Weihnachten

A man dressed as Saint Nicholas in Baden-Baden for Weihnachten celebrations
A man dressed as Nikolaus for Weihnachten in Baden-Baden

Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪnaxtn̩] ⓘ) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also widespread in countries with a German-speaking minority, such as Transylvania in Romania, South Tyrol in Italy, Eupen in Belgium, and various diasporas such as the German Brazilian and German American communities. Traditions of Weihnachten influenced Advent and Christmastide culture throughout the world.