Germans really get into the holiday spirit, starting with Advent. Those special wreaths and calendars build excitement each day. And the German Christmas markets— little wooden stalls like a magical village offering handmade toys and sweet treats.

But the real star of German Christmas is the food—roasted goose, hearty side dishes, baked goods, and cozy drinks. Christmas food in Germany is all about comfort and tradition, making the holidays feel extra special. It’s a tasty mix of savory and sweet, perfect for bringing warmth and joy to the season.

Ready for a Christmas like no other? Learn about the traditional foods that make a German Christmas so special!

What is a Traditional German Christmas?

When winter arrives in Germany, Christmas trees sparkle with lights, and the air smells like baked apples and gingerbread, you know it’s the holiday season. But what makes traditional German Christmas celebrations so special?

Advent Calendar

In Germany, an Advent calendar is a must-have for the Christmas season. Preparations start at the end of November to ensure the calendar and its 24 little surprises are ready by December 1st. There’s a small gift every day to make the wait until Christmas Eve more fun for children and adults! Many are handmade with love, featuring 24 little pouches or packages filled with mini Christmas presents for loved ones. 

St. Nicholas Day

On December 5th, kids in Germany celebrate St. Nicholas Day by leaving boots in front of their bedroom doors. They hope St. Nicholas will visit and leave a small gift in their boots. It’s a fun twist on the usual Santa Claus tradition!

Advent Wreath

Have you ever heard the kids in Germany reciting “Advent, Advent, a little light is burning? First one, then two, then three, then four, then Father Christmas is at the door.”? It’s a signal they can hardly wait for the fourth Sunday of Advent when all four candles on the fir wreath are lit, signaling that Christmas day is near. This is a 200-year-old tradition where one candle is lit each Sunday in Advent. 

Christmas Eve

Each country has unique Christmas traditions, and like the Italian holiday tradition, Christmas Eve, known as Heiliger Abend, is the night of all nights in Germany as well. It’s a busy day full of celebrations. Families spend the day decorating the Christmas tree, cooking, and tidying up the house. When night falls, everyone gathers around the tree. Many Germans, being Catholic, attend Midnight Mass, so they usually avoid eating meat before attending church services.

What are Traditional Christmas Foods in Germany?

One of the most exciting parts of Christmas time in Germany is the Christmas Eve dinner! It’s a time for families to come together, share stories, and enjoy tasty food. While the exact menu can differ by region and family, there are some classic German foods that you’ll often find on the table.

Weihnachtsgans German Roast Goose

In German homes, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a roast goose. This tasty tradition has been around for ages, thanks to its rich flavor and crispy skin. Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I was chowing down on goose when she heard England had defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. She ordered everyone in England to have a Christmas goose for dinner, and somehow, the tradition found its way to Germany.

But really, the best reason to enjoy roast goose as the main course is how it tastes. It’s juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and gives you amazing drippings for other dishes. Some people use thyme or marjoram for a slightly earthy touch, while others prefer rosemary, onions, and apples. Fun fact: Gordon Ramsay even adds Chinese five-spice powder!

Beef Rouladen

Beef Rouladen is a classic German traditional dish that involves thinly sliced beef rolled around a savory filling of mustard, bacon, pickles, and onions. It’s then braised in a rich sauce until tender and flavorful. This hearty and comforting dish is a beloved choice for special occasions, making it a traditional German Christmas food.

This traditional recipe brings festive warmth to the table, often enjoyed with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, spätzle, and red cabbage. 

Duck Breast

While roast goose is a quintessential German Christmas dish, duck breast offers a delicious and quicker alternative. This recipe typically takes 30 minutes to prepare, so it’s perfect for a busy Christmas season.

The star of the show is the crispy duck skin, achieved by scoring the fat and searing it in a hot pan. The sweet and tangy fruit (like cherries or cranberry) beautifully complements the richness of the duck.

German Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelklöße)

Kartoffelklöße, or potato dumplings, are a must-have at a traditional German Christmas dinner. These fluffy delights are the perfect accompaniment for rich dishes like roasted goose or duck.

