Christmas and New Year
- Advent: der Adventskalender and der Adventskranz (an advent wreath with four candles). On 6 December (Nikolaustag), children put out a boot, and Nikolaus fills it with sweets.
- Heiligabend (Christmas Eve, 24 December) is when most German families give presents (die Bescherung), around der Weihnachtsbaum (the Christmas tree).
- der Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) sells Glühwein (mulled wine), Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and gifts.
- Silvester (New Year's Eve): das Feuerwerk (fireworks) at midnight. Neujahr (New Year's Day). Frohes neues Jahr! (Happy New Year!)
Other festivals
- Ostern (Easter): der Osterhase (the Easter bunny) hides Ostereier (Easter eggs).
- Karneval / Fasching (February, before Lent): people dress up (sich verkleiden) and there are parades (Umzüge), especially on Rosenmontag in Cologne.
- das Oktoberfest in Munich starts in September: beer tents, fairground rides and traditional clothes (Lederhosen and Dirndl).
- der Tag der Deutschen Einheit (3 October) celebrates the reunification of Germany in 1990.
- Other festivals: Ramadan and das Zuckerfest (Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan), Diwali, Chanukka (Hanukkah), das chinesische Neujahrsfest.
- Personal celebrations: der Geburtstag (birthday), die Hochzeit (wedding), der Muttertag (Mother's Day).
Useful phrases
- feiern (to celebrate), schenken (to give as a present), das Geschenk (present), Geschenke bekommen (to get presents), den Baum schmücken (to decorate the tree).
- die Familie besuchen (to visit family), ein traditionelles Essen essen (to eat a traditional meal), in die Kirche / Moschee / Synagoge gehen.
- Frohe Weihnachten! (Happy Christmas!) Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!) Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! (Happy birthday!)
- Mein Lieblingsfest ist…, weil… (my favourite festival is… because…).
Grammar to use
- The perfect tense for one event: Letztes Jahr haben wir Weihnachten bei meinen Großeltern gefeiert.
- The imperfect for description: Es war toll. Es gab viel zu essen (there was a lot to eat).
- Man (people / you): Man isst Lebkuchen (people eat gingerbread).
- Dates: am ersten Januar, am dritten Oktober, am vierundzwanzigsten Dezember.
Key terms
- das Fest
- festival (celebration)
- feiern
- to celebrate
- Weihnachten
- Christmas
- Heiligabend
- Christmas Eve
- Silvester
- New Year's Eve
- Ostern
- Easter
- der Weihnachtsmarkt
- Christmas market
- das Feuerwerk
- fireworks
- der Umzug
- parade (also moving house)
- schenken
- to give (a present)
- das Geschenk
- present
- sich verkleiden
- to dress up (in costume)
- der Geburtstag
- birthday
- der Feiertag
- public holiday