Why does the main Christmas day vary?

It varies by country. In our records the main celebration falls on the evening of December 24 in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Poland, and on December 25 in the United Kingdom, the United States, Slovenia and the Philippines. Italy and Mexico keep major gift moments at Epiphany on January 6.

Who brings gifts in different countries?

The gift bringer differs by country and sometimes by region: the Christkind or Weihnachtsmann in Germany, Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, Père Noël in France, La Befana at Epiphany in Italy, Los Reyes Magos in Mexico, and Święty Mikołaj, the Aniołek or Gwiazdor in Poland.

Can I read more about a single country?

Yes. Every country in the explorer has a full guide with its traditions, food, gift customs and the list of official sources used.

Christmas traditions explorer

Christmas traditions from around the world

Christmas traditions around the world with festive travel atmosphere

Choose one of the 14 countries we keep sourced records for to see when Christmas is celebrated, what is on the table and who brings the gifts. Every card links to the full guide, where the sources are listed.

Christmas in Germany

Main date: December 25 (with main celebration on December 24)
Gift bringer: Christkind (in many regions) or Weihnachtsmann
Main traditions: Families light a candle on the Advent wreath each Sunday before Christmas. Children open windows on an Adventskalender from December 1. Cities host outdoor Weihnachtsmärkte selling crafts, ornaments and Glühwein. Many families decorate the tree on Christmas Eve afternoon and exchange gifts that evening, followed by a church service.
Festive food: Christmas Eve dinner is often simple, such as potato salad with sausages. Christmas Day brings roast goose or duck with red cabbage and dumplings. Stollen, Lebkuchen and Spekulatius are baked through Advent.
Gift customs: Gifts are exchanged on the evening of December 24. Small children are told the Christkind brings the presents. In some regions Sankt Nikolaus also fills shoes left out on the night of December 5.
Good to know: The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, with records going back to the 17th century.

Read the full guide to Christmas in Germany

Go deeper

Read about how Christmas connects across cultures, or compare food traditions and figures from country to country.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the main Christmas day vary?: It varies by country. In our records the main celebration falls on the evening of December 24 in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Poland, and on December 25 in the United Kingdom, the United States, Slovenia and the Philippines. Italy and Mexico keep major gift moments at Epiphany on January 6.
Who brings gifts in different countries?: The gift bringer differs by country and sometimes by region: the Christkind or Weihnachtsmann in Germany, Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, Père Noël in France, La Befana at Epiphany in Italy, Los Reyes Magos in Mexico, and Święty Mikołaj, the Aniołek or Gwiazdor in Poland.
Can I read more about a single country?: Yes. Every country in the explorer has a full guide with its traditions, food, gift customs and the list of official sources used.