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The holiday season is filled with excitement and joy, but once the festivities are over and the New Year begins January can feel a bit quiet and dull. Don’t let the winter blues get to you—this is the perfect time to recharge and embrace the cosiness of the season. Stay warm by the glow of a crackling fireplace, enjoy hearty, comforting meals, and sip on hot beverages with loved ones. For those evenings spent alone, curl up with a good book or enjoy a soothing movie night under a soft blanket. While January might seem like a slow month, it’s also a great opportunity to stay active and social. You can explore local winter activities like ice skating, enjoy cosy get-togethers with friends, or simply embrace the peaceful beauty of the season. Check out our suggestions for making the most of January while enjoying all the charm that winter has to offer.

Time Zone

During Central European Time (CET) in winter, Germany is one hour behind South Africa. This time difference remains until the last Sunday in March when daylight saving time (Summertime) begins.

Season

Winter.

January in Germany is the height of winter, with short days, cold temperatures, and often snow, creating a quiet, serene atmosphere perfect for winter sports and cosy indoor activities.

Weather

January in Germany marks the heart of winter, with cold temperatures and shorter days. Snowfall is common, especially in the southern and eastern regions, creating a picturesque winter landscape. The average temperature ranges between -1°C and 3°C, with some areas experiencing even colder conditions.

Festivals

While January itself is relatively quiet on the festival front, the New Year celebrations kick off the month with flair.

New Year’s Eve Traditions
In Germany, New Year’s Eve (Silvester) is marked by long-standing traditions. Many enjoy a cosy evening at home or with friends, indulging in Raclette – a popular meal perfect for social gatherings. A unique cultural staple is watching Dinner for One, a British comedy sketch that has become an enduring part of German New Year’s festivities.

Celebrating Out and About
For those who prefer to go out, towns and cities often host concerts and fireworks displays to welcome the new year. Fireworks, sold for a short time leading up to New Year’s Eve, are a popular choice for personal celebrations. However, safety is paramount, as hospitals often see a spike in firework-related injuries during this time. 
Restaurants frequently offer special New Year’s menus, but be sure to book your table well in advance to secure a spot.

Learn More About German Traditions
If you’re curious about the customs and history behind German New Year celebrations, take a look at this Deutsche Welle article.

Fun Activities

Snow Info

Holidays and events

HolidayDateInfoStates
Public Holidays
New Year’s day
Neujahr
01 JanuaryAll
Epiphany
Heilige Drei Könige
06 JanuaryEpiphanyBW, BY, ST

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Grünkohl is a leafy, green vegetable that is often enjoyed during the colder months of the year. This delicious vegetable is typically served alongside a variety of hearty meats, including Speck, Wurst, or Kasseler. These savoury flavours come together to create a satisfying meal that is sure to warm you up from the inside out.

The chilly weather outside can be tough to deal with. One of the best ways to combat the cold is to indulge in some delicious and hearty food. You won’t regret giving Kohlroladen a try, if that doesn’t tantalize your taste buds, you can also opt for some warm and nourishing stews and soups. 

Savoy cabbage is, without a doubt, one of the most delectable vegetables that exist. When combined with the delightful taste of rich cream or tangy cheese, it becomes a dish that will undoubtedly tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.

Schlachtplatte is a traditional German dish that is beloved for its hearty, robust flavours and rustic charm. This flavorful meal is made using a combination of Leberwurst, Blutwurst, and Kesselfleisch, which are all sourced from high-quality ingredients and carefully prepared to ensure maximum flavour and tenderness. The dish is then served with a generous portion of Sauerkraut, which perfectly complements the rich flavours and textures of the meats. 

If you’re looking to tantalize your taste buds with a rich and satisfying meal, then there’s no better pairing for your venison than some beautifully cooked red cabbage. This perfect combination of sweet and savoury is sure to delight your senses, leaving you feeling completely satisfied. 

