11 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF GERMANY - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The traditions and customs of Germany are essential parts of German culture. Although some are very similar to other events in different countries, all have a characteristic German touch that defines them as traditional events in the European country.

The traditions of Germany developed throughout its history as a consequence of social and religious events. Germans around the world hold, almost without exception, all kinds of popular events periodically. In addition, some German traditions have become of great importance in other countries worldwide.

In particular, Oktoberfest has become popular in many countries (such as the United States) thanks to its close relationship with beer consumption. Germany is one of the European countries where its inhabitants feel proudest to belong to their society; for this reason it has many customs practiced by a large part of its population.

Main traditions and customs of Germany

Easter

Germans have a great attachment to the celebration of Easter. In fact, they perform a large number of commemorative events during the Easter season.

One of the most famous cultural expressions of German Easter is the Easter egg tree. It is customary to place in the various homes in a similar way to the Christmas tree, but instead of decoration balls, it is decorated with Easter eggs.

Eggs and rabbits are very popular symbols in German Easter culture and it is common to see these products being sold as chocolate during the pre-Easter season.

German children get used to painting the eggs during the celebration. Also, they put the eggs in a basket for the Easter bunny, and then their parents hide the basket and exchange the painted eggs for chocolate eggs. Next, they must hunt for the eggs on Easter Sunday.

Artistic tradition

Germany has always been known as an art center in Europe. Many of the compositions heard today in Germany originated several decades ago at the hands of the world's most famous composers.

The music of composers such as Beethoven, Bach and Mozart is ingrained in German culture. Although German music has adapted to modern changes in the industry, many modern artists take inspiration from mythical figures in German music to develop their new works.

Furthermore, German precision in engineering also extends to the artistic field. It is customary in Germany to carve wooden figures of various styles for decorative purposes.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest is a German tradition that has spread throughout the world. The original takes place every year in Munich: it starts at the end of September and runs until the first week of October.

The event mainly consists of consuming “Oktoberfest Beer”. Traditional German beer is served and a host of attractions are held that entertain millions of visitors, such as carnival games and amusement park rides.

This festival began to be celebrated in the early 19th century, after the royal wedding between King Ludwig and Princess Teresa. In fact, this celebration is actually known as Theresenwiese, which means "Teresa's meadow", in honor of the princess. Locals often refer to the celebration by that name.

Carnival

Celebrating Carnival is a deeply rooted custom in German culture. It is usually celebrated before the run-up to Easter and, in fact, it is a celebration that allows the German inhabitants to enjoy the festive atmosphere before taking shelter during Ash Wednesday.

As this period precedes Easter (and Lent), it is customary to consume a large amount of food that is not allowed during Christian times. Red meat and alcohol are consumed throughout the carnival event.

People often dress up and perform live performances for the enjoyment of others. During the German carnival it is common to see people dressed in clown costumes and allegorical costumes.

The principle of the German carnival is satire, so there is often ridicule of certain aspects of daily life during this celebration. Parades and food wars are fundamental traditions of the great carnivals in Germany, such as the Cologne Carnival.

People often dress in traditional German clothing (such as shirt-strap shorts), and satirical masks are also common.

Christmas culture

Traditional Christmas market

Germany has a wealth of Christmas traditions that have become part of the country's culture. In particular, it is very common to celebrate Advent; Advent calendars are very popular around the German Christmas season.

A very common type of calendar in Germany is made from tree branches. A branch representing each day is placed, and a gift is placed on each one.

In addition, it is also very traditional to place Christmas trees in all family homes. This tradition began in Germany in the Middle Ages and has continued to the present day.

During Christmas Eve many German families gather to sing Christmas songs and read the Bible. It is common to place wooden frames decorated with lights on the windows, to give a touch of Christmas lighting to the exterior of family homes.

Unlike other countries, in Germany it is customary to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and not on December 25 itself. However, it is also customary to celebrate on December 26; they refer to the day as "the second celebration."

Food

Culturally, Germans are known to consume foods that have spread to other cultures. For example, sausages are a typical German food that is consumed throughout the year. German sausages have become popular in various parts of the world.

In terms of intake, Germans are heavy consumers of beer. It is not uncommon to associate Germans with this drink. The Germans produce a large amount of beer that is consumed throughout the year, but also at special events and celebrations, such as Oktoberfest and Carnival.

Wedding

Traditional weddings in Germany usually last several days. It begins with a civil celebration, where all the friends and relatives of the people to be married are invited. The next day there is a party with friends and acquaintances.

It is very common for guests to throw plates on the floor at these parties. When they break, the newlyweds should sweep them together with brooms. This tradition serves to symbolize the fact that nothing can separate your relationship, nothing can "break" it.

The traditional religious celebration takes place after this party, on the third day of the wedding. After the church wedding, a reception is held as in many other countries. The couple usually throw coins for the children who have attended the celebration, just as they leave the church.

Typical tales

Germans have a lot of tales rooted in their folklore. Some of these are told at festive times, such as the story of Krampus.

Krampus is a goat-shaped demon who hits people with a wooden staff. Also, the devil is supposed to eat children who have not behaved well in the year.

Many of the typical German tales come from the Brothers Grimm, or are inspired by forests that were believed to be haunted in ancient times.

Clothing

Traditional German clothing is not worn every day; in fact, it is used mostly during celebrations. However, it is a clothing known throughout the world thanks to its peculiar characteristics.

Leather shorts and a tank top, with a black hat and black buckle shoes, are part of the traditional clothing that forms the basis of German culture when it comes to clothing. It is common to use high stockings, which reach the knees.

Drink from 16

In Germany you can buy certain types of alcoholic beverages from 16, while in most European countries it is from 18. Drinks such as liquor with a high degree of alcohol is not possible, although they can be consumed unsupervised adult beverages such as beer or bino.

Professional traditions

Germans are traditionally very serious people. This is more than a stereotype, as seriousness extends to all professional areas in most jobs. Labor communication in Germany is also linked to the cultural order that Germans have.

It is customary to judge an employee by his competence and the efficiency with which he performs his job, and not by the social skills the employee has with his colleagues. In other words, effectiveness is given priority over socialization, as is not the case in other countries (such as Latinos).

In many cases, communication between employee and employer tends to be much more direct than in other cultures. The use of certain phrases to soften what is said is not customary; rather, it goes straight to the point when communicating information.

References

1. Festivals and Holidays, Research in Germany, 2018. Taken from research-in-germany.org
2. German Culture: Facts, Customs & Traditions, A. Zimmermann in Live Science, (nd). Taken from livescience.com
3. German Traditions - German Culture, The Website of German Culture, (nd). Taken from germanculutre.com
4. German Traditions, German Information Center in the USA, (nd). Taken from german.travel
5. German Traditions and Cultural Oddities, The Website of German Culture, (nd). Taken from germanculutre.com