30 Unique Ways Christmas Is Celebrated Around the World

As someone who has spent a significant part of my life immersed in the rich tapestry of global traditions and customs, I find it absolutely captivating to explore the unique holiday practices that each country holds dear. From Ukraine’s golden spiderwebs to Venezuela’s roller-skating carolers, these traditions not only reflect the essence of a nation but also serve as a testament to the boundless creativity and spirit of humanity.

Across the globe, Christmas is a widely recognized festival. However, the manner of celebration varies among individuals, and some even observe it on different dates.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find it fascinating how various nations, including my own – the United States, breathe life into the festive spirit with their distinctive traditions, a blend of time-honored customs and modern innovations, during the holiday season.

Starting in 1966, a unique tradition took root in the U.S., with WPIX, a local New York broadcaster, providing viewers, particularly those without fireplaces, a chance to experience the charm of a fireside atmosphere. They played a three-hour commercial-free loop of a burning log, accompanied by holiday music, as a “Christmas greeting” to their audience, as detailed in a 2008 TIME article on the history of the “Yule Log.” Over the years, this fascination with watching a TV fire has not waned, and even contemporary streaming platforms like Disney and Netflix have hopped on board, offering special editions themed around holidays, such as Frozen or Squid Game.

As a keen observer, I find it fascinating how Christmas, originally a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, has evolved over time to incorporate various cultural nuances and values – not forgetting its share of commercial influences. In the United States, for instance, one intriguing manifestation of this consumerist spirit is SantaCon, a yearly event that originated in San Francisco in 1994 but has now expanded to cities like New York. During SantaCon, you’ll often see crowds of people dressed as Santa Claus, many of them imbibed, roaming the streets. These festivities sometimes lead to several arrests due to vandalism and disorderly conduct.

Absolutely! Let me rephrase that for you in a more conversational style: You’ll find unique holiday traditions popping up everywhere you go. In this article, we’ll delve into the various dishes, tales, and practices that make Christmas celebrations special in different parts of the globe.

Australia

In Australia, where it’s summer during December due to its location in the southern hemisphere, there’s no such thing as a “white Christmas.” Instead, locals often celebrate by going to the beach, soaking up the sun, and participating in activities like swimming, barbecues, and park walks. As one person put it to Australian broadcaster SBS, “It’s very laid-back, everyone is in a great mood.

Austria

The mythical figure known as Krampus, a fearsome creature with half-goat, half-human characteristics, is well-known in the U.S. due to popular representations like the 2015 horror film “Krampus.” Originating from the folklore of Austria’s Alpine region, Krampus predates Christmas and has pagan roots, appearing during early winter solstice celebrations. Over time, he has evolved into a Christmas figure, often accompanying the more benevolent St. Nicholas. As TIME reported in 1953, Krampus is characterized by horns, a long lizard-like tail, and a hideous black tongue, and his purpose is to scare children.

Belarus

In Belarus, Christmas celebrations combine Christian traditions with local folklore, as noted by their national tourism agency. These festivities often occur in January, aligning with Orthodox Christian practices, although December 25 is also observed as a public holiday. The agency explains that for the people of Belarus, Christmas serves as an opportunity to reunite with family and preserve age-old customs. While some traditions such as a Christmas feast and carol singing are similar to those in other countries, certain unique Belarusian Christmas practices and superstitions catch the eye. For example, when visiting homes, it’s customary for a man to enter first to ensure a prosperous year ahead; another tradition involves melting wax in water to reveal the visage of a potential spouse, and lastly, tying the legs of the dining table with rope is believed to safeguard the home from misfortunes.

Catalonia

In the self-governing Spanish region of Catalonia, the nativity scene often includes an unusual character – a figure in a traditional red-peaked hat known as “el caganer,” or “the one who poops.” This quirky addition is found performing its unique act within the scene. The origin of this character can be traced back to the late 17th to early 18eenth centuries, during the Baroque period when realism was a significant aspect in art. Today, figurines based on famous personalities defecating have become popular souvenirs for tourists. Interestingly, Catalonia seems to have a fondness for incorporating “poop” into its holiday traditions: one such example is the “Tió de Nadal,” or “Christmas log,” which is a wooden log with a painted face and a traditional red-peaked hat called a “barretina.” These logs can be found in supermarkets across the region during December. The custom involves “feeding” and covering the log with a blanket for several weeks, after which it symbolically “poops” out candies on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning when children hit it with a stick and sing to it. Catalonia’s Tourism Board explains that the log represents the spirit of the forest, as well as protection and fertility, and serves to teach patience in children.

