If you're thinking about taking a festive holiday this year, you should seriously consider spending Christmas in Germany.
Not only does the country have some of Europe's best Christmas markets, rich seasonal food and open-air ice rinks in the middle of historic squares, it also has Christmas traditions that have been handed down for generations and are still very much alive.
In this guide we'll cover how Christmas is celebrated in Germany, the German Christmas traditions worth planning around, how it differs from a British Christmas, and the best places to spend Christmas in Germany in 2026, which are:
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What To Know About Christmas in Germany
Is Germany a good place to go for Christmas?
Yes. Germany is one of the strongest Christmas destinations in Europe, and it works for very different kinds of trip. Cities like Nuremberg, Cologne and Munich give you historic centres in full festive swing, while smaller places like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Breitnau are quieter and more picturesque. Between mulled wine at the markets, cathedrals and museums, and the food, it holds up whether you're travelling with kids, as a couple or on your own. It's also close: most of the cities below are a short flight from the UK.
Do Germans celebrate Christmas for 3 days?
Yes, Christmas in Germany runs across three days. It begins on 24 December with Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), when families exchange Christmas gift vouchers and presents and many attend a church service. 25 December, Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtstag), is a public holiday spent at home with family. 26 December, Zweiter Weihnachtstag, is the German equivalent of Boxing Day and also a public holiday, usually given over to visiting extended family rather than the sales.
Why do Germans celebrate Christmas on the 24th?
In Germany, Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) is the main event. Christmas is understood to begin on the evening of 24 December, so that is when families gather for the big meal, open their Christmas presents and go to church. If you're buying for someone who celebrates this way, personalised Christmas gifts work well, as long as they arrive in time for the 24th.
What do Germans call Santa?
Germans call Father Christmas "Der Weihnachtsmann", which translates as "The Christmas Man". He works much as Father Christmas does in the UK, visiting children on Christmas Eve with presents. In some regions, particularly Catholic ones in the south, gifts are instead brought by the Christkind, a Christ-child figure who also opens the Nuremberg market each year.
What is the bad Santa tradition in Germany?
Germany's Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, features a horned figure called Krampus who accompanies St. Nicholas on the evening of 5 December. Where St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children, Krampus is there to frighten the rest. In Alpine regions especially, it plays out as a noisy street parade of costumed Krampusse, and it's worth seeking out if you're in the south at the start of December.
What do Germans say instead of "Merry Christmas"?
"Frohe Weihnachten" is the standard greeting, and "Frohes Fest" is a more casual version you'll hear a lot at the markets. Around New Year, people switch to "Guten Rutsch", which roughly means "a good slide" into the new year. Getting the pronunciation wrong is fine; it's usually met with a smile.
How a German Christmas Differs from a British One
A few differences are worth knowing before you book, because several of them change how you should plan your days.
- The main event is the evening of the 24th, not the morning of the 25th. Presents are opened on Christmas Eve. If you want to see Germany at its most festive, the 24th is the day to be somewhere.
- The markets close before Christmas does. Most wind down shortly before Christmas Eve rather than running into the new year, so a trip planned for the week between Christmas and New Year can miss them entirely.
- There is no Boxing Day shopping. The 25th and 26th are both public holidays, shops close and public transport runs a reduced service. Book Christmas dinner ahead or stay somewhere that serves it.
- Advent is a season, not a countdown. It starts four Sundays before Christmas and is marked weekly at home with the Adventskranz. Arriving in early December means markets in full flow.
- The markets are the main event, not a weekend add-on. Many of Britain's own Christmas markets borrow the German format; in Germany you get the originals, often in the same square they've used for centuries.
- Stollen and Lebkuchen, not mince pies and pudding. The sweet side of Christmas is spiced biscuits and fruit bread, and every region has its own versions.
- Snow is not a given. Southern Germany and the Alps have the best chance of it; Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin are more likely to be cold and grey than white.
The Most Popular Christmas Traditions in Germany
Christmas in Germany is built on traditions that have been passed down through generations, from the start of Advent through to Epiphany in January. These are the ones you're most likely to run into as a visitor.
1. Advent
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and officially opens the Christmas season. It is a time when families gather to:
- Celebrate traditions
- Light a candle on the Advent wreath each Sunday
- Count down the days to Christmas with an Advent calendar, another German invention
Where does the Advent wreath candle holder originate from?
An Advent wreath is a wreath usually woven from fir greenery, on which four candles are placed, with one more lit every Sunday before 24 December. Its origins go back to the 19th century. The Protestant pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern ran a home for children in need in Hamburg, and to help the children count down to Christmas he built what we now know as the Advent wreath. The first one was made of wood and hung from the ceiling, but the custom stuck. If you're spending Christmas in Germany, you can make your own Advent wreath or buy a ready-made one from a florist.
