Christmastime in Hermann: Honoring Old Traditions & Creating New
In Hermann, Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t just holidays – they are part of a season woven with threads of cherished, age-old traditions, many of which came with settlers who immigrated here from Germany.
As the wintry weather settles in and the promise of twinkling lights, garland, gingerbread, and cherished time with friends and family takes root, Hermann is the perfect place to embrace old traditions and create new ones.
From the enchanting melodies of holiday music to the joyous shopping atmosphere, unforgettable dining experiences, and an abundance of Christmas spirit, Hermann offers something for everyone to enjoy during this festive season.
In Hermann, the fun begins with a traditional Lantern Parade just after Thanksgiving and ends with the annual ringing of the bell in the Clock Tower to usher in the New Year. We’ve made planning easy with a schedule of all the upcoming holiday events. Below are a few activities you won’t want to miss.
The Sounds of Starkenburg, Christmas Market, & Soup Supper
Helping round out November and building holiday spirit, the Sounds of Starkenburg Concerts and Christmas Market are scheduled for Saturday, November 30th. Take in a pipe organ concert with guest vocalists and musicians at the historic St. Martin’s Church Museum in Starkenburg. Concerts are held at 2:00pm and 5:00pm. Guests also can purchase savory soup and desserts at the soup supper.
Children’s Lantern Parade
Join us to jumpstart Hermann’s Christmas season Saturday, November 30 with the annual Children’s Lantern Parade. This tradition is inspired by the legend of a compassionate knight who shared his lantern with a beggar in the bitter cold, instilling in our youngest generation the significance of being beacons of hope during the darkest nights.
All are invited to craft and bring lanterns made from tin cans, tiki torches, paper lanterns on poles, kerosene lanterns, or any other imaginative creation you can conjure.
Illuminate the night in a spectacular display of light and cheer. Witness a dazzling array of Christmas lights, enjoy everyone’s favorite seasonal carols, and savor holiday treats.
Embark on a Holiday House Tour
Set for Saturday, December 7th, the Hermann Holiday House Tour is an annual favorite. Take in the sights of beautifully decorated homes, the smell of cinnamon, cider, and pine, and the sounds of Christmas melodies as you walk through a selection of homes decked for the season. Tickets for this family-friendly event sell fast, so reserve your spot soon.
Christmas Tablescapes at the Rotunda
Visit the historic Rotunda Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8 and December 14-15, to be enchanted by the dazzling display of Christmas Dinner tables. Whether your taste leans toward elegance or you embrace a cozy country charm, these beautifully set tables will ignite your inspiration. This experience promises delight for the entire family to cherish.
Be a Part of the Hermann Holiday Tradition
Join us for Weihnachtsfest – or “Christmas festival” at the Deutschheim State Historic Site. Step into a charming 1840s German American home adorned with classic Christmas decor at an open house on Saturday and Sunday from December 7 to December 15, 2024.
Visitors can sample traditional German Christmas cookies and see antique feather trees, fragile hand-blown ornaments, delicate Scherenschnitte, sugar ornaments and antique toys on display. A traditional outdoor Christkindlmarkt cart selling Springerle molds, German pop-up cards, ornaments and books will be set up at the Visitor Center entrance on Second and Market streets (weather permitting).
Take a Holiday Tour of Hermann Farm
The holidays are a special time at Hermann Farm, where German traditions are celebrated with tours of historic buildings, decorated in period style.
Hermann Farm will be offering Holiday Carriage rides and House tours on select days during the Christmas season. For more information, visit HermannFarm.org.
Shop the Christmas Markets
Enjoy Christmas crafts, treats, carolers, and mulled wine at the annual Kristkindl Markt at Hermann’s Stone Hill Winery, renowned for its rich history and award-winning wines. The free event is Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8.
Christkindlmarkt at Hermannhof evokes the ambiance of European Christmas markets. Set for Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15, these markets are cherished for their authenticity, hospitality, and the joy they bring during the holiday season.
Christmas Market at The Loft at Fernweh Distilling Co. offers handmade gifts by local artists, makers and crafters! Shop leisurely in the Loft at Fernweh with all small, independent vendors. What better way to gift than to gift homemade while supporting local?
Visit Jolly Ole’ St. Nick
Better known in Germany as “Weihnachtsmann,” Santa Claus will be at Sugar Momma’s on Sunday, December 15th. Stop in for a heartwarming tradition that adds a touch of magic to the holiday season. Bring letters, take a photo with Santa, and indulge in your favorite holiday treats!
Enjoy Sweet Treats on the Annual Cookie Walk
Hermann’s Annual Cookie Walk, Friday and Saturday, December 20-21, is an opportunity to enjoy the season’s simple pleasures, savoring delicious treats as you walk through the town collecting cookies from our participating businesses. Tickets are $20, and one ticket represents one cookie walk collection bag. This year’s event features at least 20 participating businesses, which means you’ll get at least 20 cookies per ticket.
Delight Your Senses With Food & Wine
New this year, Bar Vin Wine & Spirits will be having a Beaujolais Nouveau Party on Thursday, November 21st at 5:30pm. In Beaujolais, France, the harvest of Gamay grapes precedes that year’s traditional first release of bottled wine anywhere: the tart, sweet, and fruity Beaujolais Nouveau. Perfect as an accompaniment to many Thanksgiving dishes, this wine is celebrated world-wide on the 3rd Thursday in November, and Bar Vin will have some Boujolais Noveau ready to drink! Tickets are available until November 18th: click here.
Friday, December 13, is the Great Stone Hill Beast Feast. A fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), 100 percent of the money raised, including ticket sales, will be donated to the LLS. The night will feature wild game appetizers, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions!
Holiday Spirits in the Air
Whether you’re sipping mulled wine, toasting with champagne, or trying festive cocktails, the holiday season invites the enjoyment of unique drinks and social gatherings. With a variety of wineries, bars, and distilleries, Hermann has the perfect place for family and friends to celebrate.
Whisk yourself away on a whiskey adventure on the Hermann Whiskey Trail Friday and Saturday, December 6-7. Paid guests (tasting or non-tasting) can enjoy complimentary rides on the Hermann Trolley to journey between six unique whiskey stops. Receive a commemorative glass and get the chance to win a grand prize when you visit all the stops.
Santa Rampage is a fun pub crawl where over 120 “Santas” join in the fun to benefit the Community Christmas charity and help provide toys and clothes to local children in need. The event takes place Saturday, December 14 at Celebration Hall at the Tin Mill Restaurant. After the crawl, there will be dancing and a silent auction.
Indulge in a delightful wine and cheese pairing experience on the Say Cheese Wine Trail, featuring classic and creative combinations. This annual event occurs on Saturday, December 14. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Hermann Chamber of Commerce. This limited opportunity allows you to explore six area wineries. The ticket price does not include transportation to the wineries.
Whether you’re ready to celebrate classic traditions or forge new ones, Hermann is the perfect place to revel in the holiday magic.
