https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed 'Drei Hasselnüsse für Ashenbrödel' - or 'Three Wishes for Cinderella’ - is one of Germany's most beloved Christmas films. Here's how you can watch it this year. https://www.thelocal.com/20241223/three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:18:39 +0100 three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie Wondering why Germany's carnival festivities kick off on November 11th at such a specific time? We unpack the significance of the date and numbers. https://www.thelocal.com/20251111/why-does-germanys-carnival-season-start-on-november-11th-at-1111am Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:50:15 +0100 why-does-germanys-carnival-season-start-on-november-11th-at-1111am All but two German states rotate their summer holidays to prevent gridlock on the roads and railways and spread demand at holiday destinations. Irritation at Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg’s refusal to join in may finally be coming to a head. https://www.thelocal.com/20250716/explained-why-german-states-are-clashing-over-the-school-holiday-schedule Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:33:15 +0200 explained-why-german-states-are-clashing-over-the-school-holiday-schedule Winter is upon us, and in Germany that means sub-zero temperatures, short days and not a lot of sunshine. But fear not: while the Danes may have cornered the market on Hygge, the Germans are old hands at cultivating a sense of Gemütlichkeit. https://www.thelocal.com/20231204/gemutlichkeit-10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-winter-like-a-german Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:34:36 +0100 gemutlichkeit-10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-winter-like-a-german The tradition of 'Klaasohm', which involves men restraining and smacking women's bottoms, is set to be outlawed on the German island of Borkum this year. Here's what you need to know about the controversial custom. https://www.thelocal.com/20241202/klaasohm-why-a-german-island-is-scrapping-its-violent-christmas-tradition Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:14:42 +0100 klaasohm-why-a-german-island-is-scrapping-its-violent-christmas-tradition It's that time of year again when the delicious German drink Glühwein will be on sale at Christmas Markets and in bars all over the country. Here's what you need to know about the traditional winter beverage. https://www.thelocal.com/20221115/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-german-gluhwein Tue, 15 Nov 2022 18:10:08 +0100 5-things-you-need-to-know-about-german-gluhwein One German state has a public holiday on Friday for Weltkindertag or World Children's Day. We explain how it's marked - and the unusual history behind it in Germany. https://www.thelocal.com/20240918/what-is-germanys-world-childrens-day-and-where-is-it-a-public-holiday Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:15:17 +0200 what-is-germanys-world-childrens-day-and-where-is-it-a-public-holiday The 189th edition of the world's biggest folk festival kicks off two weeks of beer-drinking, rousing oompah music and partying this Saturday. Want to do it properly? From knowing your limits to learning songs, here's how to Oktoberfest like a German. https://www.thelocal.com/20240919/dirndls-tents-and-radler-how-to-do-oktoberfest-like-a-german Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:24:21 +0200 dirndls-tents-and-radler-how-to-do-oktoberfest-like-a-german From a prolonged vacation to lake days and eating seasonal produce, here's how to make the most of summer in Germany like a local. https://www.thelocal.com/20240802/8-ways-to-enjoy-summer-like-a-german Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:54:36 +0200 8-ways-to-enjoy-summer-like-a-german