Happy New Year
Although some towns will keep their Christmas lights on until the second week in January, it can feel a bit quiet and dull, especially after the Christmas festivities.
If you need some inspiration to keep yourself busy or to lift your mood, we have some activity suggestions below.
For those who suffer from the lack of sunshine, or (SAD), you can find information and tips on our Seasonal affective Disorder page.
Weather
| Season | Winter |
| Time | Winter Time. One hour behind South Africa |
| Weather | The temperatures averages between -2.8 °C and 2.1 °C. It can of course be much colder, depending on the location. Snow is likely in the mountain areas. Coastal cities have a milder climate and the possibility of snow is low. January is the coldest month in Germany, and also the darkest The average daily sunshine hours is 1.6 |
School Holidays
| Holidays Season | Date | Information |
| Weihnachtsferien | Just before Christmas until early January | https://www.schulferien.org/ |
Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Bundesländer |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | 1 January | all |
| Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) | 6 January | BW, BY, ST |
Observations
| Holiday | Date | Bundesländer |
|---|---|---|
| None | Â | Â |
Festivals and Events
| Event | Date | Information |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve (31 December) | This year there is again a ban on fireworks. This is to keep people from injuring themselves and needing medical attention. | German New Years Traditions |
| New Years Run in Berlin (Berliner Neujahrslauf ) | Cancelled due to the Corona Pandemic | Berliner-Neujahrslauf |
| Christmas Gardens Stuttgart | 18 Nov 2021Â until 16 Jan 2022 | Christmas Garden |
| Besenwirtschaft or Strausse | Winter | Besenwirtschaft |
| New Years Concerts (Classical) | Search in your area. | Mostly Classical Music |
Fun activities
- It will most likely snow in the mountains and towns with a higher altitude
- Spend a weekend in a cosy cabin and enjoy the winter scenery
- Go for walks outside, learn a winter sport and keep warm with hearty food.
- Visit a Besen or Strauss - Restaurants that are open only during certain times of the year, usually at a winery (Weingut)
- Play indoor sports
- Visit a wellness hotel / Spa
- Visit museums
- Go to indoor concerts and shows
- Learn a winter sport like skiing
- Try sledging (Rodel) at a Rodelbahn
Snow Info
Foods to try
January is time for comfort food, think hearty stews, soups, roasts and potatoes. Sauerkraut and Rotkohl are still very much in season.
Traditional Food for New Year’s day is Pork and Sauerkraut.
Here are some more info on traditional New Years Eve and Day dishes.
This site explains the significance of the food.
- Kale (Grünkohl), usually served with Speck, Wurst or KasselerÂ
- Savoy Cabbage (Wirsing)
- Black Salsify (Schwarzwurzel)
- Brussels sprouts (Rosenkohl)
- Cabbage Rolls (Kohlrouladen)
- Schlachtplatte (Leberwurst, blutwurst und kesselfleisch)
- Deer or other venison
Fruit and Veggies in Season
Sources
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