Title: German Holidays Customs and Celebrations
Headings: German Holidays and Celebrations
German Holidays and Celebrations
Many American holidays have their roots in German celebrations
Januar (January) Neujahr (New Year's Day)
Februar (February) Mariä Lichtmess (Groundhog Day)
Fastnacht/Karneval (Carnival/Mardi Gras)
April: Ostern (Easter)
May: May Day
Juni (June): Vatertag (Father's Day)
Oktober (October): Oktoberfest
Erntedankfest
November: Martinmas (Martinstag)
December (Dezsember): Weihnachten (Christmas)

Content: German Holidays Customs and Celebrations
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German Holidays and Celebrations
Many American holidays have their roots in German celebrations
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By
Hyde Flippo
German Expert
Hyde Flippo taught the German language for 28 years at high school and college levels and published several books on the German language and culture. our editorial process
Hyde Flippo
Updated July 03, 2019
The German holiday calendar has several in common with other parts of Europe and the United States, including Christmas and New Years. But there are several notable holidays that are uniquely German throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month look at some of the major holidays celebrated in Germany. Januar (January) Neujahr (New Year's Day)
Germans mark the New Year with celebrations and fireworks and feasts. Feuerzangenbowle is a popular traditional German New Year's drink. Its main ingredients are red wine, rum, oranges, lemons, cinnamon, and cloves. Germans traditionally send New Year's cards to tell family and friends about events in their lives during the past year. Februar (February) Mariä Lichtmess (Groundhog Day)
The American tradition of Groundhog Day has its roots in the German religious holiday Mariä Lichtmess, also known as Candlemas. Beginning in the 1840s, German immigrants to Pennsylvania had observed the tradition of a hedgehog predicting the end of winter.