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Image: Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa/picture-allianceImage: Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa/picture-alliance

Christmas

Christmas is the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed most commonly on December 24 and 25 by billions of people around the world.

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All Content on this topic

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela: Maduro moves Christmas to October amid turmoil

Nicolas Maduro declared the national holiday season would be moved up to October amid a widely contested election.
PoliticsSeptember 4, 2024
The Christmas market in Opladen

German court sentences teen over Christmas terror plot

A German court hands a four-year custodial sentence to a defendant for planning a terror attack on a Christmas market.
CrimeJune 28, 2024
A lawyer enters the Paris' courthouse where the Strasbourg attack trial is taking place.

Strasbourg Christmas market terror attack trial starts

Authorities say the suspects supplied the gunman with the weapons he used in the deadly Christmas market attack.
Law and JusticeFebruary 29, 2024
Australien Christmas Island Krabbenwanderung

Climate change delays Australian crab migration

On Australia's Christmas Island, a yearly phenomenon has been disrupted: the great Christmas Island crab migration.
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 19, 202401:16 min
Arturs Aukons starts swimming in a lake amidst pieces of ice.

Latvia: Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

DW has met with a family from the Latvian capital, Riga, that likes to spend Christmas out of town.
ReligionJanuary 6, 202402:19 min
Image shows singathon photographed through a window

Guinness world record attempt: Ghanaian sing-a-thon ends

Ghanaian Afua Asantewaa Aduonum sang for almost 127 hours. But did she break the record held by an Indian?
MusicDecember 29, 2023
Deutsche Welle 2023 | The 77 Percent Magazine #197 | Weihnachtsspezial

How does South Africa prepare for Christmas

Festive in South Africa is a special time. We speak to some Joburgers on what December means for them.
SocietyDecember 28, 202302:30 min
Deutsche Welle 2023 | The 77 Percent Magazine #197 | Weihnachtsspezial

Atheist Christmas in Kenya

The Atheist Society of Kenya wants to fight stigma against non-believers
SocietyDecember 27, 202306:17 min
In his Christmas speech, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier focused on the need for courage and cooperation.

Germany's Steinmeier calls for unity in Christmas message

In his Christmas speech, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier focused on the need for courage and cooperation.
PoliticsDecember 25, 202308:01 min
Megastädte in Afrika | Lagos in Nigeria

AfricaLink on Air - Special Christmas Edition

Africans scramble to travel back home for Christmas+++In Nigeria, high transport fares deter some from traveling home
PoliticsDecember 25, 202329:59 min
Stock photo: Close-up of the torso of a man wearing a Santa Claus costume cradling a bottle of champagne in his arms.

Germany: Drunken 'Santa' crashes into house delivering gifts

Police in Thuringia said the man in a Santa suit was "absolutely incapable of driving" given his alcohol consumption.
CrimeDecember 25, 2023
Christmas decorations are being displayed in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 23, 2023

Sri Lanka: Christmas amnesty sees 1,000 freed from jail

Many of the prisoners had been arrested for failing to pay outstanding fines.
Law and JusticeDecember 25, 2023
Santa's sleigh pulled by reindeer

How to follow Santa around the world with NORAD

The military command responsible for protecting North American skies is also tracking Santa on Christmas Eve.
CultureDecember 24, 2023
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa in a red frock surrounded by priests, security and Catholic faithful

Bethlehem: Small Christmas procession held despite Gaza war

This year's Christmas procession in the Holy Land is much smaller than usual, with decorations and festivities canceled.
PoliticsDecember 24, 2023
Flooding in Bavaria

Flood warnings issued across Germany ahead of Christmas

The German weather service (DWD) issued warnings for six states across Germany.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 24, 2023
Multicolored fairy lights are festooned across the front of a house.

How Christmas has changed in Germany since 1945

How Christmas is celebrated in Germany has gone through significant changes over the last seven decades.
CultureDecember 24, 202312 images
DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Little (medicinal?) sugar balls for Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our listeners. And to all a good night.
ScienceDecember 24, 202330:00 min
congregation sitting next to huge Christmas Tree on December 24, Berlin Central Station

Berlin's Christmas service for homeless at central station

Where can you celebrate Christmas Eve in Berlin if you have no home of your own? One option is at the central station.
SocietyDecember 23, 2023
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Festive Wroclaw, 5 typical Christmas dishes from Europe, panettone made in prison.
CultureDecember 22, 202326:06 min
Deutsche Welle 2023 | The 77 Percent Magazine #197 | Weihnachtsspezial

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

The 77 Percent celebrates the Christmas season with a X-Mas special.
SocietyDecember 22, 202326:04 min
The inside of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, without visitors

Bethlehem: Gaza war mars Christmas festivities

Most events have been canceled because of the Gaza conflict.
ReligionDecember 22, 2023
Picture of a spider's web stretched across the branches of a fir tree.

From spiders to seashells: Curious Christmas ornaments

Forget regular baubles and tinsel! Fancy trying these tree trimming ideas from different cultures around the world?
LifestyleDecember 22, 202311 images
Friedrich Merz of the CDU seen standing in front of a Christmas tree in 2020

Christmas trees part of German 'Leitkultur' says CDU's Merz

The comments about "guiding culture" came days after the opposition CDU unveiled plans for Germany's future.
SocietyDecember 21, 2023
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 21 December 2023

Everyone’s a winner in Spain’s singing national lottery draw, Christmas is coming early to Ukraine, and when it comes to festive feasts, nobody does it quite like Norway! All that, plus our traditional holiday ring-round with our correspondents in the capitals.
PoliticsDecember 21, 202354:59 min
Passengers and their belongings on a platform next to a Eurostar train at Paris' Gare du Nord station

Eurotunnel strike halting traffic between France, UK ends

Staff at the tunnel initiated the blockade over a pay dispute.
TravelDecember 21, 2023
Corona test at an airport in China

COVID-19 rates are rising again — what you need to know

People are getting infected with COVID subvariant JN.1, but you can protect yourself and others over the holiday season.
ScienceDecember 21, 2023
A man walking in a Christmas market

Christmas fails to bring holiday cheer for German retailers

Despite improvement in inflation rates, shoppers in Germany are exercising caution amid looming budget cuts in 2024.
BusinessDecember 21, 2023
Four people smile next to radio microphones in a room with Christmas atmosphere with candles and lights.

