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When you think of Thanksgiving, you probably think of the 1621 Pilgrims and the Native Americans in New England giving thanks for that year’s harvest. Well the offering of thanks at harvest time is not unique to the United States. Giving thanks during harvesting has been observed in many other cultures throughout history including ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Germany has its own Thanksgiving celebration, called “Erntedankfest,” which literally translates to harvest-thanks-fest.
Even though harvest festivals predate Christianity, the German Thanksgiving is a traditional Christian celebration that serves as a way for believers to thank God for the gifts of harvest. As a result, most local church communities will have a special service or even a small event to celebrate.
It is not an official German holiday but still a popular date in the German calendar, especially at daycares and pre-schools, at the end of September or early October, with most church services taking place on the first Sunday of October.
Erntedankfest is not a big day of family get-togethers and feasting like you may be accustomed to in the U.S. It is primarily a rural celebration, and is part of a church service in larger cities. In many German communities, however, festivities also include parades with floats and marching bands as well as farmer’s markets.
