Winter in Germany
Christmas in Germany
One of the most special experiences in Northern Germany at Christmas time is walking around and enjoying the Christmas markets, all decorated beautifully. As a tradition that first derived from Germany, Christmas markets are a great way to bring the family together and enjoy ice skating, Glühwein and perhaps a traditional Bratwurst or Currywurst (or both!).
German Christmas Traditions
Christmas in Germany is a wonderful time of the year and has celebrations throughout the month of December. In a lot of houses, an advent calendar (Adventskalendar) will be present to mark down the days until Christmas Eve – just like Christmas Markets, advent calendars were first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries. The days used to be notes by the burning of a candle or chalk markings on the wall and now we know advent by the widely recognised chocolate calendar!
In Germany, the 6th of December marks St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag) and stockings are filled for children who leaver a sock outside their door as they sleep. Gift can be from chocolate coins and oranges to small toys – the Christmas markets in Germany will be a perfect place for you to buy unique and beautiful gifts for your own stockings. If you are walking around the markets around the 5th of December, watch out for Krampus on Krampusnacht, an old dark German tradition.
German Christmas Food
Hamburg's signature dishes include Franzbrötchen (French rolls, allegedly influenced by Napoleon's troops), Currywurst (Celebrated in Uwe Timm's novel 'The Invention of Curried Sausage'), Labskaus (Seafarers’ stew of various ingredients tinted a bright pink from beetroot) and Rote Grütze (Mixed berries and cherry dessert served with custard).
