Second Christmas, a German Tradition

Zweite Weihnachten on Tuesday, Dec. 26, is a tradition honored in Fredericksburg each Christmas.

10/11/2023 04:31 AM (update 10/13/2023 04:33 AM)

Above, The Silver Strings perform musical pieces on Appalachian dulcimers, lap string instruments with diatonic fretting. Right, Hugh Reeves, director of the Fredericksburg German Club, serves up Glühwein Dec. 26 at Zweite Weihnachten.

Hosted by the Fredericksburg German Club, the event will be held at the Gillespie County Historical Society Hall (old First Methodist Church building), 312 W. San Antonio St., from 2-5 p.m.

While, for many, the day after Christmas is a time used to hunt out bargains in the shops or to stand in line for returns, for others in this community, it means time to stretch Christmas over a second day.

Zweite Weihnachten, which means “Second Christmas” in English, is the German tradition of sharing good food, drink, music and fellowship, not just with immediate family, but with friends and the community at large.

There is no admission charge for the event. Christmas carols will be sung in both German and English. And, yes, there will be the traditional baked Stollen, Christmas cookies and warm Glühwein.

This year’s Zweite Weihnachten will fall, naturally, on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Young and old are invited to join in the fun and festivities.

Sponsoring entities are the Fredericksburg German Club, the Pioneer Museum (GCHS) and the FBG-VG Montabaur Sister City Verein.