Christmas in Germany isn’t just a holiday - it’s a season.
From lighting the first candle on the Adventskranz to gathering with family on December 25th and 26th, German Christmas traditions create one of the coziest, warmest, and most meaningful cultural experiences of the year.
This guide walks you through the full Christmas timeline in Germany, explaining each tradition, ritual, and celebration so you can experience Weihnachten like a local.
1. Advent: The Beginning of the Christmas Season
What is Advent?
Advent is the four-week period leading up to Christmas.
It marks anticipation, preparation, and reflection.
1.1 Adventskranz (Advent Wreath)
The symbol of German Advent
A round wreath decorated with:
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four candles
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fir branches
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ribbons
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seasonal ornaments
What Germans do
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Light one candle each Sunday before Christmas
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Spend quiet time with family
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Drink tea or Glühwein
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Enjoy homemade cookies (Plätzchen)
The wreath sets the atmosphere for the entire holiday season.
1.2 Adventskalender (Advent Calendar)
Daily excitement from Dec 1-24
Children and adults use calendars filled with:
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chocolate
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small gifts
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tea bags
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beauty items
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little notes
Every morning begins with a tiny surprise.
Creative calendars
Modern versions include:
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beer calendars
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cheese calendars
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puzzle calendars
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reusable fabric calendars
2. Weihnachtsmärkte: The Heart of German Christmas
Traditional markets across the country
From mid-November to Christmas, towns host Weihnachtsmärkte with:
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wooden stalls
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Glühwein (mulled wine)
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roasted almonds
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Bratwurst
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handmade crafts
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twinkling lights
Famous markets:
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Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
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Dresden Striezelmarkt
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Cologne Cathedral Market
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Munich Marienplatz Market
What locals do
Meet friends after work, stroll, sip warm drinks, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
3. St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag) - December 6
A beloved children’s tradition
On the evening of Dec 5, kids clean their shoes and place them outside their door.
By morning, St. Nicholas fills them with:
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chocolate
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nuts
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oranges
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small gifts
In some regions, Nikolaus visits schools and homes to talk with children.
4. Christmas Baking: Plätzchen Season
Germany’s most delicious holiday ritual
Families bake:
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butter cookies
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cinnamon stars (Zimtsterne)
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vanilla crescents (Vanillekipferl)
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gingerbread (Lebkuchen)
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Spritzgebäck
Baking is often done with children, creating warm, lasting memories.
5. Christmas Tree Tradition (Weihnachtsbaum)
When do Germans put up the tree?
Many families set up the tree:
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on the 4th Sunday of Advent
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or on December 24th itself (a very German tradition)
Decoration style
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real candles (traditional, but less common today)
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electric lights
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glass ornaments
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straw stars
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red-and-gold color themes
The tree is central to the Christmas Eve celebration.
6. Heiligabend (December 24): The Main Celebration
In Germany, December 24th, not the 25th, is the most important day of Christmas.
6.1 Afternoon: Final Preparations
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finishing decorations
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wrapping last gifts
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preparing food
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attending church services
6.2 Evening: Bescherung (Gift Giving)
When gifts are exchanged
Around 5-7 PM, families gather in the living room.
The Christmas tree lights are turned on, music plays, and Bescherung begins.
Who brings the gifts?
Depends on the region:
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Christkind (South and Southwest)
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Weihnachtsmann (North and East)
6.3 Christmas Eve Dinner
Traditional meals include:
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potato salad & sausages
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raclette
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fondue
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fish dishes
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simple, cozy food
Many families save the large feast for December 25.
7. Christmas Day (December 25)
A day for family and feasting
This is the main holiday meal day.
Typical dishes
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roast goose (Gänsebraten)
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red cabbage (Rotkohl)
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dumplings (Knödel)
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fish dishes
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festive desserts
It’s a relaxed, quiet family day - stores are closed, streets calm.
8. Second Christmas Day (December 26)
What is it?
Known as 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag or Boxing Day, it’s another public holiday.
How Germans celebrate
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visiting extended family
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big lunches
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long walks (Spaziergänge)
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resting after the busy season
For many, December 26 feels like the true “wind-down” day.
9. End-of-Season Traditions
Between Christmas and New Year
This quiet week (zwischen den Jahren) includes:
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reflective walks
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leftover feasts
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visiting relatives
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attending concerts or church
Raclette & Fondue Season
These cozy meals continue until New Year’s Eve.
10. Essential Christmas Vocabulary
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Adventskranz → Advent wreath
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Adventskalender → Advent calendar
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Weihnachtsmarkt → Christmas market
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Nikolaus → St. Nicholas
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Plätzchen → Christmas cookies
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Weihnachtsbaum → Christmas tree
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Heiligabend → Christmas Eve
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Bescherung → gift exchange
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Gänsebraten → roast goose
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2. Weihnachtsfeiertag → December 26
Final Thoughts
German Christmas is warm, calm, and full of tradition.
From the first Advent candle to the quiet walks on December 26th, every part of the season has meaning:
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anticipation
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family time
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cozy rituals
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festive food
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community celebrations
Understanding these traditions helps you experience Weihnachten like a true local - with warmth, reflection, and a sense of togetherness.
