December 2021 - South Africans in Germany

Weather

Season

Autumn / Winter
The astronomical start of winter is between 20 and 23 December. It is based on the changing position of Earth in relation to the sun and the resulting solar events of equinoxes and solstices.
Meteorological Winter is defined by climatic conditions and the annual temperature cycle. It is the same period of time in different years.
In most of the Northern Hemisphere, meteorological winter is generally defined as the three months of December, January and February, with the season starting on 1 December.

Weather

The temperature can drop well below freezing but can also warm up to above 10 °C.
Depending on your location, expect a lot or rain, ice rain, frost, fog and some snow.
The mountainous regions will get more snow than the low-lying areas.
Christmas is rarely a postcard image of white snow all over.

Public Holidays

Holiday	Date	Bundesländer
1st Day of Christmas / 1. Weihnachtsfeiertag	25 December	all
2nd Day of Christmas / 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag	26 December	all

Observations

Holiday	Date	Bundesländer
Saint Nicholas Day / Nikolaus-tag	6 December	all
Winter Solstice	The winter solstice, also known as midwinter, occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It is usually on 21 or 22 December. It is the longest night (darkness) in the year.	all
New Year’s Eve / Silvester	31 December	all
Advent (4 in total)	Starts 4 Sundays before Christmas	all

Festivals and Events

Event	Date	Information
Christmas markets	From the end of November until just before Christmas	The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is the most famous.
Christmas gardens	A festival of Christmas lights	Christmas-garden.de

In December the main focus is on Christmas, and the Germans have many Christmas traditions to celebrate.

Christmas markets are a very big part of these traditions. Meet up with friends at these beautifully decorated markets where you can buy delicious food, glühwein, handmade items and Christmas cards. Some markets are themed, such as the middle age market in Esslingen or the baroque one in Ludwigsburg. There are also Christmas market tours that you can do.
To avoid crowds, it is best to go during the day, although you will miss out on the cosy nighttime atmosphere enhanced by the countless Christmas lights and decorations.

Christmas day is usually a quiet day spent with family. Shops are closed as well as most restaurants.

After the quiet celebrations of Christmas day, comes New Year’s Eve. Here it is celebrated with a bang – literally! Fireworks can be seen everywhere. Just take a note that fireworks are legally sold between 28-30 December and you are only able to light them from 31 Dec through 1 Jan.

It is also a bit of a tradition to watch Dinner for One on New Year’s Eve, eat Raclette and wash it down with a good Riesling or Sekt