China

A significant portion of China does not follow any religion, as stated by the U.S. State Department. Unlike other countries, China does not recognize Christmas as a national holiday; however, it is celebrated by some and has grown in popularity since the 1990s. An American living in China explained to the state-run Global Times in 2015 that Christmas is becoming increasingly commercialized there, similar to other Western festivals. Some adaptations have been made to the holiday: Santa Claus in China often carries a saxophone, and a new custom has emerged—the gifting of “peace apples,” as the Chinese word for apple is píngguǒ, and Christmas Eve sounds like píng’ān yè (“peaceful night”).

Czechia

In contrast to many other countries where turkey or ham are often the main dishes for Christmas, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, carp takes center stage. The Czech Tourist Authority considers this fish as an essential emblem of Czech Christmas celebrations. Interestingly, even those who don’t eat it participate by buying one and keeping it in their bathtub for a few days before releasing it. Another custom associated with carp is placing one or two scales in your wallet to ensure financial prosperity throughout the year. A less fishy but equally traditional Czech superstition involves women tossing a shoe on Christmas Day: if the open end faces outwards, she’s believed to be likely to marry within the upcoming year.

Denmark

In Denmark, families do rock around the Christmas tree. “It’s a tradition in Danish houses to dance around the Christmas tree, holding hands as a family while you sing Christmas songs, before you start opening presents,” according to VisitDenmark. And that tree is typically adorned with real candles. According to Atlas Obscura, also on Christmas Eve, some families believe in appeasing the nisser—barn-dwelling house elves that are said to help residents survive tough winters—and many children continue to leave a bowl of risengrød, or sweet porridge, for the folkloric creatures. But the general festivities begin a lot earlier than Dec. 24. According to VisitDenmark, julebrygsdag, or J-Day, a holiday manufactured in 1990 by the Danish beer company Tuborg, marks the beginning of the holiday season on the first Friday of November. Some Danish will also countdown to Christmas by burning a large kalenderlys candle each day of December.

Ethiopia

Approximately 44% of Ethiopians are followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, as reported by the U.S. State Department. Similar to other Orthodox denominations, they celebrate Christmas in January. As one of the earliest countries to adopt Christianity, Ethiopia’s Christmas observance differs significantly from Western traditions; it lacks Santa Claus and gift exchanges and is more focused on religious practices. Fasting is a significant aspect of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, with many adherents observing the 43-day fast known as Tsome Nebiyat, abstaining from meat, fat, eggs, and dairy products during this period, which concludes on Ethiopian Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, or Ganna (Genna), people don white clothing to attend morning mass. A traditional part of the Ethiopian Christmas celebration, especially in rural areas, is a field hockey-like game called Ye Genna Chewata. It’s said that this game originated when Ethiopian shepherds, upon hearing news of Jesus’ birth, joyously tossed objects with their crooks.

Finland

Approximately 75% of Finnish families typically observe two traditions during the holiday season: visiting cemeteries on Christmas Eve to light candles for their departed relatives, and participating in a Christmas sauna, which is believed to be one of Finland’s oldest holiday customs. The family often takes a sauna together on Christmas Eve in the afternoon. After enjoying their Christmas meal, it’s customary to bring treats to the sauna spirit, or sauna elf, as Finnish folklore suggests that every sauna harbors its own sauna spirit who deserves care and respect.

France

In France, as well as in many other locations, the Christmas season reaches its peak on January 6th – the Epiphany, which honors the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. To mark this occasion in a culinary manner, the French enjoy a flaky pastry called Galette des Rois, a cake filled with frangipane and often accompanied by a paper crown. However, this dessert holds more significance than just being a sweet treat: concealed within is a ceramic charm known as the fève. Whoever finds this hidden charm in their slice can wear the paper crown for the day, acting as royalty. This tradition of the fève is rooted in ancient Rome, where during the Saturnalia festival, slaves were granted freedom for a day and a “king” was chosen randomly to represent temporary rulership.

