Christmas in Germany - inspired by German Christmas traditions

Christmas in Germany offers everything from tasty pastries and delicious Christmas food to atmospheric Advent music. This year we have to be careful about travelling due to the pandemic, and it's hard to know what the situation will be like as Christmas approaches. But you can always be inspired! If we can't travel this winter, we can always dream and make travel plans for next year.

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Christmas in Germany

Christmas in Germany is a big and important holiday, and in fact many of our Swedish traditions come from Germany. For example, both the Christmas tree and the Advent calendar have German origins.

Today, many people may associate Germany's Christmas with all its great Christmas markets, which are extremely popular to visit. The closest we have come to Christmas in Germany is that we visited the beautiful city of Frankfurt. Nuremberg in November 2015, just before the Christmas market would open. Already Christmas spirit in the streets!

Unfortunately, this year it looks like several Christmas markets will be cancelled due to the pandemic, and we all need to be careful when travelling. In collaboration with the German Tourist Board, we suggest 6 exciting Christmas traditions in Germany. Get inspired for a German-inspired Christmas at home in Sweden - or plan a visit to Germany next winter.

Jul i Tyskland - Nurnberg — Nuremberg, November 2015

READ MORE: Things to do in Germany and German attractions
READ MORE: German specialities in different regions - don't miss these

1. Käthe Wohlfart Christmas Village and Museum

In the romantic medieval town of Rothenburg, located west of Nuremberg, there is a special 'Christmas village' open all year round. The village, which is also a shop, was founded in 1964. It is run as a family business and is suitable for anyone who loves Christmas.

Jul i Tyskland - julby och julmuseum — Museum and shop © KätheWohlfahrt

The Christmas Village is home to the world's largest collection of German Christmas decorations, with more than 30,000 varieties of decorations in the form of pyramids, nutcrackers, incense figures, Schwibbogen (German Christmas candlesticks), glass figures, tablecloths and much more.

The Christmas Museum, which opened in the mid-20th century, displays a permanent exhibition of Christmas decorations in an area covering 250 square metres.

Jul i Tyskland - julmuseum — Museum © Käthe-Wohlfahrt

Address: Christmas Village & Christmas Museum Herrngasse 1, Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Contact us: Christmas Village +49 800 4090150 and Christmas Museum +49 9861 409 365.
Opening hours: Christmas Village daily 11:00-17:00. Christmas Museum 1 Oct-23 Dec 11:00-16:00, 25 Dec-9 Jan 11:00-15:00 (winter 2020-2021).
Entry: The Christmas Village is free of charge. Admission to the Christmas Museum is €5 for adults, €4 for pensioners, students and people with disabilities and €2 for children aged 6-11. A family ticket costs €11.
Corona age: The Christmas Village and Museum limits the number of guests to 25 people at a time.
Read more: Here you can find more information on Christmas village and if Christmas Museum.
Parking space: Car park Rothenburg (Walnussveg 1)
See more in the neighbourhood: Visit the idyllic little town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with its medieval streets, half-timbered houses and pretty squares.

2. Christmas cakes at Lebkuchen Schmidt

You can visit the Lebkucken Schmidt shop to stock up on German Christmas cakes and pastries for the entire festive season. Founded in 1926, Lebkucken Schmidt is the world's oldest gingerbread and pastry mail order company.

The biggest shop is in Nuremberg, where you can buy the signature cake 'Nuremberg Lebkuchen', which is protected by copyright and can only be bought in, well, Nuremberg. The cake is made with hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom.

Jul i Tyskland - bakverk — Production © Lebkuchen Schmidt

Address: Gingerbread Schmidt Outlet Store, Zollhausstrasse 30, Nuremberg.
Contact us: +49 911 8966278, info@lebkuchen-schmidt.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00 and Sat 09:00-13:00 (2020)
Corona age: Face mask required
Read more: More info on Lebkuchen-Schmidt
Parking space: Outdoor swimming pool Feuchtasia (Chormantelweg 25, Feucht)
See more in the neighbourhood: Discover the medieval city centre of Nuremberg with its castles, churches and cathedrals.

3. traditional German Christmas dinner

What does a traditional German Christmas dinner consist of? It can vary depending on the region and family, but here are some classic variations:

Duck, goose or roast with stuffing, apple, red cabbage and potato dumplings.
Sausage with potato salad (however, the salad is made with local variations, in the north with mayonnaise and in the south with oil and vinegar, and with possible additional accessories such as pickled cucumber)

In Hamburg, you can also find a local Christmas speciality in the form of "Grünkohl mit Kassler oder Pinkel Weihnachtskrapfen", which roughly translates as kale with kassler or sausage. In Hamburg you will also find two restaurants that offer Christmas in Germany through traditional German Christmas food.

