Klöpfleinsnächte | Knocking Nights

Last 3 Thursdays before Christmas: Klöpfleinsnächte | Knocking Nights

Klöpfleinsnächte | Knocking Nights

In Germany, the three Thursday’s before Christmas are known as Klöpfleinsnächte or Knocking Nights–Anklopfnächte, Klöpfleinsnächte, and Klöpfelnächte, respectively. A long time ago in the Bavarian region of Germany, people believed evil spirits and witches went about causing mischief on Thursday nights during Advent. Children dressed in costumes and walked through the streets banging lids, clanging cowbells, rattling tin cans, and making noise in general. They threw peas or lentils at windows. Sometimes a small gift was thrown through an open window, anonymously. Children knocked on doors, recited poems, and received treats in return. There are some parts of Germany that still carry on this tradition.

⇴ image from Pixabay.com

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