Advent

About Advent

Advent, from the Latin for "coming", is the season of preparation for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before it. Churches wear purple or blue, and homes put up an Advent wreath of evergreens with four candles, one lit on each Sunday, a custom begun by a German Lutheran pastor in the nineteenth century. Advent calendars, with a door or a pocket to open each day, count down the days, and in some places each holds a chocolate or a small gift. In Sweden and Norway, children sing and walk in processions with candles. In Poland, rorate masses are held at dawn by candlelight. Many families bake Christmas biscuits and cakes during these weeks, and Christmas markets open in towns across Germany and Austria.

Advent dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

What is eaten

• Lebkuchen
• stollen
• spiced biscuits

Traditions of Advent

Advent wreathThe ring of four candles.Advent calendarThe countdown calendar.

More marked on Advent

🇩🇪 Germany and 5 moreChristmas tree A decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.Festival 🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany and 5 moreChristmas marketWeihnachtsmarkt A seasonal street market held during Advent in German-speaking regions and beyond, featuring stalls, food, and crafts.Festival · Tea, coffee and drinking ceremonies 🇧🇪 Belgium and 5 moreSaint Nicholas Day The feast day of Saint Nicholas, kept in Advent with gifts, shoes and church servicesSpiritual 🇸🇪 Gävle, SwedenGävle goatGävlebocken A towering straw Yule goat built each Advent in the central square of GävleFestival 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreSaffron bun A golden, spiced yeast roll flavoured with saffron, baked for festive and holy daysTable custom · Tea-time and snacking customs 🇳🇴 NorwayJul An eight-week Norwegian midwinter season of feasts, family gatherings, and gift-givingSeasonal · Lunch 🇮🇪 Ireland and 2 moreEmber daysQuatuor Tempora A quarterly Western Christian rhythm of fasting, prayer and seasonal thanksgivingSeasonal · Fasting and breaking the fast