Jul i Tyskland - traditionell julmiddag — Traditional German Christmas dinner with goose, red cabbage and potato dumplings © DZT / Knut Pflaumer

Address: Restaurant Brodersen, Rothenbaumchaussee 46 (corner of Johnsallee) and Goldene Gans, Rothestrasse.
Contact us: Brodersen: kontakt@restaurant-brodersen.de, +4940 45 81 19 and Golden Goose +4940 39 909 878, goldene-gans@t-online.de.
Opening hours: Restaurant Brodersen: Mon-Fri and Sun 12:00-23:00 and Sat 17:00-23:00 and Golden Gans: Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-22:00 (2020).
Corona age: Face mask required
Read more: More info on restaurant Brodersen and if Golden Goose
Parking space: Heiligengeistfeld caravan site (Feldstrasse 60) or Strand Pauli car park (Sankt Pauli Hafenstrasse 89).
See more in the neighbourhood: Discover the interesting Hanseatic city Hamburg. The city centre is home to two lakes, as well as shopping and museums.

4. The Advent atmosphere at Chorin Monastery

If you want to enjoy a quieter Christmas in Germany and unwind, head to Chorin Monastery, located northeast of Berlin. It's particularly worth visiting in the afternoons and evenings, when the beautiful Gothic monastery building is lit up.

Various masses and concerts are organised during Advent and Christmas. There is also a monastery museum with various temporary exhibitions and a permanent exhibition on the construction of the brick monastery. There is also a shop and a café.

Kloster Chorin — Chorin Monastery, illuminated in the evening © EKC / Jahn

Address: Amt Choin 11a, Chorin
Contact us: +49 3336670377, info@kloster-chorin.org
Opening hours: Daily 10:00-16:00
Entry: Adults €6 and children €3.50. Family ticket €13.
Corona age: Face mask required
Read more: More info on Monastery choir
Parking space: Parking at the Finowkanal (Angermünder Chaussee, Eberswalde)
See more in the neighbourhood: The monastery is a good starting point for various excursions in the area. You can explore the region by bike, on foot or by car.

5. Christmas concerts in Berlin

Why not experience some great Christmas music? Berlin offers a wide range of concerts during Advent. In particular, there are concerts at the Konzerthaus Berlin, Philharmonie Berlin, Parkbühne Wuhlheide and Schloss Charlottenburg.

Address: Varies depending on the concert hall
Contact us: +49 30 25 00 23 33, hallo@visitBerlin.de
Opening hours: Christmas concerts are given between 2/12 and 26/12
Corona age: Face mask required
Read more: Here you will find a concert calendar
Parking space: Parking P2 at Tempelhof Airport (Werner-Loebermann-Weg) or Wohnmobil Oase (Hochstrasse 4).
See more in the neighbourhood: Get to know Berlin, an exciting capital city that offers culture, history and shopping.

6. The German Christmas cake Dresdner Christstollen

Dresden, located in eastern Germany, is home to the traditional German Christmas cake 'Christstollen'. The main ingredients of the cake, which can be purchased at 110 different bakeries in the cityare raisins, butter, sweet almonds, bitter almonds, candied orange and lemon peel, flour, water and yeast. To be sure of the quality, look out for the golden 6-digit certificate, which means the cake can always be traced back to its origin.

Every year a 'Stollen girl' is appointed to represent the Dresden Stollen. To get this role, you must have experience in baking Stollen, knowledge of the history of the pastry and a passion for the craft.

Want to learn more about Christstollen? Then visit the 'Stollen box', a six metre long, two metre wide and three metre high box. Inside you will find an exhibition about the Dresden Christstollen and the 600-year tradition of the pastry.

Jul i Tyskland - Christstollen — Dresden Stollen © eV / Tobias Ritz

Address: 110 different bakeries in Dresden. "Stollen Box" can be found at Centrum Galeriem, Prager Str. 15 (23 Nov 2020 - 9 Jan 2021).
Corona age: Face mask required
Read more: More info on Dresden Christollen
Parking space: Am Blüherpark caravan site (Zinzendorfstrasse 1) or Wiesentorstrasse site (Wiesentorstrasse)
See more in the neighbourhood: Experience beautiful architecture in Dresden or make excursions to nearby natural areas.

Have you experienced Christmas in Germany?

Have you experienced Christmas in Germany? Or do you have any other tips on German Christmas traditions? Let us know!

Helena

05 November 2020 6:00

Germany

feast, Christmas, Food and drink

Helena

Administrator

20 Comments

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dianasdrömmar says:

would love to go to Germany for the Christmas market hugs

05 November 2020 - 6:24

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  So do we! 🙂 But we have to save it for another year, strange year this year. Have fun!
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:11
  
  Reply
Annika i Spanien says:

Wow, what a fun post to read! I thought I felt big dust in my nose there at the beginning 🙂 Got the urge to go to Germany by train! Who knows, maybe next winter?

05 November 2020 - 7:19

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  So glad you liked it! 🙂 Sounds cosy to go by train! Do you know if there is a smooth line?
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:13
  
  Reply
Ann says:

We aimed to visit Christmas markets in Europe this year... well, what's a ball at the castle? 🙂

05 November 2020 - 10:06

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Such a strange year this year... but there will be more Christmases!
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:14
  
  Reply
Monica says:

We have been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber several times and of course visited the Käthe Wohlfart shop. You don't think it's true actually when you step in there - Christmas stuff everywhere in infinity it feels like! Especially strange with that environment in the middle of summer too. The city itself is absolutely lovely - the epitome of the German!

