German Celebrations

January 22nd in Germany - Der 22. Januar

January 22nd is not a public holiday, but it is an important day for Germany and France. This is the day when we celebrate, especially in schools - the Franco-German friendship. The Big Bad Wolves are also celebrating on January 22nd!

On 22 January 1963, the President of the Republic Charles de Gaulle and the German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Treaty of the Elysée, which rooted Franco-German friendship. It also encouraged cultural and youth exchanges.

Carnival in Germany - Der Karneval

It is widespread in the southern regions and on the banks of the Rhine. The most famous is in Cologne. People celebrate for several days. On Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) there is the parade of floats, these decorated cars. For Mardi Gras, children dress up and young and old eat doughnuts.

April 1st in Germany - Erste April

As in France, April 1st is known for its jokes. Incredible stories are told even in newspapers and on television. When trapped people notice that it is a hoax, it is called "April April" which corresponds to "April Fool's Day". But in Germany, fish plays no role.

Easter - Ostern

Easter is an important holiday, because it symbolizes the arrival of spring. We decorate the house with branches from which we hang eggs. Yellow and green are the dominant colours. We buy "Osterglocke", daffodils. The word in German means "Easter bells".

Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays. So it's always a great weekend for the whole family. Depending on the region, large fires are held on Saturday evenings.

The night of April 30 to May 1 - Tanzen in den Mai

Spring festivals - which vary greatly from region to region - take place during the night of April 30 to May 1. Balls are organised, this is called "Tanzen in den Mai" ("Dancing back in May").

A "Maibaum" (May tree) is a decorated tree or trunk that is also installed on the evening of April 30 in the village squares.

It is also the "Walpurgisnacht", the night of Walpurgis. She has long been identified as a witch's day. There are parades where girls and women hit pots and pans.

May Day is a holiday. It's Labour Day.

May 9, Europe Day - Der 9. May, Europatag

May 9 is Europe Day. It celebrates the statement made on 9 May 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman announcing the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. This declaration forms the basis of European integration.

Ascension in Germany - Christi Himmelfahrt

It is not only a holiday, but also Father's Day. It is often an opportunity for fathers to meet their friends.

Pentecost in Germany - Pfingsten

Whit Monday is like in France a public holiday. It is a long weekend that allows you to leave and enjoy the first warm days.

October 3, National Day in Germany - Der 3. Oktober

October 3 is the day of the National Day and German Unity. This day symbolizes the reunification of the two Germanies, West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR), which took place on 3 October 1990. Everywhere are organized big parties and fireworks.

October 31 in Germany - Der 31. Oktober

In the Länder of the former East Germany, 31 October is a holiday on the occasion of the Reformation Day, one of the main Protestant holidays.

Halloween is celebrated on the evening of 31 October. For the past thirty years, this celebration has become more and more widespread in both France and Germany. It is celebrated in the same way in both countries, with pumpkins, ghost or witch costumes and cobwebs. The children knock on doors to get sweets and ask for "Süßes, sonst gibt es Saueres" (which corresponds to "Sweets or stuffing").

All Saints' Day in Germany, November 1 - Allerheiligen

All Saints' Day is celebrated on 1 November in the predominantly Catholic southern part of Germany. For the other Länder, flowers will be brought to the cemetery on Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead), which takes place on the third Sunday in November.

November 9 in Germany - Der 9. November November

Although this is not a public holiday, it is a date that has marked Germany's history several times.

On November 9, 1918, Germany became a Republic for the first time in its history Graffiti Fall of the Wall - holidays and public holidays in Germany.

On November 9, 1938, the "Night of the Crystal" (die Reichskristallnacht) took place, during which Hitler's police set fire to 200 synagogues and destroyed 7,500 Jewish-operated businesses and businesses. About a hundred Jews were murdered and nearly 30,000 were deported to concentration camps.

St. Martin's Day in Germany - Sankt Martin

St. Martin's Day is a festival celebrated throughout Germany on November 11, which is not a holiday on the other side of the Rhine. Torchlight retreats are held everywhere, in town and in the countryside. The children wear lanterns that they have made themselves. In these lamps are arranged either real candles or electric candles. It is a celebration of light.

St. Nicholas Day - Nikolaus

On the evening of December 5, don't forget to put your shoes in front of the door because it is during the night of December 5 to 6 that Saint-Nicolas drops off sweets and other small gifts. With his sled and red suit, he looks a lot like Santa Claus.