Christmas special: Piñatas and pavlovas

The team behind the Don't Drink the Milk podcast get together for a festive special — with a fiery conclusion.
CultureDecember 20, 202319:35 min
Weihnachten in Yola Nigeria Phinear und Alice Padio

Has Christmas lost its meaning among young Africans?

Listen to what young Ghanaians and Malawians told us!
SocietyDecember 20, 202320:00 min
Two women standing in front of a Christmas tree, one dressed in a white dress with gold stars and a golden cape, with a crown on her head

Germany: Visiting Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt

Reporter Shabnam Surita went to Nuremberg's famous Christmas market to meet the angelic figure in person.
CultureDecember 20, 202304:33 min
Dont drink the milk Teaser

Christmas: Piñatas & pavlovas

Many places put a unique spin on the season's traditions. Join us in this especially merry episode to learn about a few.
CultureDecember 19, 202324:22 min
The Santa Claus Village tourist attraction lit with festive lights early in the morning in Rovaniemi, Finland

Finland: A sustainable Christmas

Santa Claus in Finland is all about the environment.
SocietyDecember 19, 202305:09 min
Traditional nutcrackers standing in a row.

How the nutcracker achieved worldwide fame

Here's how the nutcracker, created in Germany more than 150 years ago, became an iconic wooden Christmas decoration.
CultureDecember 19, 2023
Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market

Germany's Ore Mountains sparkle at Christmas

Many traditions, which have been maintained for generations, originated in the days when silver was mined in the region.
TravelDecember 19, 202310 images
Picture of a woman dressed in red, identified as American singer Mariah Carey, against a Christmas backdrop.

The Christmas songs that get stuck in your head

The artists behind hits "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Last Christmas" are laughing all the way to the bank.
MusicDecember 18, 2023
A young woman sits next to a Christmas tree, with a group of people sitting and chatting in the background

How do Germans typically celebrate Christmas?

A Christmas tree, family visits and potato salad with sausages: what else can you expect at German holiday celebrations?
CultureDecember 18, 202305:13 min
George Michael, left, and Andrew Ridgeley, right, both men are smiling and wearing white shirts with popped collars.

Why people love (and hate) 'Last Christmas'

It's hard to imagine the holiday season without the Wham! pop classic. At its core lies melancholy and a broken heart.
MusicDecember 17, 2023
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, a typical German Christmas, winter sports in St. Moritz.
LifestyleDecember 15, 202326:06 min
Wax figures of famous singers wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.

'Tis the season for the ugly Christmas sweater

From the US to the UK and now even Germany — it's time again to dig out and don your tackiest Christmas sweater.
LifestyleDecember 15, 20239 images
Fokus Europa Bosnien Feinstaub

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

Residents around Bosnia's largest coal-fired power plant are getting sick. They blame the operators.
SocietyDecember 14, 202326:04 min
Fokus Europa - Türkei Waffeln

The master waffle-maker of Istanbul

Kemal Usta delicious waffles aren't the only thing currently attracting customers.
SocietyDecember 14, 202302:07 min
Euromaxx 09.12.23

How much should a trip to the Christmas market cost?

Mulled wine, bratwurst, candied almonds – how much cash should you take to the Christmas market?
CultureDecember 13, 202305:17 min
A model of a city made from gingerbread and candy

Gingerbread cities model the future of architecture

UK architecture firms present their visions for the future — modeled in gingerbread.
ArchitectureDecember 12, 202304:07 min
A large Christmas tree in old town square in Prague.

Europe's festive cities shine bright this Christmas season

Christmas lights are illuminating streets all over Europe. Take a look at 10 outstanding cities — and a surprise.
TravelDecember 12, 202311 images
A woman walks in front of a store deorated with christmas trees in city center of Cologne

German retailers see little festive cheer

Christmas sales in Germany have been sluggish, with retailers expressing dissatisfaction.
SocietyDecember 10, 2023
Deutschland | Moderatorin Shabnam Surita und das Nürnberger Christkind

Meet the Germans: Christkind

In this episode, Shabnam travels to Nuremberg where she meets the Christkind and tours the historic Christmas market.
CultureDecember 9, 202306:19 min
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Gingerbread architecture, Prince Gyasi's photos for "The Cal", and Christmas markets on a budget
LifestyleDecember 8, 202326:06 min
A view of Christmas market visitors in Berlin

Heightened risk of terror attacks in Germany

Authorities are on high alert to prevent a repeat of the 2016 truck attack on a Christmas market.
TerrorismDecember 6, 202302:40 min
St. Nicholas on a horse carriage in the snow.

Why St. Nicholas puts candy in boots

Were your boots ready for St. Nicholas Day on December 6? The saint's secret gift-giving inspired Santa Claus.
LifestyleDecember 6, 2023
Ampoules of the Nuvaxovid vaccine against Covid-19 by Novavax are stored in a fridge at the Tegel vaccination center

Germany: Get COVID shots for Christmas, minister urges

Ahead of Christmas, the country is currently experiencing a wave of COVID-19 infections, and vaccination rates are low.
HealthDecember 4, 2023