Father's day in Germany is so much more than gifting a tie. This public holiday is a day off work for everybody, and a chance for men to act like boys. Known as Vatertag (also Männertag), it involves drinking lots of beer, riding a beer bike, and, unfortunately, little responsibility. Germany's Vatertag coincides with Ascension Day (Christi … [Read more...]

Weiberfastnacht is a holiday celebrated mostly in the Rhineland on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Originally a special day for women’s carnival, but now celebrated by both sexes as the beginning of the six-day peak of the carnival season. Women take charge of men on Carnival Thursday by cutting off their ties and giving them a kiss. The … [Read more...]

The Christmas season is a busy one! Celebrating German Advent will help you slow down and enjoy the real reason for the season. Advent is celebrated on the four Sundays before Christmas. The Advent tradition is a religious celebration in preparation for the arrival, or “advent” of the Christ Child (das Christkind) on his “official” birthday, the … [Read more...]

For almost 200 years, the Cannstatter Volksfest has enjoyed enormous popularity and annually attracts about four million visitors from near and far to Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden Württemberg. People are captivated by the special atmosphere of the wonderful funfair coupled with beautiful festival tents, a colorful flea market and many … [Read more...]

Oktoberfest has gathered international recognition and status and is celebrated in areas outside Germany too. Nevertheless we’re listing the fun facts for you. Here are some interesting facts and traditions surrounding the world’s most famous beer festival. 1. It’s not a beer festival Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest – or “Wiesn”, to the … [Read more...]

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Proverb Mother's day celebration in Germany takes place on the second Sunday of May. However, if this day happens to be the Pentecost (Pfingstsonntag) – the Christian festival for celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit (held on the 7th Sunday following Easter) - then Mother’s Day is … [Read more...]

Also known as Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday has been celebrated since the earliest days of the Christian Church. It commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples and the institution of the Lord's Supper and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist. The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the … [Read more...]

Oktoberfest is often associated with beer, but the festival's traditions go beyond that. While the beer tents, of course, provide drinks, they also play only traditional Bavarian music. The original six Munich breweries still provide the beer. You can also catch people in traditional Bavarian clothing, dirndls and lederhosen. Here are some … [Read more...]