Greece

In Greece, instead of a Christmas tree, a boat is traditionally used as a symbol. Before 1833, Greeks would decorate a small boat called a ‘karavaki’ to honor their connection with the sea and seafarers. This practice was reported by the Greek News Agenda. The boats are typically adorned on December 6, which is St. Nicholas’ feast day. Interestingly, St. Nicholas isn’t just associated with Christmas; he’s also known as the patron saint of sailors. Additionally, Greece has its unique Christmas creatures called ‘Kallikantzaroi.’ These mythical beings are said to dwell underground all year and emerge during the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 through January 6) to cause mischief among humans, as reported by Greek News Agenda.

Greenland

Greenland’s Christmas celebrations begin with a cherished custom: Every home across the nation displays an intricate orange and yellow paper star that illuminates homes with its warm, golden glow, as described by Greenland Travel. This practice traces back to the workplaces lighting their stars on the last working day before Advent Sunday, according to the Greenland National Museum & Archives. Families then personalize their decorations on Advent Sunday itself, often including the illumination of their own Christmas star. The museum further notes that while December 24th is dedicated to children, December 25th—the primary Christmas day—is for adults and the elderly, and December 26th is set aside for young people. The festivities conclude on the Epiphany (Jan. 6), when decorations are taken down. Food plays a crucial role in the holiday, with traditional Greenland Christmas dishes like whale skin and blubber (mattak), fermented little auks in seal carcass (kiviak), and reindeer meat (tuttu) being common.

Guatemala

In Guatemala, the Christmas season commences with the burning of an effigy representing the devil, known as la quema del diablo, on December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is the city’s patron saint. At precisely 6 p.m. that day, Guatemalans traditionally burn effigies of the devil, as well as unwanted items, as part of a spiritual cleansing. However, this annual pyromaniac event has been criticized for contributing to pollution, and the country’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources encourages more eco-friendly ways to celebrate during the holiday season.

Iceland

In Iceland, the festivities of Christmas extend beyond the conventional 12 days, lasting up to Christmas Eve. This is because each of the Yule Lads, a set of thirteen folkloric characters, has their own dedicated day according to Guide to Iceland. The Yule Lads are not associated with Santa Claus but instead include an ogress named Grýla, her lazy troll husband Leppalúði, their thirteen children (the Yule Lads), and their cat Jólakötturinn (the Christmas Cat).

Indonesia

Despite Indonesia being predominantly Muslim, it also boasts a substantial Christian population, making up over 10% of its 280 million inhabitants. Consequently, various communities in Southeast Asia celebrate Christmas with distinct traditions. For instance, the North Sumatrans observe the Marbinda, where they buy animals for ceremonial sacrifice using collective funds. Similarly, some Jakarta residents perform the rabo-rabo, a ritual dating back over a century that involves wiping others’ faces with powder as a purification rite. Moreover, Balinese Christians embellish their homes with penjor, long bamboo poles adorned with coconut leaves, while Balinese of all faiths partake in Ngejot – the act of sharing homemade dishes with neighbors, friends, and family to express gratitude and commemorate religious harmony.

Ireland

In Ireland, two well-established yearly traditions around Christmas time are the Late Late Toy Show and the Christmas Day swim. The Late Late Toy Show, first aired in 1975, is a special episode of Ireland’s longest-running late-night talk show that presents children sharing their genuine thoughts about the most popular toys of the year. This beloved television staple includes celebrity appearances and funds are raised for charity. On the other hand, the Christmas Day sea swim usually occurs on December 25th when people gather at beaches and lakes across the island to brave the cold waters, which are typically around 10°C (50°F). Some argue that there are health benefits to this chilly plunge, but most participate simply for the sense of camaraderie. Additionally, many locations use this event as a means to raise funds for charity. One popular location for a Christmas Day swim is Sandycove’s Forty Foot swimming area in County Dublin, which has gained popularity recently due to the Apple TV+ show called Bad Sisters.

