Looking for 10 facts about Christmas in Germany? Germany has shaped many of the traditions we celebrate today — from Christmas trees to advent calendars. Here are 10 interesting facts about Christmas in Germany that will help you understand how Germans celebrate the holiday season.

We get the Christmas tree from Germany, as well as nutcrackers, gingerbread, advent calendars, and wreaths. Can you imagine Christmas without these awesome things?

Fun Facts about Christmas in Germany

1. Advent is a big deal in Germany. It’s the four weeks leading up to Christmas and is a time of anticipation and preparation. Many families have an Advent wreath with four candles, and they light one candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas.
2. Christmas markets are a big part of the holiday season in Germany. They’re called “Weihnachtsmärkte” or ” Christkindlmarkt” and are filled with food, drinks, and handmade crafts. Kids can enjoy gingerbread cookies, roasted nuts, and hot cocoa.
3. In Germany, Christmas Eve is the big day for gift-giving. Families gather together to exchange presents and enjoy a festive meal. It’s also traditional to attend a midnight church service.
4. One famous German Christmas tradition is the Nutcracker. These wooden figurines are often used as decorations, and some people believe they bring good luck to the household.
5. Another popular decoration is the Christmas pyramid. It’s a wooden structure with tiers of candles, and when lit, the heat from the candles causes the tiers to spin, creating a beautiful display.
6. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in Germany. Children leave out their shoes the night before, and in the morning, they find them filled with treats and small gifts.
7. Traditional German Christmas foods include roasted goose, potato dumplings, and red cabbage. And for dessert, there’s stollen, a sweet bread filled with dried fruit and nuts.
8. In some parts of Germany, hiding a pickle ornament in the Christmas tree is traditional. The first child to find it gets an extra present!

I hope these facts help you learn more about Christmas in Germany!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Germany

When do Germans celebrate Christmas?

In Germany, Christmas is mainly celebrated on December 24th, which is called Heiligabend (Christmas Eve). This is when families gather together, exchange gifts, and enjoy a special meal. December 25th and 26th are also public holidays, but Christmas Eve is the most important day for celebrations.

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Do Germans open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Most German families open their presents on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning. Gifts are usually placed under the Christmas tree and exchanged in the evening after dinner. Many families also attend a church service before opening presents.

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What are some traditional German Christmas foods?

Traditional German Christmas meals often include roast goose, potato dumplings, and red cabbage. For dessert, many families enjoy Stollen, a sweet bread filled with dried fruit, nuts, and powdered sugar. In some homes, sausages and potato salad are served on Christmas Eve as a simple family tradition.

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What is a Weihnachtsmarkt?

A Weihnachtsmarkt is a German Christmas market. These festive outdoor markets are filled with handmade crafts, ornaments, gifts, and traditional holiday foods. Visitors can enjoy gingerbread, roasted nuts, sausages, and hot drinks like Glühwein (spiced mulled wine). Christmas markets are one of the most famous German holiday traditions.

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Did the Christmas tree tradition start in Germany?

Yes, the modern Christmas tree tradition began in Germany. Germans were decorating evergreen trees as early as the 1500s. The tradition later spread to England and the United States, becoming one of the most popular Christmas customs around the world.

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Who brings presents to children in Germany?

In many parts of Germany, gifts are said to be brought by the Christkind, a childlike angel figure. In other regions, children may believe that St. Nicholas or Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann) brings presents. Traditions can vary depending on the region.

What to make to celebrate like the Germans at Christmas

In Germany, the most typical dessert for Christmas is Stollen, which is a bread-like dessert with dried fruit. I don’t care for stollen and my kids hate raisins, so we decided to make Spritz Cookies or “Spritzgebach.” These light and crispy cookies are simple and so delicious. Your kids will love to make them too.

Open the link to the cookie recipe below, and follow carefully. Spritz Cookies taste amazing whether or not they look beautiful.

Spritz Cookies

 

What to make for a German Christmas craft

If you want to learn a little bit more about Germany and how they celebrate Christmas you should join us for a Christmas Craft.

Nutcracker Ornaments

Nutcrackers are a traditional German Decoration and are perfect to hang on a Christmas Tree.

We will be following the awesome tutorial from Little Bins Little Hands.

Here is the tutorial.

If you want to create these nutcrackers with thin craft foam they will be less delicate!

Now that you have made your Nutcracker, you can hang it from your Christmas tree or in a window and remember how Christmas in Germany is celebrated.

Advent Calendar

Advent Calendars are a German tradition and a great way to get excited about Christmas. Each day you get a piece of candy or a small toy as you count down the days til Christmas. This is a great activity for kids, and moms and dads can hide treats behind each number!

Check out the tutorial here!

German Christmas Carols

German Christmas Carols are similar to ones you might already know.  For example, the song “O, Christmas Tree” is a German song that they call “O, Tannenbaum.”

But there may be some new ones for you. Here are some popular German carols that you can learn and sing. Enjoy singing these traditional songs and wishing your friends and family

What to read about Christmas in Germany

This book is all about Christmas in Germany. You can learn all about how children celebrate Christmas. It is an excellent book for kids ages 5-10.

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Want to Decorate with some German Christmas Decor?

There are many beautiful Christmas decor pieces from around the world linked in this post on Christmas around the world.

I particularly love the Christmas Pyramids and Nutcrackers that are found all over Germany!

 

If you want to learn about Christmas in Sweden Click Here

 

If you are interested in more of this series, check out the Christmas in New Zealand article.

Last update on 2026-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API