How Do You Say “Boxing Day” in German – and Why It Doesn’t Really Exist 🎁🇩🇪
- Jens Olesen
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’re learning German and trying to talk about the Christmas period, you may suddenly find yourself stuck on a very British problem:
How do you say Boxing Day in German?
The short answer is: you don’t – at least not in the way you might expect. Boxing Day is a culturally specific concept, and German has no true equivalent.
Let’s look at what Germans say instead, and why the idea of Boxing Day simply doesn’t exist in German-speaking countries.
The Short Answer
There is no direct German translation of Boxing Day.
You will sometimes see:
der zweite Weihnachtstag
der 26. Dezember
Both refer to 26 December, but neither means Boxing Day in the British sense.
What Germans Call 26 December
In Germany (as well as Austria and parts of Switzerland), 26 December is called:
👉 der zweite Weihnachtstag
(literally: “the second Christmas Day”)
This is an official public holiday, just like Christmas Day itself.
You may also hear:
am zweiten Weihnachtstag – on Boxing Day / on 26 December
der 26. Dezember – the 26th of December
But crucially, none of these expressions imply sales, shopping, or sport.
Why Boxing Day Doesn’t Exist in German
To understand why there is no German word for Boxing Day, we need to look at history and culture.
1. Boxing Day Is a British Tradition
Boxing Day originates in the UK and parts of the Commonwealth. Traditionally, it was the day when:
servants received “Christmas boxes”
tradespeople were given tips or gifts
people visited friends and family
Over time, it became associated with:
major sporting events
shopping and sales
leisure and travel
This cultural package simply doesn’t exist in Germany.
2. Christmas Is Structured Differently in Germany
In German-speaking countries:
Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) is the main family celebration
25 and 26 December are both calm public holidays
Shops are usually closed
There is no tradition of bargain-hunting or mass sport events
The emphasis is on:
rest
family meals
church services
quiet time
Calling 26 December Boxing Day would therefore make little cultural sense.
3. The Religious Calendar Matters
Historically, 26 December is St Stephen’s Day (Stephani-Tag), a Christian feast day. While the religious aspect is less prominent today, the calendar structure remains.
This is why German uses a descriptive term:
erster Weihnachtstag – 25 December
zweiter Weihnachtstag – 26 December
Rather than a separate cultural label like Boxing Day.
So What Should You Say in German?
If you’re speaking German and want to refer to Boxing Day, the safest options are:
✔ am zweiten Weihnachtstag
Am zweiten Weihnachtstag besuchen wir meine Großeltern.(On Boxing Day / on 26 December we visit my grandparents.)
✔ am 26. Dezember
Am 26. Dezember sind die Geschäfte geschlossen.(On 26 December the shops are closed.)
❌ Avoid translating Boxing Day literally
There is no correct version such as:
der Boxing Day ❌
der Box-Tag ❌
der Geschenktag ❌
These would sound strange or meaningless to German speakers.
How to Explain Boxing Day to a German
If you need to explain the concept, for example in conversation, you could say:
Boxing Day ist ein britischer Feiertag am 26. Dezember mit Sportveranstaltungen und Sonderangeboten in Geschäften.
This makes it clear that:
it’s British
it’s cultural
it’s not the same as der zweite Weihnachtstag
A Common Learner Mistake
Many learners assume that every English holiday must have a German equivalent. This isn’t the case.
Language reflects culture, not just vocabulary. Boxing Day is a perfect example of how:
the same date
can carry completely different meanings
in different countries
Understanding this helps you sound more natural and culturally aware in German.
Final Thought
So, how do you say Boxing Day in German?
You don’t — because the concept doesn’t exist.
Instead, Germans simply talk about der zweite Weihnachtstag or der 26. Dezember, and they mean something much quieter and more reflective than the British Boxing Day.
And that’s a useful reminder that learning a language properly also means learning how other cultures organise time, traditions, and holidays 🎄🇩🇪
