St. Nicholas Day
St Nicholas Day, known as Nikolaustag in Germany, is celebrated on the 6th of December. Children leave a pair of cleaned boots outside their door on the evening of the 5th. The boots are then filled with sweets and small gifts. According to legend, Nicholas of Myra gave a poor father money in order to prevent his daughters from being taken into slavery, as the father did not have the funds for his daughters’ dowries. He threw the money through the family’s window, which landed in their shoes, which were drying near their fireplace.
Advent
Advent is celebrated on the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It is a Christian tradition to prepare for the arrival or coming of Jesus Christ.
The first Advent is the first Sunday after 26 November.
Advent wreaths have four large candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent and one candle is lit each Sunday. Families spend some quiet and reflective time together and sing Christmas carols. Drinking and eating typical Christmas food like Stollen, Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted almonds and chestnuts
The first candle represents Hope, the second Faith, the third Joy and the final candle Peace.
Advent Calendar
The Advent calendar counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Every day a new door of the calendar is opened to reveal a small chocolate or a gift. Originally they concealed a picture or bible verse.
Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum)
The first known Christmas tree was set up in 1419 in Freiburg by the town bakers They decorated the tree with fruits, nuts, and baked goods, which the children were allowed to remove and eat on New Year’s Day.
In Germany, you set up and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. It is traditional to use a real fir tree. The tree is taken down in January and there are specific days for disposal
Christmas markets
Most town squares transform into beautiful Christmas markets. Traditionally there will be a big Christmas tree and Nativity scene (Krippe). Additionally, there are where you can buy delicious food, warm drinks and handmade gifts. It is a wonderful place to meet up with friends for some Glühwein while listening to carol singers
Christmas Markets
Visiting Christmas markets in Germany is a delightful way of celebrating the festive season. The heavy scent of sweets, fried sausage and warm wine welcome you to a variety of Christmas delicacies. If you’re feeling a little chilly, grab a warm mug of Glühwein and catch up with friends. Not only are the markets a great place to socialize, but you can also pick up unique gifts, mouth-watering Christmas cookies, and Stollen. Not to mention, you’ll be able to kit yourself out for the winter with cosy woollen gloves and beanie hats. We complied this list from our own experiences as well as the recommendations from members of our Facebook group. You are welcome to contact us if you want to add to the list When do the Chrismas markets open Generally, most Christmas markets in Germany begin at the start of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, typically in late November.Another common starting date is the Monday after “Totensonntag”.The markets usually run until Christmas Eve or sometimes a few days after. Where to find Christmas Markets In larger cities, you’ll often find several Christmas markets scattered across different neighbourhoods, each offering its own unique atmosphere. Smaller towns, however, typically host one main market, where the cosy charm and close-knit community spirit truly shine, making it a magical experience for visitors. Map Please note that some listings on the map only indicate the city, so be sure to confirm the exact address of the Christmas market before planning your visit. Baden-Württemberg Altensteiger Altstadt-Weihnachtsmarkt Baden-Badens Christmas market is open after Christmas till 6 January and it was pretty awesome, I found different stalls compared to other Christmas markets and last year they had a Nativity Austellung from around the world (not sure if it is an annual thing) that was pretty awesome Biberach Christkindlmarkt. Calw Esslingen – Der Esslinger Mittelaltermarkt & Weihnachtsmarkt is a Medieval Christmas market close to Stuttgart. Watch a video here Freiburg Gengenbacher Adventsmarkt – Die Fenster des größten Adventskalenderhauses der Welt Hohenzollern Castle – as of 2021 they do not have a Christmas market but a Royal winter magic event The Christkindlmarkt in Durlach Karlsruhe is also nice Konstanzer Weihnachstmarkt direkt am Bodensee Ludwigsburg – Ludwigsburger Barock Weihnachtsmarkt. Watch a video here Ravenna Schlucht Christmas Market in the Hochschwarzwald Tubingen Market is excellent for chocolates Stuttgart – Spread over a large area around Schlossplatz Ulm is famous for having the church with the highest church tower. They have a lovely Christmas market in front of the church. Zavelsteiner Burgweihnacht Ravenna Schlucht The market is nestled beneath the towering arches of the Ravenna Viaduct, a historic railway bridge. The dramatic backdrop, surrounded by dense pine forests and snow-dusted hills, creates a fairytale-like atmosphere. More info Bayern Kuchlbauers Turmweihnacht in Abensberg, it is one of the best I’ve ever been to. An outdoor and indoor market. The indoor one is underground and probably has a lot of SA Market-style goodies. Not often seen at Markets here. Not sure how the indoor one will work this year, but the vibe was magically around the Turm. Only an hour and a bit North of Munich. Here is an additional link The Augsburg Christmas market is very special! On the evening of the opening in November, the Mayor addresses the public from the Rathaus, and ‘angels’ blow trumpets from the Rathaus’ balconies. The music at the opening is spectacular! Also, the food and the vibe are exceptional. Dampfknödel Mohn and with