Boxing Day(Zweiter Weihnachtstag) in 🇩🇪 Deutschland

In Germany, December 26 is the Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag (Second Christmas Day) and a public holiday. It is also Saint Stephen's Day in the Catholic tradition. The day serves as a continuation of the Christmas celebration, offering a more relaxed counterpart to the intensity of Heiligabend and the first Christmas Day.

Traditionally, the Second Christmas Day is spent visiting the side of the family not seen on December 24 or 25. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gather for another festive meal, which often features roasted meats, Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), and an abundance of Weihnachtsplatzchen (Christmas cookies). Some families serve a cold buffet of leftover goose, salads, and bread.

Many Germans use the day for Winterwanderungen (winter walks) in forests and parks, particularly if there is snow on the ground. In southern Germany and the Alps, skiing and sledding are popular activities. Christmas markets may still be open on December 26, offering a last chance for Gluhwein and Lebkuchen.

Concert-going is a cherished Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag tradition. Churches host Weihnachtskonzerte (Christmas concerts), and many concert halls offer special holiday programs. The day has a quiet, contemplative quality, providing a moment of pause between the excitement of Christmas and the approach of New Year's Eve.

Public holiday on December 26 in Commonwealth nations, traditionally a day for giving gifts to servants and the poor, now associated with shopping sales and sporting events.