2. Baking Traditional German Christmas Cookies
Getting together with friends or family to bake Plätzchen, traditional German Christmas biscuits, is one of the best-loved German Christmas traditions. They're baked in big batches through December and shared with neighbours and colleagues. The most popular are vanilla crescents (Vanillekipferl), speculoos (Spekulatius), cinnamon stars (Zimtsterne), nut cookies and coconut macaroons, alongside spiced Lebkuchen gingerbread.
3. Visiting German Christmas Markets
Germany is home to many of the world's best Christmas markets, and many Germans spend a large part of the run-up to Christmas at them. Most open in late November, so you have plenty of time to explore several and pick up some Christmas gifts for friends along the way.
4. Cleaning Boots for St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas comes on 6 December, and you'd better have a clean boot on your doorstep. Children take this German Christmas tradition very seriously, because St. Nicholas fills clean boots overnight with sweets and small gifts, and a dirty boot risks being left empty. So if you're spending Christmas in Germany, don't forget to clean your boots on the evening of the 5th.
5. Attending a Christmas Eve Service in Church
For many Germans, Christmas is still a religious festival, which is why chapels and churches all over the country hold services on Christmas Eve. Even if you're not religious, it's worth attending one at least once when spending Christmas in Germany: they're beautiful to watch and give you a real sense of a traditional German Christmas.
6. Giving Christmas Presents
Finally, the presents. In the UK, Christmas gifts are usually opened on Christmas morning. In Germany, the whole family gathers around the tree on the evening of 24 December and unwraps the presents together. It's then typical for the children to:
- Recite poems
- Play an instrument
- Sing a Christmas carol
The evening is then rounded off with a classic German Christmas meal. Christmas Day and the 26th are spent visiting the rest of the family.
Enjoying a traditional German Christmas dinner
Apart from the presents, this is what most people look forward to: the meal on Christmas Eve, and the long lunches on the two days after it. German Christmas food differs from region to region, but the most typical dishes are:
- Potato salad with sausages, the classic simple Christmas Eve supper
- Roast goose (Weihnachtsgans) or duck with potato dumplings and red cabbage
- Carp, in some regions
- Raclette or fondue
On the sweet side, look for Stollen, the dense fruit bread dusted with icing sugar that Dresden is famous for, and Nuremberg Lebkuchen.
More traditions you'll notice as a visitor
- Glühwein: hot spiced wine, served at the markets in a souvenir mug you pay a deposit on and can either return or keep.
- The Christmas tree (Tannenbaum): traditionally decorated on Christmas Eve itself rather than weeks beforehand.
- Epiphany (Dreikönigstag): on 6 January, children dressed as the Three Kings sing door to door and chalk a blessing above the doorway, closing the season.
Now that we've unpacked the most important German Christmas traditions, let's explore the 10 best places to spend Christmas in Germany.
The Best Places to Spend Christmas in Germany
Each of these gives you a different version of a German Christmas, from big-city markets to a village in the Black Forest. If you're looking for the right place to spend the season, start here. Or, if you want to skip the research, let AI plan the trip for you.
1. Nuremberg
First on our list of the best places to spend Christmas in Germany is Nuremberg. It's famous for its Christkindlesmarkt, but the city's winter appeal runs well past the market itself. Medieval walls, wooden stalls and the local gingerbread (Lebkuchen) make the old town feel like a different century for a few weeks. The season opens with the Christkind delivering a prologue from the balcony of the Church of Our Lady, which is worth timing your arrival around.
Our Hotel Pick for Christmas in Nuremberg
To be in the middle of it, stay at the Dürer Hotel Nürnberg. This boutique hotel sits in the heart of the Old Town, a short walk from the Christmas market and the city's historic sights, and it's a comfortable, characterful base for a festive city break.
2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
For a medieval Christmas in Germany, base yourself in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This walled Bavarian town is all half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes, is said to be one of Germany's best-preserved towns, and is a much-loved Christmas destination for couples.
Make sure you visit the Reiterlesmarkt, one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, which showcases local crafts and opens before the first Sunday of Advent. It usually runs between the Market Square and the Church Square with over 50 stalls. Once you've walked the stalls, head to the Town Hall, where the windows are decorated with Christmas artwork by local children.
Our Rothenburg ob der Tauber Hotel Pick
Stay at the Hotel Herrnschloesschen in Rothenburg ob der Tauber's old town. You'll be steps from the Church of St. Jakob and about a five-minute walk from the Town Hall, which puts the whole town within reach on foot.
3. Cologne
Another top choice among German Christmas destinations is Cologne. The city runs several Christmas markets, the best known in the shadow of Cologne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Walk the Rhine promenade for the winter views, warm up with a Glühwein at a riverside café, and fill the gaps with the city's museums and theatres.