warm Vanillesauce for example. Lots of gorgeous warm spiced drinks. A feast for the eyes too! Eging am See – Pullman city has a German American Christmas market –deutsch-amerikanischer-weihnachtsmarkt Kempten, Füssen and Bad Tölz also have a great Christmas market There’s a lovely medieval Christmas market at Landsberg am Lech. Lindau – looking out on the Bodensee Munich and in particular the Münchner Christkindlmarkt with the Kripperlmarkt in front of St Michael’s Church. Nürnberg. The biggest and most famous Christmas market in Germany. A girl from Nuremberg is traditionally elected for two years to represent the Christkindlesmarkt. Watch a video here Neu-Ulm – Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt Regensburg – Romantic Christmas Market at the Thurn und Taxis Castle Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Rothenburg´s Reiterlesmarkt is among the oldest Christmas markets with the tradition dating back over 500 years Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Brandenburg Berlin. There are more than 80 markets in Berlin. Watch a video here Weihnachtsmarkt am Schloss Charlottenburg Bremen Hamburg Hessen Frankfurt has a 33 meter high Christmas tree. Watch a video here Michelstadt – Medieval Christmas Market Rüdesheim am Rhein is nice Seligenstadt Sternschnuppen Markt Wiesbaden Sababurg Zoo Medieval Christmas Market The Sababurg Zoo is home to reindeer—making it the perfect spot for a Christmas market! Once a year, the zoo hosts a large Christmas market. In a setting where visitors can see reindeer, as well as wolves, deer, horses, turtles, and birds of prey, market stalls feature blacksmithing, pottery, and woodworking. There are also knights, medieval music, and fire shows to enjoy. More info Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schweriner Weihnachtsmarkt Niedersachsen Hameln Weihnachtszauber Schloss Bückeburg, north of Bielefeld Weihnachtswald Goslar The old town of Goslar, home to over 1,500 half-timbered houses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the heart of it all, at Schuhhof, the Christmas Forest will return this year. Rows of fir trees from the Harz region are adorned with 160,000 lights, while visitors can enjoy handcrafted goods and a variety of sweet and savory treats. More info Nordrhein-Westfalen Aachen is also a treat and worth picking up an extra packet of the famous biscuits from the main bakery in the old town. The Christmas market in Aachen was fantastic. Mülheim an der Ruhr had an awesome medieval market at Schloß Broich and a small “Nikolaus Markt” in their Altstadt Bochum has lovely decorations around and downtown there is a children’s area to listen to stories and then the highlight is when Santa flies across between the buildings on a cable – very cool. Bonn has various Christmas markets Cologne has various Christmas markets Dortmund has the tallest Christmas tree in Germany, a full 45 meters, and it is a fabulous experience to see when the lights are switched on. Drachenfels
Krippe
The nativity scene is called a Krippe. It is usually put up in homes, churches and Christmas markets.
You can buy the individual pieces at Christmas markets. Look for wooden hand made pieces
Weinachtspyramide
A wooden carousel with angels and a nativity scene. It has several levels and spins with the help of heat from candles. The larger ones you find at Christmas markets work with electricity
Nutcracker dolls
Nutcracker dolls originate from late-17th century Germany, particularly the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge) region.
The average handmade Nutcracker doll is made from 60 separate pieces and it takes a great deal of time and effort to bring them to life. Every detail of the doll is carefully crafted, from the hair to the clothes and everything in between.
They are made to resemble a toy soldier.
Traditional Nutcrackers were functional and used to crack nuts, modern ones are more decorative.
Schwibbogen
Also called a Lichterbogen, is a beautiful decorative arch originating from the Ore Mountains in Germany. The Schwibbogen is traditionally made of wood and features intricate cut-out designs, often depicting scenes from daily life or folklore. They are illuminated with candles or electric lights, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere.
They also hold cultural significance for the people of the Ore Mountains. The Schwibbogen is believed to symbolize a coal mine’s entrance, highlighting the region’s important mining history. Additionally, many Schwibbogen feature religious motifs, representing the Christian roots of the Ore Mountain communities.
Christmas Eve
Time to set up the tree, enjoy a simple meal with family and exchange gifts.
The traditional meal for the 24th consists of carp, boiled potatoes, cucumber salad and lemon slices. Another alternative is Sausages with potato salad
Christmas Day
Many families attend church services and sing traditional Christmas carols
A large meal is traditionally eaten in the afternoon or early evening.
Typical dishes include Roast goose or duck stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions or prunes. Dumplings and Red cabbage with onions and apples are served as side dishes.
German Christmas Recipes
Baking cookies for Christmas is what childhood memories are made of. We will list some websites here where you can find authentic Christmas recipes. Typical Christmas food Zimtsterne Pfeffernüsse Vanillekipferl
Traditional South African Christmas Recipes
A selection of traditional South African Christmas recipes. You are most welcome to share your recipes with us via the link below. Click here to submit your recipe Related content
Christmas Markets
Visiting Christmas markets in Germany is a delightful way of celebrating the festive season. The heavy scent of sweets, fried sausage and warm wine welcome you to a variety of
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