets, at temporary sales points, in garden centres and online.

Decorations at home and around the city

German homes in December are often decorated not with just one tree, but with a whole collection of small details: wreaths, lamps, figurines, candles, conifer branches and window decorations.

Windows in a German hotel decorated with reindeer for Christmas

For façades and windows, people use:

• garlands and illuminated figures;
• wreaths on doors;
• wooden houses and silhouettes on windowsills;
• stickers and paper snowflakes;
• Christmas stars and lanterns.

How Germans decorate building façades for winter holidays

Schwibbogen

Schwibbogen is a luminous arch particularly characteristic of Saxony and the Ore Mountains. It is placed on the windowsill so that its warm light can be seen from the street. Historically, the image is associated with mining culture: light in the window symbolised coming home and longing for daylight during the dark winter season.

Schwibbogen — an arch of candles in the window

Weihnachtskrippe and Weihnachtsstern

Weihnachtskrippe is a nativity scene with a manger, Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus and other figures. It is displayed in churches, town squares, shop windows and homes.

A model of Jesus’ manger — a German Christmas tradition

Weihnachtsstern, or poinsettia, is another popular December symbol. This plant with bright red leaves is often placed beside a wreath, on a table or by a window.

Christmas houseplants — Weihnachtsstern

Nikolaus, Weihnachtsmann and gifts

On 6 December, children in Germany await Nikolaus. On the evening of 5 December, they leave a polished boot, sock or small bag by the door and find sweets, mandarins, nuts and small presents in the morning.

Saint Nikolaus — not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann!

Nikolaus is not the same as Weihnachtsmann. Nikolaus is associated with 6 December, while Weihnachtsmann comes during the Christmas season and in modern culture is closer to Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

The main exchange of gifts in many families takes place on the evening of 24 December. People give books, games, clothing, tickets for events, gift certificates and useful items. gift cards remain a popular option because they allow the recipient to choose what they need.

Glühwein: German mulled wine

Glühwein is a hot spiced drink made from wine, sugar or honey, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, anise, cardamom, nutmeg and citrus peel. There is red and white Glühwein; when it is made from white wine, this is usually stated on the label or menu.

German Glühwein at Christmas

Under EU rules, the minimum actual alcoholic strength for the Glühwein category is 7% by volume. The upper limit for flavoured wine-based drinks as a category is 14.5% by volume. Markets also sell non-alcoholic options: Kinderpunsch, fruit punches and hot spiced juice.

The exact price of a mug at a market or a bottle in a shop depends on the city, the mug deposit (Pfand), the quality of the drink and the season. It is therefore better not to rely on old prices in articles, but to check the menu of the specific market.

The Christmas table

Christmas menus in Germany vary by region and family. Some have a simple Christmas Eve meal such as potato salad with sausages, while others serve goose, duck, turkey, carp, dumplings, sauces, cheese, salads and Sauerkraut.

Kartoffelsalat and Sauerkraut

Kartoffelsalat is prepared in different ways: with pickled cucumbers, onion, herbs, a broth or mayonnaise dressing, and sometimes bacon or sausages. It is a practical dish that can be prepared in advance.

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, served with sausages, pork, pork knuckle, ribs or as a side dish for meat. German recipes often include caraway seeds, bay leaves, onions and juniper berries.

Stollen, Lebkuchen and other sweets

Christmas baking includes Stollen, Lebkuchen, Plätzchen, vanilla crescents, biscuits with cinnamon and nuts. Stollen is often baked in advance so it has time to “mature” before the holiday.

Some families make puddings and desserts with dried fruit, nuts and alcohol, but this is not a universal rule throughout Germany. A modern Christmas table more often reflects family habit, region and the hosts’ tastes than one strict, universal canon.

What newcomers and tourists should know

• It is best to shop and book in advance: from 24 to 26 December, many places have limited hours or are closed.
• Check the schedules of markets, museums and transport for the specific city.
• In smaller towns, holiday markets may close earlier than in major tourist centres.
• If you visit a market with children, look for Kinderpunsch and carousel areas, but bear evening crowds in mind.
• Reserve a restaurant early for dinner on 24 December: some establishments are closed and popular places fill up quickly.

Christmas in Germany combines religious motifs, family traditions and urban festive culture. Even if you do not celebrate Weihnachten as a religious holiday, Advent, markets, lights and quiet family evenings help explain why December holds such an important place in the German calendar.