🌍 Christmas Around the World 🎄

Papai Noel on the Beach

Since Christmas falls during Brazil's summer, celebrations often happen on the beach! Papai Noel (Brazilian Santa) sometimes arrives by helicopter ...

🇪🇹 Ethiopia (1 tradition)

Ganna - Ethiopian Christmas

Ethiopia celebrates Christmas (called Ganna) on January 7th according to the ancient Julian calendar. The celebration begins with a church service ...

🇫🇮 Finland (1 tradition)

Christmas Sauna

Finns traditionally enjoy a long, relaxing sauna on Christmas Eve. This ritual is considered sacred - it's believed that the sauna elf (saunatonttu...

🇫🇷 France (1 tradition)

Bûche de Noël

The Yule log cake (Bûche de Noël) is a traditional French Christmas dessert shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. This tradition originate...

🇩🇪 Germany (1 tradition)

Christkind and Christmas Markets

In Germany, the Christkind (Christ Child) brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The famous Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) are a beloved ...

🇬🇹 Guatemala (1 tradition)

La Quema del Diablo

On December 7th, Guatemalans participate in 'The Burning of the Devil' (La Quema del Diablo). People pile up garbage and unwanted items in front of...

🇮🇸 Iceland (1 tradition)

Legend

The Yule Lads

In Iceland, instead of one Santa Claus, there are 13 mischievous Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) who visit children on the 13 nights leading up to Christma...

🇮🇳 India (1 tradition)

Mango and Banana Trees

In India, where Christmas trees are not readily available, Christians decorate mango or banana trees instead. Some families also decorate their hom...

🇮🇹 Italy (1 tradition)

Legend

La Befana

In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). According to legend, she was visited b...

🇯🇵 Japan (1 tradition)

KFC Christmas Dinner

Thanks to a wildly successful 1970s marketing campaign, eating KFC on Christmas Eve has become a beloved Japanese tradition. Families pre-order the...

🇱🇧 Lebanon (1 tradition)

Bûche de Noël and Sablés

Lebanese Christians celebrate Christmas with French-influenced traditions, including the Yule log cake. However, they add their own twist with sabl...

🇲🇽 Mexico (1 tradition)

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a nine-night celebration from December 16-24 reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Participants go door-to-d...

🇳🇿 New Zealand (1 tradition)

Pohutukawa - The Christmas Tree

New Zealand's native pohutukawa tree blooms with brilliant red flowers in December, earning it the nickname 'New Zealand Christmas Tree.' These coa...

🇳🇴 Norway (1 tradition)

Hiding the Brooms

On Christmas Eve, Norwegian families hide all their brooms before going to bed. This tradition dates back to ancient times when people believed tha...

🇵🇭 Philippines (1 tradition)

Simbang Gabi

The Philippines celebrates one of the world's longest Christmas seasons! Simbang Gabi is a nine-day series of masses held at dawn from December 16-...

🇵🇱 Poland (1 tradition)

Wigilia Supper

Wigilia, the traditional Christmas Eve supper, is one of Poland's most important celebrations. The meal consists of 12 meatless dishes (representin...

🇿🇦 South Africa (1 tradition)

Braai Christmas Feast

South Africans celebrate Christmas during summer with a traditional braai (barbecue). Instead of turkey and ham, families gather for outdoor grilli...

🇰🇷 South Korea (1 tradition)

Christmas Cake Tradition

In South Korea, Christmas is more of a romantic holiday similar to Valentine's Day. