Customs and Holidays of Germany

Read in German!

The Germans are well known for their propensity to celebrate, and what better way to celebrate than on holidays? Like most other places, the Germans begin their year with New Year’s Day, or simply Neujahr. One of the most interesting traditions about this day is their choice of movie. That’s right, there is a traditional New Year’s movie to be watched, which in Germany, ironically enough, is the English language short Dinner for One, originally created in Britain. It is simply a short about a 90-year old celebrating New Year’s with friends, except all of her friends are in fact dead and so she can only really celebrate alone.

Next on the German calendar is the one that all Americans know – Groundhog’s Day. This well-known holiday goes back to German immigrants who brought to America a tradition of linking weather prediction to der Igel. Unfortunately for them, der Igel is actually a hedgehog, but being unable to find any of those upon arrival, they settled on the groundhog or woodchuck instead. Unlike America however, Germans have not one, but two days for predicting the weather.

On June 27th, Siebenschläfer (field mouse day), legend states that if it rains, then it will not stop raining for seven more weeks. Sharing the day with Groundhog’s Day is Mariä Lichtmess, the Catholic celebration and feast day of Candlemas. The day is spent taking the household candles and getting them blessed for the next year. It was an official holiday in Germany until 1912, but is still celebrated by the Catholic regions.

Moving along the calendar we arrive at another day familiar to English speaking audiences, St. Valentine’s Day. This has only recently become popular in Germany, but the customs of sending Valentines has remained very much intact. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a German holiday is Karneval, or die närrische Saison, meaning the foolish season. The celebration is always the week before Ash Wednesday, before the Lent season begins. Celebrations vary from city to city, but the constants are the masks, an important part of Carnivals around the world. In Cologne, the main event is the parade on Rose Monday, while farther south, the peak is Shrove Tuesday (similar to Mardi Gras).

Since Germany is a heavily Catholic and Protestant nation, one of the most important days of the year is Ostern, or Easter. Bunnies and eggs and flowers all make an appearance in Germany, and represent spring and fertility. The tradition of Easter eggs also comes from Germany and Austria. The first of May is a national holiday all over Europe, with Germany definitely included. This is the German Labor Day and a day to celebrate the coming of spring. Maypoles are erected, a tradition which can be traced back to pagan times. Der Tag der Arbeit is a time to celebrate the working classes, and in Germany, remember Blutmai, when in 1929 the SPD killed demonstrating members of the KPD, creating a divide Hitler would later use to gain support. Walpurgis is celebrated the night before May Day, and is a supernatural night when the focus is on driving out evil spirits, which can be achieved by making as much noise as possible. The night is also full of tricksters as well.

Skipping through a lull in the summer, we come to Oktoberfest, a world-famous German festival. In October of 1810 the Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese and hosted an enormous party to celebrate. The party was so popular it became an annual event, and today we know it as Oktoberfest (which starts in September). It runs for 16 to 18 days, ending the first Sunday in October. Oktoberfest includes, of course, plenty of beer, but also carnival-like rides and a ceremony where the mayor of Munich taps the first keg to begin the celebration.

Der Tag der deutschen Einheit (Unity Day) is the most important holiday of the year. It is the day when the wall came down, and is celebrated by Germans who take to the streets to party. Finally, the last important holiday of the German calendar is Weihnachten, or Christmas. The customs vary a little from America, although the Christmas tree is a direct import from Germany. Instead of hanging stockings on the mantel, children leave shoes out for St. Nick to fill with goodies ( on December 5th). The presents from the Christ Child are opened on Christmas Eve, followed by a dinner. Midnight Mass is also a very important custom for Catholics.

There you have it! Next time you are in Germany, remember to stick around for a holiday or two. You might be surprised by some similarities to home.

DINNER FOR ONE

Dinner for One (German: Der 90. Geburtstag) starring Freddie Frinton and May Warden

Watch the classic on YouTube »