Recently updated on September 28th, 2025 at 07:03 pm
Similar to many other countries, Christmas in Germany (Weihnachten) is considered one of the most important holidays. While the core ingredients of Christmas are the same around the world – festive cheer, time with family and loved ones, and lots of delicious food – there are some traditions that are unique to each country. Whether you’re on the hunt for some new traditions to adopt this holiday season, or are looking to spend Christmas somewhere new, these are some of our favourite German Christmas traditions we think you’ll love!
Sankt Nikolaus Tag/St Nicholas Day
Known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, this German Christmas tradition is actually observed in many European countries. Each year, on the night of the 5th December, children will clean and polish their boots, and leave them outside their doors before going to sleep. On the morning of the 6th, they’ll find their shoes filled with lollies and small gifts from St Nicholas.
Born Nicholas of Myra in the 4th century, the Greek bishop who later earned sainthood was known for his generousity, often leaving coins in people’s shoes. Der Nikolaustag is celebrated on his feast day, or the day that he died, December 6, 343 A.D.
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What is Santa’s name in Germany?
Santa Claus goes by many names in English alone: Jolly Old Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas among them coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve. Santa’s name in Germany is Weihnachtsmann, the German word for Santa Claus. Because Germany celebrates both Christmas Day as the arrival of the Christ child and the feast day of Saint Nicholas on December 6th, Weihnachtsmann refers to Santa only, not St. Nick.
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Krampus Nacht/Krampus Night
For those children who may have been naughty throughout the year, a visit from Krampus might occur. Krampus the devil is considered to be St Nicholas’ evil sidekick. It’s believed that he accompanies St Nicholas to teach naughty children a hard lesson. In southern Bavaria, grown, muscular men will dress up in demonic costumes and bang on the doors of houses. When invited in by the expecting parents, the Krampus will frighten children into good behaviour.
It’s said that knecht ruprecht, as he’s called in Germany, often accompanied St. Nicholas during his gift giving. Well-behaved children woke up with gifts in their boots; not-so-good children woke up with a stick in their shoes and awaited punishment by Krampus.
Experience Christmas like never before on the Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland tour with Trafalgar.
Adventskranz/Advent wreath
Advent wreaths, or adventskranz, is a German Christmas tradition that was first started in the 16th century by the German Lutherans. The wreath usually consists of four candles in a bed of pine cones, berries, dried flowers and festive ornaments. Most families will bring the wreath out at the beginning of December, and will light one candle every Sunday. However, other families will display their wreath on the last Sunday before Christmas.
Some historians believe that the practice of displaying a candle-lit wreath likely began as a pagan ritual then became a Christian practice around the Middle Ages. The Advent wreath as we know it today was made in the 1800s by Johann Hinrich Wichern as he was helping the poor in Hamburg. The four Advent candles represent the four Sundays of Advent.
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Advent calendars were also said to originate in 19th century Germany. One story suggest a Munich mother created it to help her children count down the days until Christmas, though German Protestants had already practiced the tradition of counting down the days via other methods. A German published reportedly added doors to the dates, and after World War II, they found their way around the world and started including chocolates behind the doors.
Weinachtsmärkte/Chistmas markets
While Christmas markets are a popular festive activity all around the world, the origins of these markets can be traced back to German-speaking Europe in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, Christmas in Germany is celebrated with thousands of markets all over the country. We can’t think of anything much better than strolling around market stalls and enjoying a drink of glüwein with a pretzel to accompany.
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Today, Germany’s Christmas markets are both classic and contemporary. Modern metropolises like Berlin have traditional village-style markets around Charlottenburg Palace and carnival-like attractions in smaller city squares. Munich’s Christmas market in the Marienplatz is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. From Potsdam to Nuremberg, Christmas markets throughout the country are one of the most cherished German traditions for locals and visitors alike.
Experience Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets on the German Christmas Markets tour with Trafalgar.
Glüwein/Mulled wine
An essential component to Christmas in Germany is a steaming hot mug of glüwein. At the Christmas markets, glüwein is sold in ceramic mugs and is considered a necessity for beating the cold winter chill and spreading Christmas cheer.
Warm wine pre-dates German Christmas traditions, going as far back to Ancient Rome when the Romans would heat the beverage in the winter. Gluhwein is served at nearly every Christmas market you visit in Germany, but some visitors come for not what’s in the cup, but the cup itself. Many markets have special mugs that you can purchase, some reflecting the individual market or year. Because these mugs are so special, gluhwein stalls will ask for a deposit for the mug when they fill it, ensuring that you either return it to retrieve your deposit or have essentially paid to keep it.
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Weihnachtsengel/Christmas angels
If you step into any home in Germany at Christmastime, you’ll notice a lot of weihnachtsengels, or Christmas Angels around the house. This German Christmas custom is one of the most popular traditions. The angels are usually placed on the Christmas tree, or on sideboards. In some families, angels are passed down through the generations and include special meanings, such as hope, joy and prosperity.
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Feuerzangenbowle/Fire tong punch
A German Christmas tradition that is guaranteed to be a feast for both your eyes and your tastebuds is Feuerzangenbowle. It’s a potent German Christmas drink that mixes high level rum with mulled wine. Before being served, the drink is set alight.
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What is traditionally eaten on Christmas Day in Germany?
One traditional meal eaten on Christmas Day in Germany is a feast of roasted goose with red cabbage, Spätzle, and Knödel. The Christmas goose, called Weihnachtsgans, is not as widespread on today’s tables like duck may be, but the tradition of gorging on goose goes back centuries. Some historians believe it started in Germany as a tradition following the fast from St. Martin’s Day to Christmas Day; others think it was brought from England where the tradition started when Queen Elizabeth I, who was dining on goose, found out about the British defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. To commemorate the victory, the Queen insisted that the country have the same dinner on Christmas Day.
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Stollen and Lebkuchen
If you’ve ever celebrated Christmas in Germany, you would’ve seen lebkuchen decorated everywhere. This German Christmas food is another festive treat that resembles gingerbread. These baked treats come in a variety of flavours, including honey, spiced and nuts, and often come with messages written on them.
Perhaps one of the most well known German Christmas traditions is stollen. The traditional German Christmas food is a cake made of flour, with fruits, nuts and spices added to it. It’s also decorated with powdered sugar and occasionally a little bit of zest too
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Did you enjoy this list of how to celebrate Christmas in Germany? Let us know in the comments! Or, head to our website for inspiration on how you can travel to Germany with Trafalgar.