Christmas Greetings In Austria: A Local's Guide

Christmas in Austria is celebrated in a variety of ways, from traditional carol singing to the Mitternachtsmette service. The main language in Austria is Austrian German, so 'Merry Christmas' is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'. In this article, we will explore the different ways Austrians celebrate Christmas, including the role of Saint Nikolaus and Krampus, and the tradition of singing 'Silent Night' on Christmas Eve.

Austrians say 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn' to wish someone a Merry Christmas

In Austria, the main language is Austrian German, so to wish someone a Merry Christmas, Austrians say 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'.

Christmas in Austria is mainly celebrated at home, so if you don't have friends or family in Austria, it can be hard to experience a traditional Austrian Christmas Eve. However, one recommendation is to attend the Mitternachtsmette, a midnight service that is held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day, many families enjoy a large Christmas lunch, while others just enjoy a day off.

On Christmas Eve, it is an Austrian Christmas tradition to sing the song 'Silent Night' together. After singing, the children (and grown-ups) are given presents from underneath the tree. Traditional Austrians do not believe in Santa Claus. Instead, Austrian children believe that presents are brought by the Christkind. Children may not see the decorated Christmas tree in the living room until the Christkind is there and all the presents have been delivered.

Another famous event that happens over the new year in Austria is the Ski Jumping 'Four Hills Tournament' ('Vierschanzentournee'). It starts in Germany with Oberstdorf on the 29th or 30th of December and continues in Austria with Innsbruck on the 3rd or 4th of January.

Austrians sing the song 'Silent Night' on Christmas Eve

In Austria, the main language is Austrian German, so Merry Christmas is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'. On Christmas Eve, it is an Austrian Christmas tradition to sing the song 'Silent Night' together. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at the Nikolauskirche, the parish church of Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire on the Salzach river in present-day Austria.

'Silent Night' is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr. It was first heard by Austrian villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. The song is about a calm and bright silent night, and the wonder of a newborn child. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011.

Every Christmas Eve, hundreds of people from all over the world crowd outside the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, to sing along to the carol. The service is traditionally held at midnight, although nowadays the starting time varies between 10 pm and midnight. After singing, the children (and grown-ups) are awarded with presents underneath the tree.

Austrians do not believe in Santa Claus, but in the Christkind

In Austria, the main language is Austrian German, so Merry Christmas is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'. Austrians do not believe in Santa Claus, but in the Christkind (Christ Child) who delivers presents to children all over the world. Christkind is female and an angel, while Santa is male and human-looking. Christkind flies from household to household with her wings, rather than using a sleigh and reindeer. In Austria, Santa Claus is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus, and he comes on 6 December to bring small presents. He is joined by Krampus, a beastly creature who punishes bad children. Austrians see Santa as an import from America, and do not ask him for presents.

Saint Nikolaus (or Nikolaus) comes on 6 December to bring small presents

In Austria, the main language is Austrian German, so Merry Christmas is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'. Austrians celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways. On Christmas Eve, it is traditional to sing the song 'Silent Night' together. After singing, the children (and grown-ups) are given presents from underneath the tree. Austrians do not believe in Santa Claus. Instead, they believe that presents are brought by the Christkind. Children may not see the decorated Christmas tree in the living room until the Christkind is there and all presents have been delivered.

The Mitternachtsmette is a traditional service held on Christmas Eve

In Austria, the main language is Austrian German, so Merry Christmas is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn'.

Christmas celebrations in the denominations of Western Christianity have long begun on Christmas Eve, due in part to the Christian liturgical day starting at sunset, a practice inherited from Jewish tradition, and based on the story of Creation in the Book of Genesis. Many churches still ring their church bells and hold prayers in the evening. Since tradition holds that Jesus was born at night, Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth.

In Austria, Christmas is mainly celebrated at home. On Christmas Eve, it is an Austrian Christmas tradition to sing together the song of Silent Night. After singing, the children (and grown-ups) are awarded presents underneath the tree. Traditional Austrians do not believe in Santa Claus. Instead, Austrians (or their children at least) believe that the presents are brought by the Christkind. Children may not see the decorated Christmas tree in the living room until Christkind is there and all presents are delivered.

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