Hello, 1st time on here. 1st time to Germany. Just found out last minute (as in this weekend) we will be there Dec 16-25. Have ZERO itinerary planned, but am trying to get ducks in a row. Planning to attend Christmas Eve services in Cologne at the lovely cathedral. What is the dress for men/women so we can pack accordingly? Our church here in the USA is men suit/tie and women dress/dress pants but wanted to know for packing. I should say it is expected but not required here at our church as some show in jeans and a tshirt and are still welcome. A dress and dress shoes to pack are easier for me JUSTICE FOR ONCE!!!! than a suit/tie/dress shoes will be for him :) Has anyone been to a Christmas Eve Service here?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5391 posts
The cathedral website has a FAQ on appropriate dress: "Clothing should be appropriate for the house of God. Sleeveless or cropped tops are considered inappropriate as are short shorts or skirts. Men may cover their heads for health or religious reasons. Religiously offensive or racist symbols will not be tolerated"
However, keep in mind the weather, and the fact that the cathedral will be quite cool. Since you likely won't want to even remove your coats or jackets, I wouldn't worry about a suit and tie, or even dress shoes.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5527 posts
Check to see if the Cathedral is heated. I have been in churches in the winter in which my feet froze! You may need layers.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
OP
Texas
3 posts
Thank you both. I assumed the crop tops and offensive slang were out. LoL the fact that even has to be said is mind boggling! I hadn't thought about it being cold in the sanctuary. That is so true and I appreciate your pointing this out. I was thinking of wearing black corduroy pants, a turtleneck sweater and some dressy flats. I was going to carry them in my backpack and slip them on before walking in if the weather is rough so I don't look like a drowned rat. Now that I look at our flight,we may not be able to do Christmas Eve service there. Ours is always at midnight here and I know trains are on limited schedule on the holidays. Our flight is the next morning (Christmas day) out of Frankfurt at 10 something a.m. so no way I am chancing missing my flight. Hubs will need to go to this church earlier on in the trip.
Again, I appreciate you both and your helpful replies!
Posted by
Northwest Arkansas
647 posts
There is a midnight Christmas Eve mass in the Cologne Dom. If you are OK with just a few hours sleep before flying home, it is doable.
As an alternative, book a hotel adjcent to the Frankfurt airport (e.g. Sheraton) for Christmas Eve. Attend a service in Frankfurt and taxi to the airport at the end of the service. Since you skip the hour+ trip from Cologne to FRA, you mighjt find this less stressful on your travel home day. See the Dom and drink some Kolsch earlier in the week.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7647 posts
The Cathedral website shows that Midnight Mass is at 2255, preceded by Christmas Music at 2230.
There are masses earlier in the day at 0615, 0700 and 0800 and also Vespers at 1530. So Vespers may be a good service to attend.
The 0700 seems to be the principal daytime mass that day.
Posted by
California USA
4085 posts
Regardless of where you may be able to attend an evening service, I would like to add that big stone cathedrals in any Northern European city are rarely heated much. We’ve always just worn our layers and coats even on Christmas Eve.
Posted by
OP
Texas
3 posts
@JKH-- I can go without sleep, since we will just be sitting on the plane for the next 11 hours on t he ride home, but DH who is the Catholic (I am not) will not make it without sleep! LOL! I will run it past him and see if he thinks it is something he will want to do. The trains and the schedules are giving me anxiety with the booking ahead. Prices appear to go up every few days in price on these trains! I was also concerned with the train schedules Christmas Eve/Christmas day being reduced.
@isn31c -- Thank you for letting me know these times. I will need to ask my husband if he is willing to go without sleep that night for Cologne. I hadn't realized the distance from Cologne to Frankfurt on the trains and was worried about reduced trains because of the holiday schedules.
@Mona --- I appreciate your letting me know about the "chill", I knew in my head that old stone buildings are always cold, but why I never thought about them being seriously cold in Europe is a mystery to me. I should have thought of that and I didn't so I appreciate everyone letting me know that I need to dress for Friday night Football in November in North Texas. Layers LAYERS Layers!
Posted by
Western Canada
3445 posts
Do wear some good warm layers…long underwear if you have it!
I went to a concert in Notre Dame in Paris….before the fire….one early February evening and nearly froze.
I did have warm layers on, but sitting still without moving made it much colder.
There is nothing like hearing music in an old European stone church.