Italy

In Italy, while Father Christmas is revered as Babbo Natale, there’s another gift-giver in the holiday sky: the benevolent witch figure known as La Befana. Unlike Babbo Natale, she doesn’t make her appearance on Christmas Eve, but instead takes flight on the eve of the Epiphany. The origins of La Befana are a blend of paganism and religion, with connections to the Three Wise Men parable and the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. Every January, a town in Marche region hosts a festival dedicated to La Befana, transforming the entire area into a magical landscape filled with sweets for kids and some costumed as the famous witch. Christmas in Italy is also characterized by the unique sound of the zampognari, holiday bagpipers. These musicians, who are typically found in regions like Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise, Puglia, and Lazio, originally were shepherds living in the mountains who played their pipes in town market squares to earn extra money. They are said to be based on the legend that some of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus were inspired to play their bagpipes.

Japan

As someone observing from the outside, even though just 1.1% of Japan’s population identifies as Christian, according to the U.S. State Department, post-World War II Japan has enthusiastically embraced Christmas, largely due to the continuous presence of the U.S. military. Today, however, it’s not carols or nativity scenes that define their Christmas, but rather the popular holiday meal: KFC. As I learned from Smithsonian Magazine, the “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) marketing campaign in 1974, a brilliant idea conceived by the American fast-food chicken chain, has made KFC so popular that advance orders are necessary to satisfy everyone’s craving.

Latvia

A beloved winter custom in Latvia, often happening around Christmas, is the masked parade known as ķekatas. As reported by The Baltic Times, these processions frequently feature masks depicting animals such as bears, goats, horses, wolves, and occasionally gypsies or the undead. According to Latvian Public Broadcasting, these masked events were once thought to bestow prosperity and blessings upon households they visited, and were even believed to have originated from a fertility rite.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, they mark Sinterklaas Day on December 6, honoring St. Nicholas, a saint believed to have been the inspiration for Santa Claus. This tradition dates back over 700 years, as reported by Euronews. A beloved aspect of Sinterklaas is exchanging poems, but the holiday has become contentious due to the character Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), who accompanies St. Nicholas and helps distribute gifts. Critics argue that Black Pete’s blackface depiction is offensive and outdated. The character’s origins are unclear, with some suggesting he’s a Moorish servant, others claiming he’s a freed Ethiopian slave, while others believe his dark features come from chimney soot. Despite these debates, many modern celebrations have replaced the blackface character with Sooty Piet, who showcases the natural skin tone of the actor, as reported by Dutch News.

Norway

In Norway, Christmas isn’t fully celebrated without the traditional drink known as Yule ale. Historically, brewing this beer was customary and sharing it in fellowship was considered nearly sacred, as stated by visitnorway.com, the official travel guide of the Norwegian government. At one time, this beverage – with roots traced back to the pre-Christian midwinter festival but later adapted to honor Mary and Jesus – was required. Today, it remains a significant and common aspect of celebrating the festive season, as mentioned by the University of South-Eastern Norway.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the celebratory period is known as the Ber Months (September, October, November, December) and is marked by Jose Mari Chan’s music playing in shopping malls, signaling the start on September 1st. This season also brings the sales of traditional decorations such as parols, star-shaped lanterns. Similar to some Latin American countries, Christmas Eve is commonly celebrated with a Noche Buena feast, and many devout Catholics (who make up about 80% of the population) attend the Midnight Mass. While there’s no specific end date for this season, some view the Epiphany in January as its conclusion.

Poland

In Poland, it’s customary that the festive Christmas Eve meal isn’t complete without the opłatek, a delicate white bread wafer. This tradition, as recognized by the Polish government, has roots dating back centuries and is also observed in other parts of Europe, but it’s particularly synonymous with Christmas in Poland. The family members exchange well-wishes prior to partaking, and this wafer signifies forgiveness, reconciliation, friendship, and love.

Portugal

On Christmas Eve in Portugal, it’s common to have a special meal called Consoada. This meal, often featuring salted cod and other dishes, can be eaten either before or after the Missa do Galo, which is midnight mass. The meal marks the conclusion of a period of fasting before Christmas. Traditionally, people set places at the table for deceased relatives during this supper, or else they keep the table laid and a candle or lamp burning all night to comfort and soothe the souls of those who have passed away. As per the national tourist board.