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Known as the “winter asparagus,” black salsify (Schwarzwurzel) is a versatile root vegetable that thrives in the colder months. Its dark, rough skin hides a creamy white interior with a mild, nutty flavour similar to parsnips or artichokes. Rich in nutrients like fibre, potassium, and iron, it’s a healthy addition to soups, gratins, or as a stand-alone side dish. Once peeled and cooked, its tender texture and delicate taste make it a winter favourite in German kitchens.

Fruit and veggies in season

Sources

Vocabulary

Winterder Winter
Snowder Schnee
Sleetder Graupel
Freezing Fogder Eisnebel
Sledgingdas Rodeln
Cross country skiingDer Langlauf
SkiingDas Skifahren
Venisondas Wildfleisch e.g. Das Hirschfleisch, das Rehkeule,  Das Wildschweinfleisch (Wild Boar)
Red Cabbageder Rothkohl, das Rotkraut, das Blaukraut
Savoy cabbageder Wirsing
Happy New Year!Guten Rutsch! – on New Year’s Eve
Happy New YearFrohes neues Jahr – on New Year’s Day
A peaceful and blessed new yearEin friedvolles und gesegnetes neues Jahr

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Besenwirtschaft

A different type of Gemütlichkeit awaits you at Besen. It is a wonderful way to meet up with friends. A Besenwirtschaft, also known as a Strausswirtschaft, Strausse, Besenschänke or just plain Besen, is a seasonal wine tavern popular in the wine growing areas of Germany. Most Besens are only open for a short period in late autumn and early winter. By law they can be open a maximum of 4 months. Some now open for a short period in summer as well, as they are allowed to split their opening periods in two. Many establishments will hang a broom outside the building to indicate that they are open. The Besen is usually run by the Winzer ( Winery/ Wine farm owner) an offers simple food served with wine from the Winery. The decoration is mostly simple, traditional and rustic, with long wooden tables and chairs. People usually share a table with other patrons, and the maximum capacity is 40 people. You can buy bottles of wine to take home. Dishes You can expect some of the following dishes at a Besen Schlachtplatte– Black sausage, boiled pork belly, liver sausage  and sauerkraut Kalsbsbratwürste with bread or Swabian potato salad, which is served at room temperature Kesselfleisch with Sauerkraut – Boiled pork belly and sauerkraut Griebenschmalzbrot – Bread with lard (cooked out pork fat) Liver dishes Bread with cheese Schinkenbrot – Bread with ham Maultaschen mit Kartoffelsalat – Schwabian ravioli with potato salad. Regional to Swabia Blaue Zipfel. Bratwurst cooked in vinegar and onions. Regional in Franconia Wurstsalat – Shredded cold meat salad Weck, Worscht un Woi – A bread roll, sausage and wine. Regional to the Rhenish Hesse and the Rheingau Drinks Only wine and distilled spirits are allowed to be served. Beer is not allowed Coffee can be served At least one non alcoholic beverage has to be offered. This does not include tap water Depending on the time of year you might find Most. Some also call it First wine as it is the first step in making wine. It is much sweeter than wine and is not filtered like grape juice. Federweiße can also be on offer in late summer. Federweiße is between most and wine. “The term Federweißer is fermented grape must that has not yet completed the fermentation process. For the production, the grapes are processed into must immediately after harvest. After that, the yeast starts its work and converts the sugar into alcohol. As soon as the alcohol content has reached 4 to 5%, the feather white is ready for the first tasting. It is characterized by the turbidity caused by the active yeasts. When pouring it creates a slight foam, the liquid pearls in the glass. The fresh spring white is fruity and tingles slightly on the tongue. It’s relatively sweet because the yeast has not yet completely broken down the sugar in the grape must. After a few days of storage at room temperature, it has a significantly tart taste, has a higher alcohol content and is more similar to a wine.” Dessert So far at all the Besens I’ve been to, dessert was always a piece of bread with home made jam and is called Gsälzbrot.  Gsälz is strawberry marmelade List of Besens with opening dates Besentermine Besen Straus