Popular across Germany but especially loved by locals in Bavaria, Thuringia, and the Rhineland, Kartoffelklöße comes in different styles. Some use cooked potatoes, some use raw, and some mix both. You can also add beaten eggs, potato starch (or another thickener), or flour, plus herbs like chives or parsley. For an extra twist, some recipes even include croutons, sauerkraut, or ham inside the dumplings.

Making Kartoffelklöße is easy, but they bring a cozy, homemade feel to your Christmas meal.

German Braised Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

In German Christmas traditions, braised Red Cabbage is a Christmas favorite. This classic side dish, known as Rotkohl, pairs perfectly with roast duck, Sauerbraten, and German potato dumplings. It’s super easy to make, and you can prepare it in advance or even freeze it.

Rotkohl stands out with its sweet and sour flavor, thanks to the apples, vinegar, and spices used in the braising process. Plus, its bright purple color adds a festive splash to your holiday table, making it not just delicious but also eye-catching.

Christmas Carp (Weihnachtskarpfen)

Even though the festive season is full of sweet treats, Advent is actually a time of fasting and abstinence, so on Christmas Eve, many people stick to fish instead of meat. In Germany, Weihnachtskarpfen, or Christmas Carp, is a cherished dish, especially on Christmas Eve in Catholic areas. 

Carp is the popular choice of fish for this meal. It’s often coated in breadcrumbs and fried, then served with cucumber or potato salad or simply with boiled potatoes and lemon. In some regions, the carp is boiled in a tasty broth with vegetables, herbs, and white wine, turning it a lovely blue color.

A fun old tradition is to keep the carp’s scales, as they’re believed to bring luck and prosperity for the year ahead.

Raclette

In Germany, a fun way to celebrate is with a Raclette dinner. Guests gather around a special grill, melting their own cheese and mixing it with their favorite toppings. Everyone gets their own little pan to melt thick slices of cheese right at the table, making it a tasty and interactive holiday tradition!

Bratapfelkuchen 

Christmas and winter just wouldn’t be the same without the delicious smell of apples baking in the oven after a fun day of sledding or a walk through the woods. In Germany, Bratapfelkuchen, or baked apple cake, is a favorite holiday treat. This special cake features whole apples stuffed with a creamy pudding filling, all nestled in buttery cake.

What makes Bratapfelkuchen so special is its comforting, nostalgic flavors. The sweet apples, rich custard, and buttery cake mix perfectly together, while warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add to the cozy holiday feel. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy on chilly winter days!

Christmas Stollen (Christstollen)

Sweet cakes and breads are a big part of Christmas baking worldwide. German Stollen, or Christstollen, has been a holiday favorite for nearly 700 years and is loved around the globe.

This traditional Christmas bread is made with yeast and packed with dried fruits, candied citrus peel, nuts, and spices. It’s famously dusted with powdered sugar, making it look like a snowy German landscape. The spices give it a warm, festive flavor, perfect for the holiday season.

German Gingerbread (Lebkuchen)

In Germany, Christmas means enjoying Nuremberg Lebkuchen, the city’s famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been a holiday favorite for over 600 years and are loved by everyone.

There’s an old tale that Lebkuchen was named after Elisabeth, the daughter of a Nuremberg baker. When she fell seriously ill, her father, desperate to help her, created a special Lebkuchen recipe with the finest ingredients and no flour. Thanks to this new recipe, she recovered. Lebkuchen is made with hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, candied orange and lemon peel, honey, flour, sugar, eggs, and marzipan.

What Do Germans Drink on Christmas?

Germans have a particular fondness for warm, comforting drinks during the Christmas season. The cold winter weather makes these most popular drinks especially inviting.

• Mulled Wine: Known as Glühwein in Germany, this drink is red wine warmed up with spices, lemon, and sugar. Common spices are cinnamon and cloves, and sometimes you’ll find aniseed or vanilla.
• Children’s Punch: For a non-alcoholic option, try Kinderpunsch. It’s made with fruit tea, fruit juice, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and sugar, all mixed and heated for a sweet, warm treat.
• German Eggnog: German eggnog is lighter and less creamy than the American version. Made with white wine instead of rum, it’s a smooth alternative if you’re looking for something creamy but not too heavy.
• Jägertee: Also known as Jägertee, this is a warm, spiced black tea mixed with rum. It’s a great choice if you prefer a less sweet, warming drink.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Christmas in Germany