How long is Germany's Christmas?

What happens in the course of a typical German Christmas? Germany celebrates Christmas with two public holidays, 25 and 26 December. For many people, 24 December, Christmas Eve, is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening.
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How long does Christmas in Germany last?

Christmas begins with Advent in late November and the holiday itself lasts three whole days, so it's only fitting that Christmas gradually come to a close in Germany. Officially, it's not over until Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day, on January 6.
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Why is Christmas in Germany on the 24th?

It is said that the royals have kept this practice going for almost 200 years because of their German origin. For these countries, December 24 marks the beginning of Christmas, which, rather than being an all-day event, often begins in the afternoon.
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How long do Christmas decorations stay up in Germany?

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).
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What happens on December 25th in Germany?

While 25th December is still a national holiday in Germany, it's celebrated differently to how we do in England. Traditionally, the family will gather around a heartwarming meal, attend church, children will play with their new toys and the white candle of the Advent wreath (the one in the middle) will be lit.
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Everything You Need For a Real, German Christmas (+ ANNOUNCEMENT!) | Feli from Germany

What do Germans do on January 6?

Three Kings Day | January, 6

Also known as the Epiphany, Three Kings Day (Heilige Drei Könige) is the day the German Christmas tree is taken down and child carol singers dressed as kings collect money for charity. It is a public holiday in not all but a few states; namely, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, and Sachsen.
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Is December 26 a German holiday?

December 26 is a public holiday in Germany. Post offices, banks, stores and other businesses are closed. However, stores in some areas may be open, especially those at railway stations, airports and along highways. There are some restrictions on selling alcohol, public performances and dancing.
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Why is Christmas so big in Germany?

Although it is the Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is also celebrated by Germans who do not profess any faith – by 78% in all. Celebrating Christmas is an important family tradition for most people. Roughly one in four Germans go to church at Christmas.
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What do Germans call Christmas?

Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪ̯naxtn̩]) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
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What do Germans put on a Christmas tree?

Many German families still decorate their tree in the "altdeutsche Tradition," or the old German way, with real candles and wood and straw ornaments. The tree stays up usually until after New Year's or even until Jan. 6, Three Kings Day.
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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.
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How do Germany say Merry Christmas?

In German, the phrase "Frohe Weihnachten!" which translates to "Merry Christmas” is commonly used. If you prefer a more neutral expression, say "Frohes Fest!" ("Happy Celebration!") or "Schöne Feiertage!" ("Beautiful Holidays!").
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Does it snow in Germany at Christmas?

While snowfall in Germany varies by region and year, it's possible to experience a white Christmas, especially in regions with higher altitudes like the Alps and the Central Uplands.
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What is Krampus in Germany?

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
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Is Germany big on Christmas?

Christmas is arguably the most popular holiday in Germany. Anticipation and festive activities start well before Christmas Eve on December 24, with a number of traditions marking the German holiday season.
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What is Boxing Day called in Germany?

Over in Germany, Boxing Day is known as 'Zweiter Feiertag' (which means 'second celebration') and also 'Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag'.
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Did Santa Claus come from Germany?

The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey.
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What does Santa look like?

What does Santa Claus look like? Today's most common depiction of Santa Claus is of a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap with white fur trim.
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What happens on the 6th of December in Germany?

6 December is Saint Nicholas Day, better known as Nikolaus in Germany. While the day may not receive the full religious celebration it does in Southern Germany and other traditionally Catholic regions, children across Europe look forward to this day each year.
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What is a typical German Christmas dinner?

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.
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Do Germans open presents on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve

Since Germans celebrate his birthday that day, they receive presents and joy in return. That is why secondly, the opening of presents occurs on the evening of Dec. 24, and not on the morning of Dec. 25.
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How is German Christmas different?

German people celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve - December 24th, and most stores are closed after 2 pm on this day. The following 2 days - 25th and 26th of December are national holidays. Unlike American kids, German kids open their gifts on December 24th (lucky them!).
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Do they have Boxing Day in Germany?

South Africa celebrates Boxing Day as the Day of Goodwill. Other European countries, including Romania, Finland, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, etc., also observe a public holiday on December 26.
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What is the religion in Germany 2023?

A 2023 IPSOS religion survey found that 24% of Germans identified as Protestant/Evangelical while 20% identified as Catholic. Nearly half of Germans have no religion.
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What is December 31st called in Germany?

Germans call New Year's Eve "Silvester," in honor of Pope Sylvester I, who died on December 31, 335. According to the legend, non-believers who were around him choked on fish bones. Some superstitious people therefore state that one shold avoid fish that night, or at least eat it very carefully.
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