Going to the movies

Going to the movies It is always exciting to plan a visit to the movies! There are so many things to consider, like choosing the right movie theatre, picking a good movie to watch, buying the tickets in advance, and maybe even indulging in some delicious snacks at the concession stand. Going to the movies is a great opportunity to relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in a thrilling cinematic experience like no other.  It is a great way to spend time with friends and family when the weather outside is less than favourable The German word for a movie theatre is “das Kino”. At a Kino, you can view the latest movies and blockbusters. Although most movie theatres are modern with the latest technology,  there are still many classic Cinemas left where you can experience the charm of a world gone by. Many of these older Cinemas show art-house films or classic movies. Another great option if you want to experience something different,  is to visit an open-air Kino in the summer. Movie Programmes The following websites can be used to search for movies showing in your town. They provide a variety of options for searching and selecting movies based on language, genre, and theatre location.  Kino.de – Search by City Cinema Kinoprogramm Movie Theaters in Germany English or original language films Almost all movies are dubbed into German, but the cinemas also show movies in the original languages during specific times. To watch a movie in English or the original language look for the following codes in the program  OV – Original Version. No dubbing or subtitles OmU – Original mit Untertiteln or original with  German subtitles unless otherwise specified OmdU – Original with German Subtitles.  OmeU – Original with English Subtitles DF – Deutsche Fassung or German Version. Dubbed into German              Good to know You can book tickets online or buy them on-site.  You can book a specific seat when you buy your ticket online. Book long before the time to better your chances of booking your favourite seat. If there is no seat reservation, it will be marked as “freie Plazwahl” You can buy popcorn and drinks at most cinemas. Popcorn tends to be sweet and not savoury although some do offer a savoury option You can drink beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks inside the cinema Older cinemas still have breaks in between, and moviegoers can buy refreshments during the breaks. Ratings / Parental Guidance Parental guidance for movies in Germany is a crucial aspect that every parent must consider before allowing their kids to watch a movie. German authorities have put in place guidelines and rating systems such as FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft) to regulate the content of movies.  FSK 0 Suitable for all ages. These films are considered harmless for children and are often family-friendly. FSK 6 Suitable for children aged 6 and above. Films may contain mild violence or mild emotional distress. FSK 12 Suitable for children aged 12 and above. Films may contain moderate violence, mild horror, or mild sexual content. FSK 16 Suitable for teens aged 16 and above. Films may include stronger violence, horror, or sexual content. FSK 18 Suitable only for adults aged 18 and above. These films can contain explicit violence, horror, or sexual content and are intended for mature audiences. As a responsible parent, it is important to understand these guidelines and ensure that the movie your child watches is appropriate for their age and level of maturity. As a responsible parent, it is important to understand these guidelines and ensure that the movie your child watches is appropriate for their age and level of maturity. Film Festivals, Open-air, and art house cinemas List of German Film Festivals Festival Calendar  List of Open Air Kinos by Ortdienste Openair-Kino Fünf Seen Filmfestival Best arthouse cinemas in Berlin International Trickfilm Festival in Stuttgart Related content Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email

Weather in Germany

German Climate Germany’s climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers and in the south occasional warm föhn wind. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is oceanic and rain falls all year round. Winters here are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded. In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate that may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are cool and summers warm, though maximum temperatures can exceed 30 °C for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the southwest.Here summers can be hot with many days exceeding 30 °C. Weather atlas gives a good overview of the climate per month Another good source of information by Region/Town is the Climatemps website. Here is an example of the weather data they have for Stuttgart Current weather conditions BERLIN WEATHER STUTTGART WEATHER FELDBERG WEATHER Towns with the most sunshine Freiburg and Chemnitz are known as the towns with the most sunshine hours in Germany.Looking for other sunny cities in Germany? You can see a comparison here. When you don’t feel yourself during the darker months, you might suffer from Seasonal affective disorder Warmest cities in Germany Frankfurt is the warmest city in the summer.The city with the highest average temperature for 2019 was Köln-Stammheim. Offenbach am Main is also on the list.Rostock is the coldest on average. Most Rainfall per city Halle / Saale has the least rainfall. It also seldom rains in Erfurt, Berlin and Magdeburg – they still have little sunshine (3.8 to 4.4 hours/day).According to Bild, A lot of rain falls in Oldenburg (1072 milliliters), Remscheid (942), Essen (931), Solingen (896) and Wuppertal (866).This means that North Rhine-Westphalia is not only one of the regions with the poorest sunshine but also one of the rainiest regions. Where to find the most Snow The snowiest location in Germany is the Zugspitze, standing at an elevation of 3,000 meters. While snow is most common in mountainous regions, lower-lying areas also experience snowfall, though less frequently. The heaviest snowfall typically occurs in January and February. Types of weather conditions Precipitation refers to any form of atmospheric moisture that falls to the Earth’s surface. There are various types of precipitation that can occur depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions in a particular region. The most common types of precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and hail. To read more about the difference between Graupel, Freezing rain, Sleet and snow, have a look on this page from NJ.  der Regen Rain Rain occurs when liquid water droplets in the air combine and become heavy enough to fall to the ground der Hagel Hail Hail is formed when strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the atmosphere where they freeze and are repeatedly cycled through rising and falling air currents, forming layers of ice. der Dauerregen Constant or persistent rain The US National Weather Service has a good explanation of the different types of rainIn Central Europe one speaks of continuous rain when it continues with uninterrupted rainfall and a severity of more than 0.5 millimeters of precipitation per hour for a period of at least six hours. der Sprühregen or der Nieselregen Drizzle Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together. Drizzle appears to float while following air currents, but unlike fog droplets, it falls to the ground. Quite often fog and drizzle occur together. der Graupel / Graupel Also known as snow pellets.Graupel forms when snowflakes are coated with a layer of ice. Graupel is typically white and opaque. der Eisregen Freezing rain Raindrops becomes supercooled and freeze upon impact with any surface. This results in ice that can accumulate.Freezing rain occurs when the layer of freezing air is so thin that the raindrops do not have enough time to freeze before reaching the ground.  Instead, the water freezes on contact with the surface, creating a coating of ice on whatever the raindrops contact.  der Schneeregen Sleet Sleet is simply frozen raindrops and occurs when the layer of freezing air along the surface is thicker.  This causes the raindrops to freeze before reaching the ground.Sleet occurs mainly just before snowfall and looks like hoarfrost droplets. In contrast to snow, sleet grains are easily breakable. Often these break when they hit the ground. der Schnee Snow Snow occurs when the temperature is cold enough for water vapor to freeze into ice crystals in the air. Snow is solid precipitation that falls from the sky in the form of ice crystals. The ice crystals look like six-pointed stars, needles, columns or plates.  der Nebel Fog In the meteorological glossary fog is defined as ‘obscurity in the surface layers of the atmosphere, which is caused by a suspension of water droplets. By international agreement (particularly for aviation purposes) fog is the name given to resulting visibility less than 1 km. However, in forecasts for the public, this generally refers to visibility less than 180 m. Some also say that Fog is a cloud that reaches ground level (rolls in) Der Dunst Mist Mist is defined as ‘when there is such obscurity and the associated visibility is equal to or exceeds 1000 m.’ Like fog, mist is still the result of the suspension of water droplets, but simply at a lower density. Mist typically is quicker to dissipate and can rapidly disappear with even slight winds, it’s also what you see when you can see your breath on a cold day. Some also say that mist forms on the ground (rises) der Eisnebel Freezing fog The fog forms when the temps at the surface are below freezing.The accumulation will usually be horizontal due to the wind. This type of fog can occur when cold air

Raclette

The summer months are gone, and for most of us, it is too cold to have a braai with our friends. A great alternative is to have a Raclette party at home.For those who are not familiar with Raclette, it is a dish originating from Switzerland. The history behind the dish is that peasants and cow herders in the Alpine regions carried cheese with them. In the evening the cheese would be placed next to a campfire to soften and melt. It was then scraped onto bread. Today it is done on a Raclette grill and eaten with potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, corn and cold meats.A hot beverage like tea or white wine is served with your meal. So what do you need? You will need a Raclette grill. You can buy it at most online shops like Raclette.de  Amazon or Media Markt There is a variety of grills, some are combined with a Fondue pot, others have a grill plate on top and often a combination of a grill plate and a hot stone.They come with little pans called coupelles, which are placed under the grill. My experience is that you need at least two per person. Grocery list for a traditional Raclette meal Boiled baby potatoes gherkins pickled onions corn cold meats such as salami and ham Chicken or beef strips Raclette Cheese White Wine Grocery list – South African Twist / modern Bacon bits (not traditional but works well) Beef or chicken strips (not traditional but works well) Mushrooms (not traditional but works well) Small sausages like Nürnberg Rostbratwurst (not traditional but works well) Shrimps / Prawns Peppers Dates or cherries wrapped in bacon Pineapple  Avocado topped with Feta cheese How to prepare and serve Switch on the raclette grill and let it heat up. Lightly oil the grill plate, then fry your choice of meat, sausage, bacon, or mushrooms. Fill your pan with potatoes, and top with gherkins, pickled onions, corn, your fried items, and optionally, cold meats (or enjoy the cold meats on the side). Place a slice of raclette cheese on top and slide the pan under the grill. Relax with family and friends, sipping wine or Kirsch, while your food grills. Once the cheese is melted and golden, use a small spatula to slide the food onto your plate. Prepare your next pan while your meal cools slightly. Enjoy! Tips Serve apple slices with your raclette! Apples help cut through some of the richness of all the melted cheese and salty meat. Raclette dining is meant to be slow and easy so take your time. Raclette cheese is easy to find in Germany. You can also use other cheeses like Gruyere or Emmentaler. South African flavour – add some Mrs Balls chutney to your food before you add the cheese. We have a list of shops that sell South African Products. Marinate your meat strips Paprika or Chilli powder works well with cheese. Gaan bos! Fry and grill whatever you feel like. Dessert Ideas Bananas Berries Marshmallows (small) Figs Pears Chocolate Cookie crumbs for a base or use flapjacks/small pancakes Dessert Ideas (in German) Something different Flammkuchen – Slice pre-made Flammkuchen dough into squares that will fit the pans. Add Cream cheese, and your choice of toppings (bacon spring onion, salami) and grill Pizza – Try making mini pizzas. Use pizza dough, spread some with tomato paste/sauce on the dough and add, other toppings like mushrooms and a lot of mozzarella cheese For breakfast, grill mini flapjacks and top them with sweet options like berries and chocolate, or go savoury with scrambled eggs and cheese. For another hearty idea, fill your pan with sautéed mushrooms, crispy diced bacon, and fresh herbs. Crack an egg over the mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and grill until the egg is cooked to your liking. Serve with toast or a slice of baguette for a delicious meal! Nachos -Layer tortilla chips with cheese and grill until melted. For extra toppings, add fried mince, sautéed peppers, or black beans for a flavorful twist. Pasta – Pre-cook small pasta shapes, ravioli, or gnocchi in advance. Place your pasta in the pan, top it with pre-made sauces and cheese, and grill until golden and bubbly. For extra flavour, include pre-cooked vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers. You can also add pre-cooked mince or crispy bacon for a hearty twist. Pancakes – Pre-mix a pancake batter. Add toppings (berries, bananas, chocolate, Nutella)  and put under the grill. Add a sprinkle of icing sugar or a twirl of chocolate sauce. Inspiration on the internet The German recipes are easy to follow visually. 13 coole Raclette Rezepte 10 besondere RACLETTE Ideen SO LECKER! 😋 GENIALE RACLETTE PFANNEN IDEEN The EASIEST Way to Host a Raclette Dinner Party Instagram Raclette ideas Instagram Raclette ideen     Related content

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