German Christmas Traditions - how do Germans celebrate Christmas?

Germans start Christmas - Weihnachten - with Heiligabend - Christmas Eve - the 24th of December. Typically the christmas tree is decorated in the morning, last Christmas shopping is done and gifts are wrapped. Besides, the meals for dinner a prepared. Nevertheless in a lot of families there is just a simple Holy Night dinner like Kartoffelsalat - potato salad - und Würstchen - sausages. At the 25th - 1. Weihnachtstag - there is a real feast like roast goose or roast duck.

If there are smaller children in the family they will start celebrating either with attending church - Familiengottesdienst often with nativity play - or with singing some Christmas carols and/or reading the Christmas story in the bible and then unwrapping the Christmas gifts - this will happen between 4 and 6pm. The others will unwrap their gifts after attending church.

Then the dinner will start and after it the familiy will sit together and talk or listen to Christmas music. Children will play with their new toys and are allowed to stay awake much longer than normally. If the children are older or there are none some people will attend Christmas Mass - Christmette - at night.

At the 25th - 1. Weihnachtstag - people will often visit other family members or friends. Some will attend church - Weihnachtshochamt - (again).

At the 26th - 2. Weihnachtstag - people will also visit other family members or friends. Others will go for a walk or just relax at home and read their new books or play new games.

German Christmas

A German Christmas: Festive Tales From Berlin to Bavaria (Vintage Christmas Tales, 2) (Affiliate-Link)
The Brothers Grimm, Vintage Classics, Gebundene Ausgabe, 1784878227, 2,76 €

GERMANY CHRISTMAS MARKETS GUIDE 2026-2027: Best Markets, Itineraries, Festive Foods, Holiday Events, Travel Tips, and Where to Stay (The Ultimate Christmas Markets Explorer Series 2026-2027) (Affiliate-Link)
Holts, Ann, Independently published, Taschenbuch, 11,93 €

Germany Christmas Markets Guide 2026-2027: Insider Tips, Festive Markets, Local Traditions, Seasonal Foods, and Magical Experiences for First-Time ... Markets Guide Series 2026–2027 Edition) (Affiliate-Link)
Mills, Shedrack, Independently published, Taschenbuch, 11,60 €

Germany Christmas Markets 2026: Discover Germany's Best Christmas Markets, Festive Foods, Hidden Gems, Local Traditions, Winter Travel Tips and Magical Holiday Experiences (Affiliate-Link)
Atlas, Nora, Independently published, Taschenbuch, 13,08 €

Baby’s First Christmas in Germany: A Gentle Watercolor Introduction to Holiday Traditions, Art, and Joy of German Culture | Stocking Stuffer and Gifts ... the World for Little Learners, Band 10) (Affiliate-Link)
Publishing, Noah and Lucy, Independently published, Taschenbuch, 9,24 €

PURIZE® XTRA Slim Size Aktivkohlefilter ø 6 mm – 50er Pack - XMAS (Affiliate-Link)
PURIZE® Filters, 8,90 €

Elm Creek Quilts Christmas: Quilts, Scenes, and Stories from the Elm Creek Quilts Novels (Affiliate-Link)
Chiaverini, Jennifer, C & T Publishing, Taschenbuch, 1644037157, 26,21 €

Our Little Adventure at Christmas: Featuring Foundational Language Concepts and Lessons on the Joy of Giving (Tabitha Paige Children's Book Series, Band 12) (Affiliate-Link)
Paige MS CCC-SLP, Tabitha, Paige Tate & Co, Pappbilderbuch, 1963183541, 11,94 €

Weitere Produkte zum Thema Germany Christmas bei Amazon.de (Affiliate-Link) »