For a market-by-market breakdown, see our guide to the Cologne Christmas markets.
Our Cologne Hotel Pick
For a special Christmas stay in Cologne, book a room at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom. Right next to the cathedral, this grand hotel combines old-world elegance with modern comforts, cathedral views from many of its rooms, and fine dining on site.
4. Dresden
Dresden is a top German Christmas destination packed with things to do. Its Striezelmarkt is one of the country's oldest Christmas markets, and the historic architecture makes a fine backdrop for winter photos. Visit the Frauenkirche and take in the views from its dome, try Dresden's famous Stollen (fruit bread), and spend the colder hours in the city's museums and theatres.
Our Hotel Pick for Christmas in Dresden
For a luxurious stay in Dresden this Christmas, book the historic Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski. In the heart of the city, it offers grand rooms, attentive service and festive decorations, with Dresden's Christmas markets just steps away.
5. Munich
Famous for Oktoberfest, Munich is also a superb winter holiday destination. This Bavarian city blends modern and traditional easily. The Marienplatz Christmas market sits right in the centre, where the Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall chimes above the stalls.
Beyond the markets, Munich's museums and theatres give you somewhere warm to spend the afternoon. And when it's time to eat, cosy up with a mulled wine or hearty Bavarian dishes like sauerkraut and sausages. Its landmarks and festive atmosphere make it an easy choice for a winter break in Germany, and it's the best-connected city on this list for flights from the UK.
Our Hotel Pick for Spending Christmas in Munich
For a Christmas filled with Bavarian warmth and hospitality, look no further than the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München. This landmark hotel combines luxury and tradition, with cosy rooms, views over the city, excellent dining and a spa, a short walk from the old town.
6. Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is another great option for Christmas in Germany, with Christmas markets spread across the city centre offering crafts, food and festive entertainment. The luxury shopping street Königsallee is lit up for the season, which makes for a good evening stroll. Don't miss the "Engelchenmarkt" at Heinrich-Heine-Platz, where angel-themed decorations set it apart from the rest.
Additional Activities in Düsseldorf:
- Take a walk along the Rhine promenade and see the festive lights reflecting on the water.
- Visit the Kunstpalast Museum and its art collections.
- Go ice skating at the city-centre rink.
Where to Stay in Düsseldorf:
Stay at the Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel, for a special Christmas stay in Düsseldorf. In the heart of the city, it offers refined rooms, exceptional service, and easy access to the city's main Christmas markets.
7. Stuttgart
Stuttgart is a great city to visit at Christmas, with festive streets and plenty of culture. The centre is decorated for the season, and the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine follows you across the decorated squares.
The city's Christmas market also has a children's fairy-tale land, which makes it a good pick for families. Away from the stalls, you can visit the Old Castle, walk the city's parks, or spend a few hours in its museums.
Additional Activities in Stuttgart:
- Visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum and learn the history of the car brand.
- Explore the Stuttgart Art Museum, with its collection of modern and contemporary art.
- Stroll through the Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden, whose glasshouses are a warm escape in winter.
Our Stuttgart Hotel Pick:
For a comfortable stay in Stuttgart at Christmas, book a room at the Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten. Close to Schlossplatz, it offers elegant rooms and easy access to the city's Christmas market.
8. Breitnau
Breitnau is the Black Forest Christmas option, and the change of pace is the point. It's a small village with a good chance of snow, and the Ravennaschlucht Christmas market nearby is set in a gorge underneath a railway viaduct, as close to a film set as a German market gets. It runs on selected weekends rather than daily, so this one needs planning around rather than dropping in on.
Additional Activities in Breitnau:
- Hike the Black Forest trails, which are at their best under snow.
- Visit the Hofgut Sternen Glassblowing Studio and watch glass ornaments being made in front of you.
- Book a spa afternoon at a local hotel, the right way to end a cold day.
Our Breitnau Hotel Pick:
Stay at Hofgut Sternen, a historic inn in the heart of the Black Forest. With cosy rooms and warm hospitality, it's the right place for a peaceful, picturesque Christmas in Germany.
9. Mosel
The Mosel region, known for its vineyards and small riverside towns, offers a quieter Christmas. The markets in towns like Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues are small and welcoming, set against medieval buildings and terraced vineyards. Add wine tastings and walks along the river and you have a slower, more grown-up version of a German Christmas.
Additional Activities in Mosel:
- Take a boat trip along the Mosel River for the valley views.
- Visit Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, which looks its best lit up for the holidays.
- Explore the historic wine cellars and taste the region's famous Rieslings.
Where to Stay in Mosel Germany for Christmas
For a relaxing Christmas stay in the Mosel region, choose the Weinromantikhotel Richtershof in Mülheim. This elegant hotel offers refined rooms, excellent dining, and easy access to the region's Christmas markets and vineyards.
