Get to know the real Luxembourg Christmas! Who will bring you gifts, and how will the traditional Speculoos cookies taste?

Are you wondering how they celebrate Christmas in Luxembourg? You might be surprised that there aren’t too many differences from ours!

What are the most famous traditions, and who is the mysterious being who brings gifts to the children?

What do they enjoy on Christmas Day in Luxembourg, and what are their most famous sweets?

Is it worth visiting Luxembourg for Christmas, and what can you expect there?

Let’s approach the holidays of peace and tranquility in this picturesque country!

When is Christmas celebrated in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is a small country surrounded by Germany, Belgium, and France. Many Christmas customs come from these foreign neighbors, and thus, Christmas customs are touched by everyone.

Christmas in Luxembourg is traditionally celebrated on December 24, when families gather around noon. The whole day culminates in the midnight mass, as most of the population are Christians. It is often customary to unwrap gifts after visiting the church, but this is not strictly followed.

December 25, as the first Christmas holiday, also has a deep religious significance here. This holiday is usually associated with mass, the most famous of which takes place in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Maurice and Maura in Clervaux.

Luxembourg’s most famous traditions and customs

Christmas celebrations are long in Luxembourg, and the trees are decorated as early as December 1st. St. Nicholas is the first significant December day, celebrated on December 6, and has an interesting legend in this country.

Kleeschen

Kleeschen, or Santa Claus, threw coins into the shoes of poor children, but he did a good deed by rescuing three little boys who were lost to their parents in the marketplace and ran into a villain named Houseker. He was a butcher; he wanted to kidnap the boys and turn them into tasty sausages. As brutal as this fable seems, everything turns out well because Kleeschen overhears everything and saves the children. To this day, this story is told to children in Luxembourg as a warning, and they leave Santa’s shoes with pictures or a poem in front of the door. They are rewarded with sweets that Kleeschen leaves for them at night.

Carols

Singing and music are very traditional in Luxembourg. As soon as Advent begins and the streets sparkle with beautiful decorations, wooden stalls open their offer of welder and delicacies, and concerts are held in the squares that resound in every corner of the country.

A walk through the market

To be seen – that’s the exact word, expressing the obligation to walk through the marketplace in the respective city during the four-week Advent period. Stopping by with neighbors and acquaintances for a mulled wine is a courtesy that is looked upon.

Listen to famous Luxembourg carols

Of course, this is nothing new, even here the most famous carol is Silent Night, which we also know with the Czech text. Now listen to them in Luxembourgish.

Stëll ass d'Nuecht (Stille Nacht) - Franz Xaver Gruber (Luxembourg Military Band)

A Christmas carol for Nicholas.

#4: Léiwe Kleeschen, gudde Kleeschen | Luxembourgish Christmas Song

Who is Kristkind, and how does he resemble Santa?

Another famous tradition that connects Luxembourg with us is a mysterious being that brings gifts to children – Kristkind, or Baby Jesus. His tradition is recognized across families.

Christmas Eve Dinner and Speculaas Cookies

On Christmas Day, families and friends gather by the Christmas tree for a so-called aperitif, accompanied by something small to eat and pleasant conversation. After that, it’s time for the gala dinner. A traditional Luxembourgish Christmas course is Träipen mat Gromperenzalot, which is groat intestines with mashed potatoes and applesauce. However, this food gradually disappears from Luxembourg tables and is replaced by the family’s delicacies. This is usually game, seafood, or fondue.

Here again, we find a sweet combination from all the surrounding states. Stola, which originates from Germany, is also served, as is Bûche de Noël, a traditional roulade resembling polenta. The popular Speculaas biscuit will brighten up every child.

Now we will prepare them together, there is nothing complicated about them!

Bake delicious Speculaas Spiced Cookies

Speculaas are already being prepared for St. Nicholas, and creativity is not limited when baking them. Different cutters are used for them and are often also part of other unbaked desserts.

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• cinnamon sugar

Method:

• Beat the butter with the sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla.
• Whip the cream well and work to make it fluffy.
• Whisk the baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and flour in a separate bowl.
• Then, mix the flour and cream and carefully stir in the whipped cream.
• Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 374°F.
• Roll out the dough on a floured rolling pin to a thickness of 1 inch.
• You can cut out the cookies or use your favorite stamps. Transfer the cut cookies to a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
• Sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon sugar before baking.
• Bake for 11 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

Where to go for Christmas in Luxembourg?

If you want to taste the authentic Luxembourgish Christmas atmosphere, go to the beautiful markets, where the aroma of roasted sausages, chocolate-dipped fruit, spiced cookies, and music combine.

The biggest markets, which will blow you away with their atmosphere, are in the capital on the Place de la Constitution. Sixty wooden houses are built around the city’s main attraction, Gëlle Fra. Here, you can buy craft products, lots of delicious food, and typical mulled wine. You can top it all off at the fairground attractions that are an annual part of this place.

Christmas markets occur in all squares; nothing here is untouched by the festive atmosphere. However, if you need help moving under the onslaught of good food, step towards Kinnekswiss Park, where you will find an illuminated ice rink.

And if you want a more comprehensive experience and want to rest for a little while after Christmas, the charming white castle of Clervaux awaits you in a beautiful natural setting north of the capital.

If you still don’t know which European capital to visit, I hope that celebrating Christmas in Luxembourg has convinced you that you will find a number of wonderful markets on the one hand and beautiful sights and surroundings on the other.

Now it’s enough to wish – Schei Chreschtdeeg an e gudde Rutsch an d’neit Joer!