How long do Germans keep their Christmas tree up?

Germans traditionally keep their Christmas trees up until January 6th (Epiphany, or Dreikönigstag), marking the end of the twelve days of Christmas, with some families, especially in Catholic areas, leaving them up even longer until Candlemas (February 2nd). Taking the tree down before January 7th is considered unlucky, and public collection services often run well into the third or fourth week of January, showing the tradition's longevity.

How long do Germans leave the Christmas tree up?

Once the tree has been decorated on Christmas Eve, the tree remains in the house for the 12 days of Christmas, which ends on January 6. Also known as Epiphany, the day which the wise men were said to visit baby Jesus. However, some Catholic parts of Germany keep their tree up until February 2nd (Candlemas).

What is the German tradition of the Christmas tree?

In Germany, Christmas trees traditionally are unveiled fully decorated on Christmas Eve and then remains up in the home until the 12th day after Christmas (the twelve days of Christmas) this entire period is filled with celebration as they also celebrate the New Year.

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).
 

What are the five Christmas traditions in Germany?

Here are ten of our favorite German Christmas traditions, with some historical background, anecdotes and even delicious recipe suggestions.

• Advent Calendar (Adventskalendar) ...
• Advent wreath (Adventskranz) ...
• St. ...
• Krampus Night (Krampus Nacht) ...
• Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) ...
• Mulled Wine (Glühwein)

You will not believe what the Germans do with Christmas trees after Christmas

Do Germans celebrate Christmas differently?

Unlike in the UK or the USA, where the Christmas holiday period begins on the 25th of December, in Germany, Christmas Eve on the 24th of December is considered the main day for Christmas celebrations. That's when the Christmas tree is put up and decorated and presents are opened.

Why are you supposed to leave your Christmas tree up until January 6th?

You're supposed to leave your Christmas tree up until January 6th because it marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and celebrates the Feast of Epiphany (Three Kings' Day), honoring the arrival of the Magi to baby Jesus, making it the traditional, festive conclusion to the season, though some superstitions suggest leaving them longer brings bad luck or even goblins. 

Is 12th night 5th or 6th January?

Date. In many Western ecclesiastical traditions such as the Lutheran and Anglican denominations of Christianity, Christmas Day is considered the "First Day of Christmas" and the Twelve Days are 25 December – 5 January, inclusive, making Twelfth Night on 5 January, which is Epiphany Eve.

What is the last day to take down Christmas decorations?

The Epiphany falls on 6th January, which means the decorations should, in theory, be tidied away on the 5th. This is the most popular date! However, not everyone follows this tradition. Many countries, including Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic believe the Twelfth Night to be the 6th.

What is the German Christmas myth?

In Central European folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure described as "half-goat, half- demon", who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved. This contrasts with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts.

How do Germans decorate for Christmas?

People decorate their houses with wreaths, put lighted candles and pyramids in their windows, and decorate their yards with lights. The official start of the holiday season for Germans is on the first of four Advent Sundays.

What do Germans call the day after Christmas?

Instead, Germans simply talk about der zweite Weihnachtstag or der 26. Dezember, and they mean something much quieter and more reflective than the British Boxing Day.

How long is too long to leave your Christmas tree up?

Taking down your Christmas tree on January 5 or 6 is a personal choice based on how you count the twelve days. Some Christians have different opinions on the right date, but the Twelfth Night of Christmas is traditionally when decorations come down.

What is the German tradition for 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!

When to take the Christmas tree down in 2026?

For 2026, tradition suggests taking your Christmas tree down by Twelfth Night (January 5th), the eve of Epiphany, to ward off bad luck, though many people now opt for earlier dates like after Christmas or New Year's, with others waiting until the actual Epiphany (January 6th), making the first week of January the most common window. 

What happens if you don't take decorations down by 12th night?

The tradition that it is bad luck to keep decorations up after Twelfth Night and the Epiphany is a modern invention, although it may derive from the medieval notion that decorations left up after Candlemas eve would become possessed by goblins!

What do kids do on the Eve of January 5th?

On the eve of January 5, children often leave grass out for the Kings' horses, and in return the Kings leave gifts. And then the celebration really begins—music, food, and community festivities.

Why did Christmas change from January 6 to December 25?

According to Roman Catholic sources, the date was changed from January 6th to December 25th in order to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the Sun which was celebrated on December 25th. At the time Christians used to continue their observance of these pagan festivities.

Is the 12th night on 5th or 6th January?

Twelfth Night is a Christian festival that takes place twelve days from Christmas Day, on 5 January. Many people believe is bad luck to leave your Christmas decorations up at this point. The twelve nights mark the coming of the feast of Epiphany on 6 January.

What is the proper day to take down the Christmas tree?

The most traditional day to take down a Christmas tree is Twelfth Night (January 5th), marking the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, though some wait until the Epiphany (January 6th), the day the Three Kings visited. However, there's no single "proper" day; many people take them down earlier (Boxing Day, New Year's) or later, with fire safety being a key factor for real trees drying out. 

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.

What is common between the British and the German at Christmas?

Both the troops played a game of football for which both Hans and Jim cheered clapped hands and stamped feet. They also exchanged carols at night. In this way they celebrated Christmas together finding a lot in common between them.

What are 5 fun facts about Christmas in Germany?

17 weird and wonderful German Christmas traditions you need to know about

• Advent calendars. ...
• Stockings are filled on 6th December. ...
• Krampus night. ...
• Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration. ...
• Potato salad and sausages for dinner. ...
• Christmas Day is called 'Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag' ...
• Christmas trees are German.