10. Essen
Essen's Christmas market is known for its Christmas lights and a wide range of stalls selling international crafts and food, stretching right through the city centre. The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, also hosts its own German Christmas market, which pairs industrial history with the festive season.
Additional Things to do in Essen:
- Visit the Museum Folkwang and its collection of modern and contemporary art.
- Take a tour of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex and learn about its history.
- Explore the Grugapark, a large botanical garden and park.
Where to Stay in Essen for Christmas
For a comfortable, stylish stay in Essen, book a room at the Atlantic Congress Hotel Essen. Close to the Grugapark and within easy reach of the city's Christmas markets, it offers modern amenities and good service for a relaxed holiday stay.
Planning Your Christmas Trip to Germany from the UK
A few practical things decide whether this trip works, and most of them come down to dates.
- When to go. The sweet spot is the first three weeks of December. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, the markets are open daily by early December, and you get the full run of them without the closures of Christmas week itself. If you want to be in Germany for Heiligabend, arrive a few days before, not on the 23rd.
- Check each market's dates before you book anything. Opening and closing dates vary by city and change every year, and most markets close before Christmas Eve. Every city has an official market site with the current year's dates, and that is the thing to confirm first, before flights and before hotels.
- Getting there. Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Hamburg all have direct flights from major UK airports. Cologne and Düsseldorf are quick from Frankfurt by train; Nuremberg and Rothenburg are easiest from Munich. Germany's rail network does the rest, and it's a much better way to hop between cities in December than driving.
- What to pack. Layers, waterproof shoes and gloves. Daytime temperatures usually sit around 0 to 7 °C, and you'll be standing outside in them for hours at a time.
- If you're giving the trip rather than taking it, a Flightgift voucher lets the recipient pick their own dates and route, and it can be redeemed for flights with airlines such as British Airways and Ryanair, booked through Flightgift. That matters more for a Christmas trip than most, because the right week depends on their time off rather than yours.
Will you spend Christmas in Germany in 2026?
These ten places each give you a different version of the same season, from a market in a Black Forest gorge to a cathedral square packed with people drinking Glühwein at four in the afternoon. Whether you want the historic set piece, a quiet valley or a city you can spend a week in, Germany at Christmas is worth building a trip around.
It also pairs easily with Austria's Christmas markets, a short hop from Munich, or with Europe's other winter destinations if you want to extend the trip. Still weighing it up? Compare it with Christmas in France.
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FAQs About Spending Christmas in Germany
When do the Christmas markets open in Germany?
Most of the big Christmas markets open in the week before the first Sunday of Advent, so in late November, and run until 22, 23 or 24 December. Some markets in Alpine and Black Forest villages only open on selected Advent weekends, and a few cities keep a winter market going into early January. Dates move every year, so check the official site of the market you're travelling for before you book.
Which German city is best for Christmas?
Nuremberg is the classic answer, for its Christkindlesmarkt and medieval old town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most picturesque, Cologne and Munich are the easiest to reach from the UK and have the most to do beyond the markets, and Breitnau in the Black Forest is the best bet for a quiet, snowy Christmas.
What is there to do in Germany on Christmas Day?
Christmas Day is quiet: it's a public holiday, most shops close and the markets have usually finished. It's a day for a long lunch, a winter walk, a church service or a concert. Hotels usually serve a Christmas meal for guests, and some museums and attractions open, so check ahead and book any restaurant well in advance.
Where should I stay in Germany for Christmas?
Stay in or next to the old town, within walking distance of the main market, so you can come and go in the evenings when the markets are at their best. Every city on this list has a hotel pick above chosen for exactly that. Book early, as the best-located hotels fill up for December weekends.
Will there be snow in Germany at Christmas?
It depends where you go. Southern Germany, the Alps and higher ground like the Black Forest have the best chance. In Berlin, Frankfurt or Cologne you're more likely to get cold and grey than white. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 0 to 7 °C.
Are shops and restaurants open on Christmas Day in Germany?
Most shops, supermarkets and many restaurants close on 25 and 26 December, as both are public holidays, and many also close early on Christmas Eve. Plan ahead if you need anything. Hotels usually serve Christmas meals for guests and some attractions stay open, but the pace slows right down.
What are the most traditional German Christmas foods?
Look out for Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), Stollen (a dense fruit bread), roast goose over the holidays, potato salad with sausages on Christmas Eve, and bratwurst at the markets. And a mug of hot Glühwein, which is as much a part of the experience as anything on a plate.
Is Christmas in Germany good for kids?
Very. St. Nicholas Day, when children leave out their boots to be filled with treats, falls early in December, and many markets have carousels, toy stalls and children's areas. Stuttgart's fairy-tale land is built for it.