Does Germany have two Christmas days?

Yes, Germany officially celebrates two Christmas days—December 25 (1. Weihnachtstag) and December 26 (2. Weihnachtstag)—both of which are public holidays where shops are closed, and families typically gather for large meals, visits, and relaxation.

Does Germany have two days of Christmas?

Well, the 25th and 26th of December in Germany are official Christmas holidays⛄❄️. They are set aside for quality family time, feasting together🍚🍗, visiting friends and relatives and enjoying more food. Shops are closed on these days!

Is 26th December a holiday in Germany?

Second Christmas Day (or Boxing Day) | December, 26

The day after Christmas, or Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag, is also a public holiday.

What is December 26 called in Germany?

In Germany, December 26th is indeed recognized as a public holiday called "Zweiter Weihnachtstag," or Second Christmas Day. This day serves as an extension of the Christmas celebrations rather than a distinct event like Boxing Day in other cultures.

Do Germans celebrate Christmas on December 6th?

🎅✨ Happy Nikolaus Day! Every year on December 6, children across Germany wake up to shoes filled with small gifts and sweets — a tradition celebrating St. Nicholas, the patron saint of generosity. Wishing everyone a joyful start to the holiday season!

What I learned about German Christmas as an American

What do Germans do on the 25th and 26th of December?

On December 25th (First Christmas Day) and 26th (Second Christmas Day, Zweiter Weihnachtstag), Germans enjoy official public holidays focused on quiet family time, large festive meals with traditional foods like roast goose or carp, exchanging gifts (which often happens on Christmas Eve), and visiting relatives, with most shops remaining closed as the celebration continues after the main gift-giving on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend).
 

Which countries have Christmas on 7 January?

In around 15 countries including Belarus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, and Ukraine,7th January is Christmas day.

What happens on the 24th of December in Germany?

Christmas celebrations start in Germany on 24th December (Christmas Eve) when Christmas gifts are exchanged. On 25th December (Christmas Day) and 26 December, usually the family gets together for celebrations and also the religious Christians will visit Christmas mass during these days.

Is December 31 a legal holiday?

The holiday also provides an opportunity for workers to take a well-deserved break before returning to their regular routines in January. According to Proclamation No. 727, s. 2024, December 31, 2025, is declared a special (non-working) holiday in the Philippines.

What do Germans say instead of "merry Christmas"?

Frohe Weihnachten is the classic for Merry Christmas in German. It is short, spot on and easy to learn — even for beginners. Frohe means joyful and Weihnachten of course translates to Christmas. Nothing could describe this magical time of the year with all its treats, decorations and stories better.

Is 25 and 26 December a public holiday?

UK bank holidays between 2025 and 2026

There are two remaining bank holiday dates in 2025: 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day. 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day.

How long is Christmas break in Germany?

Types of school holidays in Germany

Christmas holiday (Weihnachtsferien) - usually two weeks. Winter holiday (Winterferien) - between a few days and two weeks. Easter holiday (Osterferien) - two to three weeks. Whitsun holiday (Pfingstferien) - between a few days and two weeks.

Is everything closed on 31st December in Germany?

Just a quick reminder: 31 December is not a public holiday, but many stores in Germany will close early. 1 January is a public holiday, so stores will be closed. Please plan your shopping in advance and make sure you have everything you need for the start of the New Year.

Is December 26th a holiday in Germany?

The Second Day of Christmas is a public holiday in Germany and is celebrated on December 26.

What is Santa called in Germany?

Santa Claus - Der Weihnachtsmann

The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.

Which country celebrates Christmas for 2 weeks?

In the Philippines, where the population is predominantly Catholic, Christmas is celebrated for nearly half the year, from September to January, widely regarded as among the longest in the world.

Which country has the most public holidays?

10 countries with the most public holidays; India ranks no. 1

• 1/10. India (42 public holidays) ...
• 2/10. Nepal (35 public holidays) ...
• 3/10. Iran (26 public holidays) ...
• 4/10. Myanmar (26 public holidays) ...
• 5/10. Sri lanka (25 public holidays) ...
• 6/10. Malaysia (24 public holidays) ...
• 7/10. Fiji (23 public holidays) ...
• 8/10.

Is Christmas Day double pay?

No, Christmas day is not automatically double pay by law; it depends entirely on your employment contract, company policy, or union agreements, as UK/US law doesn't mandate premium holiday rates, though many employers offer it as a perk, especially for difficult-to-fill shifts in retail, hospitality, or healthcare. You must check your contract or staff handbook for specifics on enhanced pay or time-off-in-lieu for working Christmas. 

Is December 31, 2025 a declared holiday?

Government employees will enjoy a longer break, since Jan. 1, 2026 (New Year's Day) and Dec. 30, 2025 (Rizal Day) are declared regular holidays, while Dec. 31, 2025 (Last Day of the Year) is also proclaimed a special non-working day.

What do Germans do on 25th December?

Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Germany

It's common for families to enjoy a big breakfast together. Additionally, religious family also attend a special Christmas church service on this day. On the Second Christmas Day (26th), shops remain closed and family time continues.

Is December 24 a special or regular holiday?

DOLE sets holiday pay rules for Christmas. File photoMANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment has released pay rules for Christmas Day and other holidays this December. Christmas and New Year's Eve, or December 24 and 31, are special non-working days, DOLE said, and the following pay guidelines should apply.

Do Germans open gifts on 24?

Especially in the south of Germany, many families “meet” the Christkind instead of Santa — pure childhood magic ✨ 🎄 Unwrapping gifts on the 24th. Yes, we open presents already on Christmas Eve — different from the UK & US.

Which country's Christmas is not a holiday?

Countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macau), the Comoros, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, the Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, the Sahrawi Republic, ...

Was Jesus born on January 7th?

No, Jesus wasn't definitively born on January 7th, but many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th (Gregorian) because it corresponds to December 25th on the older Julian calendar, the calendar system their churches still use. While December 25th is the widely accepted Christmas date, the actual historical birth date of Jesus is unknown, with biblical scholars suggesting a range around 4-6 BC. 

Do Chinese people celebrate Christmas?

In China, about 6% of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores.