The Holiday Collection
The short answer: Christmas traditions around the world show how one holiday takes on many local flavors. In Mexico families walk in candlelit processions, in Sweden girls wear crowns of candles, and in Japan many people eat fried chicken. Here are 20 customs from around the globe, with simple ways to bring a few of them home.
Our picks for christmas traditions around the world
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Why Christmas looks different everywhere
Britannica notes that Christmas blends Christian worship with older winter customs. As the holiday spread, each region added its own foods, dates and folk figures. Climate matters, too. A summer Christmas in Australia looks nothing like a snowy one in Finland.
Christmas traditions in Europe
- Germany: Christmas markets fill town squares through Advent with crafts, sausages and mulled wine.
- Austria: Krampus, a horned figure from Alpine folklore, roams on December 5 to scare naughty kids.
- Netherlands: Sinterklaas arrives in November and brings gifts on the evening of December 5.
- Sweden: On St. Lucia Day, December 13, girls wear white gowns and candle crowns and serve saffron buns.
- Iceland: Thirteen Yule Lads visit on the nights before Christmas. Families also swap books on Christmas Eve, a custom called the book flood.
- Italy: La Befana, a kind witch, fills children's stockings on the night of January 5.
- Poland: The Wigilia supper on Christmas Eve starts when the first star appears. An extra place is set for a stranger.
- Spain: In Catalonia, kids tap the Caga Tió log until it "drops" small gifts.
- Ukraine: Some trees carry spider web ornaments, linked to a folk tale about a poor family's tree.
- United Kingdom: Families pull Christmas crackers and wear paper crowns at dinner.
Christmas traditions in the Americas
- Mexico: Las Posadas runs from December 16 to 24, reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter.
- Venezuela: In Caracas, some people roller-skate to early morning Mass in the days before Christmas.
- Puerto Rico: Parrandas are joyful late-night caroling visits from house to house.
- Canada and the United States: Cookies for Santa, stockings and light displays are standard.
Christmas traditions in Asia, Africa and Oceania
- Philippines: Simbang Gabi is a series of nine dawn Masses from December 16 to 24.
- Japan: Christmas is a festive but nonreligious day, and fried chicken dinners are popular.
- Ethiopia: Orthodox Christians celebrate Ganna on January 7 with fasting, church and a feast.
- Ghana: Families gather for church, music and a big shared meal on Christmas Day.
- Australia: Christmas falls in summer, so beach days and barbecues are common.
- India: In Goa and Kerala, homes hang paper star lanterns outside.
Christmas traditions at a glance
| Country | Tradition | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Las Posadas | December 16 to 24 |
| Sweden | St. Lucia Day | December 13 |
| Austria | Krampus night | December 5 |
| Iceland | Book flood | December 24 |
| Philippines | Simbang Gabi | December 16 to 24 |
| Italy | La Befana | January 5 to 6 |
| Ethiopia | Ganna | January 7 |
Christmas foods from around the world
Food is often the easiest way to share a culture. Germans bake stollen, a fruit bread dusted with sugar. Italians share panettone and, on Christmas Eve in some families, a meal of many fish dishes. In Mexico, families make tamales together and sip warm ponche. Filipinos eat bibingka, a rice cake, after dawn Mass. In the UK, a flaming Christmas pudding is carried to the table. Swedes set out a julbord buffet with herring, meatballs and ham.
Pick one dish to cook as a family. Talk about where it comes from while you eat. It's a cheap, cozy way to travel without leaving the kitchen.
Gift bringers around the world
Santa Claus is only one of many gift bringers. Children in Italy wait for La Befana. In parts of Latin America and Spain, the Three Kings bring gifts on January 6. Germans and Austrians may get gifts from the Christkind, a childlike angel. Russian children know Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost. Each figure carries its own stories, and kids love comparing them.
How to try these traditions at home
You don't need a passport to borrow a tradition. Choose one country a year and keep it simple:
- Bake saffron buns on December 13 for St. Lucia Day.
- Give each person a new book on Christmas Eve, Iceland style.
- Hold a mini posada with candles and a walk around the block.
- Leave shoes out on January 5 for a small La Befana treat.
- Set an extra place at the table, as Polish families do.
For more ideas, see our Christmas Eve traditions and cheap family Christmas traditions.
Music is part of the holiday almost everywhere. Explore carols and classics in our Christmas songs list.
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Frequently asked questions
What are some Christmas traditions around the world? Christmas traditions around the world include Las Posadas processions in Mexico, St. Lucia Day candles in Sweden, Christmas markets in Germany, the Yule Lads and book flood in Iceland, La Befana in Italy, Simbang Gabi dawn masses in the Philippines, KFC Christmas dinners in Japan and beach barbecues in Australia. Each one reflects local history, faith and climate.
Which country has the most unusual Christmas tradition? Many people point to Austria and Germany, where Krampus, a horned figure from Alpine folklore, roams the streets around December 5 to scare naughty children. Others mention Catalonia's Caga Tió, a smiling log that kids tap with sticks until it drops small gifts. Japan's tradition of eating fried chicken on Christmas also surprises many visitors.
When do other countries celebrate Christmas? Most countries celebrate Christmas on December 25, but the main celebration often happens on Christmas Eve, December 24, in places like Germany, Poland and much of Latin America. Many Orthodox Christians in countries such as Ethiopia, Russia and Serbia celebrate on January 7, because they follow the older Julian calendar for church dates.
How can my family try Christmas traditions from other countries? Pick one country each December and try its tradition at home. You might bake Swedish saffron buns for St. Lucia Day, hang a German pickle ornament, give books on Christmas Eve like Icelanders, or leave shoes out on January 5 for La Befana. Kids learn about the world, and the season gains a new ritual.
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Sources
- Britannica: Christmas britannica.com
- Britannica: Las Posadas britannica.com
- Britannica: Krampus britannica.com