Slovakia

As per Conde Nast Traveller, during the superstitious Slovakian holiday tradition, a household head might engage in the playful act of tossing a spoonful of loksa (a combination of bread dough, poppy seeds, and honey) towards the ceiling. The reasoning behind this is that the amount of pudding that sticks to the ceiling predicts the family’s fortune for the upcoming year: “The more pudding that clings, the greater the family’s luck and prosperity.” A Slovakian-American family shared a loksa recipe online, commenting on the excitement this brings to their Christmas Eve meal: “It definitely makes your dinner interesting, but it does raise an intriguing question. Can someone who consents to such an act truly be considered a ‘mature and responsible adult’?

Syria

In Syria, it’s not Santa Claus but the camel that steals the spotlight during Christmas. As reported by Middle East Eye, this majestic creature is traditionally the gift-giver to well-behaved children, a practice rooted in the tale of how camels transported the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to meet baby Jesus, who then bestowed eternal life upon these animals. On Christmas Eve, children prepare for the camel’s visit by filling shoes with hay and setting out bowls of water. Additionally, some Syrian and Iraqi Christians follow a custom where they burn a bonfire made of dried thorny branches after reading the nativity story under candlelight. The belief is that if the thorns turn to ash completely, the upcoming year will bring good fortune.

Tanzania

In Tanzania, a nation primarily Christian with about 66 million inhabitants, Andariya shares that Christmas observance mirrors global customs of religious practices and gift-exchange, but family gatherings and food hold extraordinary importance. Many families journey to their rural villages during this season, notably the Chaga and Haya tribes who reside in the Mt. Kilimanjaro and Kagera regions respectively. The surge of travel is humorously dubbed “the great migration” due to its scale. Transportation services bound for Kilimanjaro are fully booked before Christmas, while some families opt for private cars or carpooling with fellow travelers.

Ukraine

Due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, public Christmas celebrations in Ukraine have been scaled back, but families continue to honor the holiday in their homes. A prominent decoration you’ll notice is the didukh, a sheaf of wheat stalks that symbolizes our ancestors’ spirits, as it is believed they return during these sacred days to spend time with their loved ones. Another unique Ukrainian Christmas tradition involves decorating the tree with pavuchki, or spiders and spiderwebs. These adornments are said to have originated from an Eastern European folktale, in which a spider miraculously transformed its web into gold and silver on Christmas morning for a poor family who could not afford decorations.

Venezuela

In the “Top Unknown Holiday Traditions” report of 2021 published by Catholic magazine America Magazine, they delve into the history of Venezuela’s unique tradition called las patinatas (skating), which started in the 1950s but has become less frequent due to safety issues from rising violence and political instability within the country. Yet, as reported by Atlas Obscura in 2022, there are signs it might be reviving. As described by America Magazine, during nine days leading up to Christmas, Venezuelans, particularly those in poorer communities, would attend early morning masses across the country, traveling to church with their families on rollerskates while singing aguinaldos (Venezuelan Christmas carols). A U.K.-based Venezuelan explained it as a mini-festival where people gather in parks for music, much like Central Park, skating and singing Christmas songs. They added that roller skating is not common but only during the Christmas season.

Wales

In Wales since the 19th century, Christmas Day signified the start of a three-week holiday period (Y Gwyliau) when farming activities were halted, as stated on Welsh Otter’s website. The Welsh have unique traditions for this timeframe, such as Plygain, an early service of carols on Christmas Day, and Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Night) on Christmas Eve, where toffees were made, games played, and stories shared while decorating homes with holly and mistletoe before heading to church. The Welsh have their own interpretation of Santa Claus: Siôn Corn (Chimney Pot John), first described in a 1922 Welsh poem as a “benevolent ghost.” However, Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare or Grey Mary) is the most well-known holiday figure. This character, made from a real horse’s skull draped in white cloth and decorated with ornaments, would be paraded through villages by its creators who would sing traditional Welsh songs (wassails) and participate in the ritual of pwnco: an exchange of witty rhymes between the Mari’s party and homeowners, often resulting in the Mari emerging victorious, bringing good fortune for the year.

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2024-12-18 14:08