https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Social interactions in Germany are often defined by a series unwritten codes that can be hard for many foreigners to understand. Here are our top tips for doing as the Germans do - and even for out-doing them if the need arises. https://www.thelocal.de/20260226/five-ways-to-show-youve-mastered-germanys-unwritten-social-codes Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:32:53 +0100 five-ways-to-show-youve-mastered-germanys-unwritten-social-codes Germany’s 'word of the year' is all about the brave new world we’re living in – and it’s arguably the most cheerful term to make it into top ten for 2025. So how accurately do this year’s chosen words capture the mood in the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20251208/ki-ara-what-germanys-top-ten-words-of-the-year-say-about-2025 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:22:11 +0100 ki-ara-what-germanys-top-ten-words-of-the-year-say-about-2025 Topping weekly charts and racking up millions of streams, these rap, pop, schlager and crossover songs offer an ideal way to start making sense of the German-language music scene – and contemporary German culture. https://www.thelocal.de/20251218/the-most-popular-german-language-songs-of-2025 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:48:14 +0100 the-most-popular-german-language-songs-of-2025 A German craftsman has attracted attention with his surprising take on the famous ‘Nussknacker’. Did you know that the original nutcrackers were symbols of resilience and defiance? https://www.thelocal.de/20251203/why-a-new-german-nutcracker-is-flipping-the-bird Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:57:48 +0100 why-a-new-german-nutcracker-is-flipping-the-bird Thinking about getting a Christmas tree this year? Here's what to know about which type of tree to choose, how much you should expect to spend and how to decorate your 'Weihnachtsbaum' in true German style. https://www.thelocal.de/20251212/so-you-want-to-buy-a-christmas-tree-in-germany Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:34:29 +0100 so-you-want-to-buy-a-christmas-tree-in-germany Each December, Google unveils the search terms that kept millions of Germans glued to their screens during the year. From the height of politicians to the rules on zebra crossings, here’s what people have been looking up in 2025. https://www.thelocal.de/20251204/haftbefehl-and-labubu-what-millions-of-google-searches-reveal-about-germany Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:54:27 +0100 haftbefehl-and-labubu-what-millions-of-google-searches-reveal-about-germany A couple long-lost organ pieces written by a teenage Johann Sebastian Bach were unveiled in Germany on Monday in a discovery described as a 'great moment for the world of music'. https://www.thelocal.de/20251118/two-newly-discovered-bach-organ-works-unveiled-in-germany Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:27:40 +0100 two-newly-discovered-bach-organ-works-unveiled-in-germany Germany is renowned for its castles, cuisine, and cutting-edge technology – but some of its most fascinating treasures are the living traditions, skills, and rituals that shape everyday life and connect communities across generations. https://www.thelocal.de/20251016/handmade-glass-to-modern-dance-germanys-world-recognised-cultural-heritage Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:55:11 +0200 handmade-glass-to-modern-dance-germanys-world-recognised-cultural-heritage Berlin, long hailed as one of the world's great party cities, is fighting to keep its famed techno clubs alive in the face of soaring prices, shifting tastes and a tightening property market. https://www.thelocal.de/20251016/berlins-fights-against-club-death-as-historic-venues-close Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:37:30 +0200 berlins-fights-against-club-death-as-historic-venues-close Hundreds of young people have been gathering in German cities to sit together and eat pudding with forks. What's the deal behind the bizarre trend? https://www.thelocal.de/20251001/why-are-young-germans-eating-pudding-with-forks Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:39:56 +0200 why-are-young-germans-eating-pudding-with-forks From the 'Lederhosen' or 'Dirndl' to beers served in an oversized 'Maß' to the unforgettable song and dance, everyone loves a little bit of Oktoberfest. Here’s where to celebrate the season even if you can’t make it to Munich this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20250923/where-to-celebrate-oktoberfest-if-youre-not-in-munich Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:37:42 +0200 where-to-celebrate-oktoberfest-if-youre-not-in-munich The world's largest folk festival kicks off on Saturday, and is expected to lure around six million thirsty visitors to Munich over the course of two weeks. Here are the most important things to do (and not to do) if you plan to join the festivities. https://www.thelocal.de/20250918/the-dos-and-donts-you-need-to-know-for-a-first-visit-to-oktoberfest Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:19:33 +0200 the-dos-and-donts-you-need-to-know-for-a-first-visit-to-oktoberfest Schlager icon Helene Fischer is a star in German speaking countries. So what is Schlager music — and how did Fischer become its modern representative? https://www.thelocal.de/20230323/why-are-people-in-german-speaking-countries-so-obsessed-with-schlager-music Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:23:31 +0100 why-are-people-in-german-speaking-countries-so-obsessed-with-schlager-music Bright colours, rainbow flags and glitter: around 250,000 people demonstrated for tolerance and gender diversity at Christopher Street Day in Berlin on Saturday. https://www.thelocal.de/20240729/in-pictures-berlins-csd-pride-parade-brings-colour-to-a-rainy-day Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:51:54 +0200 in-pictures-berlins-csd-pride-parade-brings-colour-to-a-rainy-day From a tribute to one of the world's most beloved and iconic artists to the debauchery of Karneval, here's our pick of the best events happening around Germany in February. https://www.thelocal.de/20240125/7-unmissable-events-taking-place-in-germany-in-february-2024 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:06:26 +0100 7-unmissable-events-taking-place-in-germany-in-february-2024 First-time American travellers to Germany might have a few ideas on what the country is like. While some of these hold a grain of truth, others are flat-out false. https://www.thelocal.de/20230825/ice-to-the-autobahn-7-common-myths-american-travellers-have-about-germany Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:11:29 +0200 ice-to-the-autobahn-7-common-myths-american-travellers-have-about-germany Has your definition of concepts such as nice weather or punctuality changed? Do you have insurance for the most far-fetched scenarios? You might be turning into a true German. https://www.thelocal.de/20230418/10-signs-youve-become-more-german-than-the-germans Tue, 18 Apr 2023 19:15:35 +0200 10-signs-youve-become-more-german-than-the-germans People in Germany love forming their own clubs or associations, which are known in German as 'Vereine'. Here are some of the quirkiest. https://www.thelocal.de/20230413/from-beer-policing-to-bunny-suits-10-of-germanys-strangest-social-clubs Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:42:13 +0200 from-beer-policing-to-bunny-suits-10-of-germanys-strangest-social-clubs When living in Germany, there are plenty of situations where you might have to send a formal letter or email. Here's how to compose one with confidence. https://www.thelocal.de/20230203/explained-how-to-write-a-formal-letter-in-germany Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:05:40 +0100 explained-how-to-write-a-formal-letter-in-germany Germans take fresh air seriously. And now in a pandemic, it's seen as potentially life saving. We looked into the German love of Lüften. https://www.thelocal.de/20201001/lften-why-germans-are-obsessed-with-the-art-of-airing-out-rooms Thu, 01 Oct 2020 18:06:19 +0200 lften-why-germans-are-obsessed-with-the-art-of-airing-out-rooms