05 November 2020 - 10:15

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice that you have been to the Käthe Wohlfart shop! It seems really special! It must be different to come there in the summer 😉.
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:15
  
  Reply
Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Germany and the Christmas market is something you long for. Have only a few miles to Lübeck but this year we are probably not there. A few years (more than 10 years) ago there was a group that met in Heiligenhafen we were with a few times.

05 November 2020 - 10:15

Reply
- Evy+Knoph says:
  
  That's great! That duck with apple sounds good! Well I was in Hamburg in the beginning of Dec -17 (to see Yello first and foremost). There was a huge Christmas market on a large square not far from the Centre, Rathausmarkt. Then I also went to the Reperbahn's Christmas market, which was a bit different :-). In those neighbourhoods it was not so strict with Sonntag geschlossen....
  
  05 November 2020 - 12:26
  
  Reply
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Evy, those sound like interesting experiences! 🙂
    
    05 November 2020 - 18:18
    
    Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nils-Åke, perfect for you who are so close! At least in normal cases then, this year everything is different. But there will be more years!
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:17
  
  Reply
  - Lisa says:
    
    Nice post about Germany and their Christmas traditions. Got to learn a lot of new things. Last year we involuntarily stayed outside Münster and visited the Christmas markets both there and around and in Cologne. Incredibly many nice and good things to eat and drink. The atmosphere is so Christmassy at these markets and the smell of Glühwein, Lebkuchen and much more makes the experience something special.
    The 6th of December is St Nicholas's day and he brings presents. These are usually placed in a Christmas stocking. Many towns have also organised a St Nicholas event for children.
    Everything happens somehow before Christmas with the Christmas market, Christmas crafts, etc. Christmas itself, however, as I experienced it, is very low-key. During the years I spent in Germany, I actually missed the Swedish Christmas with the Swedish Christmas food and the more light-hearted Hi Tomtegubbar atmosphere.
    
    05 November 2020 - 22:51
    
    Reply
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Lisa, how nice to hear about your experiences! Traditions are interesting to me! I would love to experience more of e.g. German Christmas markets and pastries. But certainly the Swedish Christmas celebration, not least on Christmas Eve, is cosy! 🙂
      
      08 November 2020 - 10:45
      
      Reply
BP says:

This was a really fun post, as it brought back many memories from my years in Munich. Christstollen, for example, which was nothing like the version that Lidl sells nowadays.
Lebkuchen which is really a matter of taste and does not resemble the flavour of gingerbread, although the appearance is similar.
I had to Google Käthe Wolfarth. What a surprise I got there. It is a company that sells only Christmas decorations. Amazing that it can be sooooo big.

05 November 2020 - 14:52

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice that you liked it! 🙂 Interesting what you say about Lebkuchen and Christstollen. We have not tasted, but now we are curious! 🙂
  
  05 November 2020 - 18:19
  
  Reply
Lena - gott för själen says:

Great post! As you know, I have connections to Germany and have been learning the country's traditions for a couple of years now. Quite a lot is similar, I would say. But Nikolaus with the Christmas stocking there at the beginning of December I had never heard of until I met Andreas.

Hehe, those Stollen! Andreas loves them. He always brings them home when we've been there. I have only heard them talk about Lebkuchen. I don't think I've ever tasted them.

Hug Lena

07 November 2020 - 7:16

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Isn't it fun with different traditions! I learned about the Christmas stocking at an early age, because I had two classmates with German as their home language in primary school, and they told me about such things 😉 I still have to taste the pastries! 🙂
  
  08 November 2020 - 10:41
  
  Reply
Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:

I have been lots of times and in several different places to Christmas markets in Germany, I like it.
Also been to Rothenburg and visited Käthe Wohlfart, who also has a Christmas shop in Rudesheim am Rhein.
As I was previously married into a partly German family, Christmas always included Lebkuchen and Stollen. I always used to bake my own stollen.
Kale is one of the most delicious things I know!
Nice post!

07 November 2020 - 12:04

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Interesting to hear! I think it's fun with different traditions, not least around food. Hope to have the opportunity to try these pastries on occasion! 🙂
  
  08 November 2020 - 10:43
  
  Reply

Christmas in Germany - inspired by German Christmas traditions

Christmas in Germany

1. Käthe Wohlfart Christmas Village and Museum

2. Christmas cakes at Lebkuchen Schmidt

3. traditional German Christmas dinner

4. The Advent atmosphere at Chorin Monastery

5. Christmas concerts in Berlin

6. The German Christmas cake Dresdner Christstollen

Have you experienced Christmas in Germany?

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20 Comments

dianasdrömmar says:

Helena says:

Annika i Spanien says:

Helena says:

Ann says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Evy+Knoph says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

Lisa says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:

Helena says:

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