German Holidays

Easter (Ostern)

Easter is one of the most important holidays in Germany. On Easter Day, families get together and eat an Easter meal together. After the meal, the children search for Easter eggs that the Easter Bunny (Osterhase) has left for them. Many families also go out together in the afternoon for a relaxing Easter walk.

In Bavaria, many towns begin their celebration of Easter early in the morning on that day. Before the sun comes up in the morning, a fire is lit somewhere in town (usually in a sports field or some other open area). It is called the Easter Fire and symbolizes the triumph of life over death. People at the fire then light candles and proceed to church.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is not a holiday, but a festival that is celebrated in Bavaria and now also in many parts of the United States. The festival first began as a celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. All citizens of Bavaria were welcomed to the fields in front of Munich's city gates to join in the celebration. These fields are now known as the Theresienwiese (Therese's fields), although the name is often shortened to "Wies'n." The final event of the day was a horse race, which was such a success that it was decided they would be held again the following year.

The races were indeed held the next year, and an Agricultural Show was added in an effort to promote Bavarian agriculture. Eventually, these festivities resulted in the celebration becoming an annual event (although horse races are no longer a part of the festival) known as Oktoberfest.

Many American cities celebrate Oktoberfest, including cities in Minnesota. This festival is a way for German-Americans to display cultural pride and to maintain a connection to Bavaria and even other German states.

St. Nikolaus Day (Nikolaustag)

December 6 is the celebration of St. Nikolaus (English = St. Nicholas), a bishop from Asia Minor who died on that day in 343 A.D. St. Nikolaus became known for performing good deeds during his lifetime, especially for people in need. One of St. Nikolaus' most famous acts of kindness involved three young women whose father could not afford marriage dowries for them. The father had decided to send his daughters to a brothel for employment because he could not afford these dowries, but when Nikolaus heard of their plight he decided to help. Sneaking over to the family's home in the middle of the night, Nikolaus threw three bundles of money through the family's window, providing enough money for a dowry for each woman. Thus, the daughters were able to avoid prostitution and get married.

In Germany, the celebration of this saint includes St. Nikolaus going from door to door and asking the children of the town if they have been good. The children may also perform a song, poem, or some other such skill for St. Nikolaus to show themselves worthy, obedient children. Small gifts are then distributed to those children who have been well-behaved.

St. Nikolaus may also have a companion with him when he visits the children. In Germany, St. Nikolaus' companion is Knecht Ruprecht. In earlier times, Ruprecht was a maleficent creature in a ragged robe who carried a large sack where he put all of the bad children. However, Ruprecht has evolved into the companion of the Christkindl, or Christ Child, and is now often referred to as the Weinachtsmann (Father Christmas or Santa Claus).

In Bavaria and Austria, St. Nikolaus is accompanied by Krampus (Austria) or Klaubauf (Bavaria). This creature is a monster with horns and bells and/or chains hanging from his body. His role is to give sticks to the children who St. Nikolaus finds have been naughty.

Many German-American cities in Minnesota, such as New Ulm, continue the tradition of St. Nikolaus by including the celebration of St. Nikolaus Day as part of their Christmas holiday celebrations.

Christmas (Weihnachten)

The observance of Christmas in Germany begins with Advent. It is at this time that many young children are given Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. These calendars have little windows for each day of "Adventszeit" (Advent time, or the period from Advent to Christmas) and the children open a new window every day, revealing a little piece of chocolate or other treat. These Advent calendars help the children pass the days until Christmas.

The official Christmas holiday in Germany is on December 25 and 26, on which days people are given the day off of work. However, most people in Germany begin their observance of Christmas on December 24, the Heiliger Abend (Holy Evening). During this time, families get together for a Christmas dinner, to exchange gifts by the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree), and to go to church services in the evening. Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann, also appears that night to bring the good children Christmas presents. On December 25 and 26, many people visit those friends and relatives they did not see on December 24.

Resources

Easter and Christmas images courtesy of The Best Collection of Webimages.

Oktoberfest images courtesy of Leavenworth, Washington.

St. Nikolaus image courtesy of Steven Schmidt and IUPUI Max Kade German-American Center.