Wtf is Weihnachten? - Part 1

Christmas in Germany is a bunch of holidays where all shops, services and sometimes even restaurants are closed (check your bakery of trust). While most of the shops will be opened on December 24th until noon (last minute presents) they are definitely closed on 25th and 26th (1. und 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag). People go crazy on 23rd so try to get your grocery shopping done until 22nd (this year it’s a Monday).

Also, be aware of special bus schedules during the holidays (depends on city)! In Tübingen, it's the “Sonntag / Feiertag” schedule, but watch out for footnotes, such as “Hl. Abend”, “1. und 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag”, “Sylvester”, “Neujahr” and the like.

Tuebingen University Library is closed on December 24th to 28th and also 31st and January 1st.

By the way: January 1st is the same shop story – everything closed.

I heard that many foreign residents are annoyed by the Sunday/holiday opening hours (more like closing hours ;) but this due to the Christian belief that one should not work on Sundays and holidays and it has proven very comfortable for employees (essential institutions like hospitals pay higher wage on holidays). Yes, it makes us plan ahead a lot, but one slow day a week is actually pretty nice.

Miriam for The Koins.


Part II - Custom
Part III - Presents