I have connected with our staff and consultants to collect some of our favorite German holiday traditions to share with you. I am enjoying the glow of Christmas brightening up the dark, rainy fall days here in the North. My house is a buzz in anticipation of gifts, vacation days, and visits from family and friends. At school, the witchel has visited my kids’ classrooms and set up his home for the next month. I myself am looking forward to meeting a girlfriend after work at a Glühwein stand and visiting new Christmas Markets.
Advent Season
Adventszeit, or the Advent season, is a festive period in the weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. This year’s Advent season begins on Sunday, 1. December. Germans celebrate Christmas on 24. December known as Heiligabend. Many firms and businesses will be closed or have reduced operation hours on the 24th. The 25th and 26th are referred to as the first and second Christmas day-most businesses-though restaurants and hotels can be an exception-are closed on these days.
Advent Calendar
A cherished traditions is the Advent calendar. Starting on December 1st, these calendars feature 24 small doors, each hiding a sweet treat or small gift. For little ones (and many adults), opening a door each day is a delightful way to countdown to Christmas. Many families create personalized calendars for their loved ones, and it’s a wonderful opportunity for expats to join in and share this sweet tradition with friends and family back home. I send ones to my nieces and nephews back home rather than a gift to open up on Christmas day. I will set up calendars at home on Saturday evening for the next morning.
Advent Wreath
Another lovely custom is the Advent wreath or Adventskranz, adorned with four candles. Families gather each Sunday during Advent to light one additional candle, in many homes this will be accompanied by prayers and songs. The warm glow of the candles creates an inviting atmosphere in homes across Germany, making it a perfect time for cozy gatherings with loved ones. We light our wreath at dinner every day and during the weekend at breakfast as well. Alongside the Adventskranz¸ many families display beautiful wooden Christmas pyramids adorned with mini wooden figures and the air is tinged with the smells of fir and pine courtesy of a Räuchermann, a wooden figure who smokes a pipe. There are endless possibilities in terms of the style-they can be crafted to look like Santa Claus. Our favourites are the carollers who look like they are singing sweet scented notes.
Christmas Markets
No conversation about German holiday traditions is complete without mentioning the famous Christmas markets, Weihnachtsmärkte. Throughout the Advent season, towns and cities are adorned with festive lights and stalls selling handmade crafts, delicious food, and, of course, mulled wine (Glühwein). Visiting these markets is a quintessential part of the Advent experience, allowing expats and locals alike-to immerse themselves in local customs while enjoying hearty German treats like Lebkuchen (gingerbread), bratwurst, and roasted chestnuts.
I will share the recipe we use at home next week if you want to try your hand at making your own Glühwein.
Wichtel
Alongside Advent traditions, many German homes are visited by a Wichtel. These mythical beings are often portrayed as little helpers who bring delight during the festive season. A Wichtel can be compared to holiday elves in other cultures and play a special role in bringing joy to children and families. These cheerful little figures often emerge around the beginning of Advent, adding to the holiday spirit and reminding everyone, especially children, that joy is just around the corner. Wichtels tend to be mischievous and create chaos around the house with a Wichtelstreich.
Other traditions include backing cookies referred to as Plätzchen. This style of cookie has roots in medieval times and was typically made from flour, nuts, butter. Others prefer backing Spekulatius Cookies. which are often referred to as spicy Christmas cookies due to a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger and cardamom.
Holiday traditions vary throughout the various regions of Germany
In Northern Germany, particularly in coastal towns, you’ll find a blend of traditional Christmas customs influenced by maritime culture. The North is known for its beautiful Christmas markets, where you might find stalls selling fresh fish and traditional Northern German treats such as Grünkohl (kale). St. Nicholas Day, Nikolaustag: Celebrated on December 6th, children place their boots outside their doors, hoping St. Nicholas would fill them with sweets and small gifts. This tradition is particularly strong in the North. On this day, many children participate in a Nikolauslauf associated with the celebration of St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Children may opt to dress like the jolly old elf himself and recite a silly poem in shops to receive a sweat festive treat. Heiligabend (Christmas Eve): In many Northern households, families gather for a festive meal that often includes Karpfen (carp), especially on Christmas Eve.
Eastern Germany, with its rich cultural heritage, has distinct traditions, especially in regions like Saxony and Brandenburg. The Christmas markets here are particularly famous, with Dresden’s Striezelmarkt being one of the oldest in Germany, dating back to 1434. Here, you can find the iconic Dresden Stollen, a traditional Christmas cake. In some areas, it’s customary to exchange small wishing wafers, symbolizing goodwill and blessings for the coming year. This tradition varies, but reflects the region’s agricultural roots.
Southern Germany, especially Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, is steeped in deeply rooted traditions that celebrate both the religious and folkloric elements of the season. In many Southern regions, the Christkind (Christ Child) delivers presents on Christmas Eve instead of Santa Claus. This figure is often portrayed as a young child with wings, serving as a messenger of Christmas. The Advent season is particularly celebrated with various baking traditions such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Plätzchen (Christmas cookies). Bavarian families often partake in festive Advent activities, including music and local Christmas plays.
In Western Germany, particularly in regions like Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, holiday traditions can have a strong local flavor shaped by both agricultural and urban influences. While not strictly a Christmas tradition, the carnival season leading up to Lent is hugely significant in regions like Cologne. The celebrations blend festive spirit during the Christmas season with an exuberant pre-Lenten carnival. The Christmas markets are known for their cozy ambiance and often serve delicious local mulled wine variants. While this can be found throughout Germany, certain Western states have unique recipes, often with local spices and fruits. The central regions, such as Hesse and Thuringia, have unique traditions tied to their cultural heritage. In Thuringia, you might find the tradition of Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) decoration taking a central role earlier in December. The tree is often adorned with handmade decorations, reflecting the region’s craftsmanship. Many communities hold local folk plays and Christmas cantatas during Advent, showcasing local dialects and traditions, providing insight into their unique histories.
No matter where you are celebrating, Local Worldwide wishes our partners and clients a magical Adventszeit.