![]() Photo: picture alliance / Ina Fassbender/dpa | Ina Fassbender Men drinking on Vatertag in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia in 2017. This has led to an annual threefold increase of alcohol-related traffic accidents on this day each year, making it one of the peak times of year for reckless intoxication, according to the Federal Statistics Office. Nowadays, these often no-women-allowed groups wear coordinated costumes and go on bike rides, hikes and strolls with their Bollerwagen booze-carts in tow. Men would ride into town on carts or carriages and whoever had produced the most children would be rewarded with a big slice of ham, according to Spiegel.īy the 19th century, though, religion become less relevant and the day became more and more about ‘being a man’ through drinking, smoking and hiking, especially in now former communist East Germany where the religious holiday was abolished and eager binge drinkers decided to take the day off anyway to indulge in tradition. The tradition dates back to the 18th century as a way to celebrate Jesus returning to the Holy Father. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Guido Kirchner Men with their Bollerwagen in Warendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, on Father's Day 2020 in Germany. ![]() This might be surprising for newcomers who see Father’s Day as a time for cheesy “World’s Best Dad” mugs and ugly neckties.īut the German way is more about celebrating manhood and going out into nature in “gentlemen parties” (Herrenpartien) while pulling along decorated Bollerwagen (handcarts) filled to the brim with food and booze. In 2022 the day falls on Thursday May 26th.īut in Germany you’re more likely to see day-drinking debauchery than pious reverence for the holiday (unless you’re in Bavaria) and it’s not just because people are excited not to work.Īscension Day in Germany is also Father’s Day (Vatertag), or Men’s Day (Männertag) as it’s called in some places, and the traditional way that Germans like to honour dear old Dad is with good old beer, and lots of it.Īnd that means you may spot some groups of men drinking beer on Thursday - or dads will get a day to relax in front of the telly at home. On the 40th day of Easter, Catholic tradition says Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, thus why Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday - and we in Germany get to revel in a nice holiday from work. ![]()
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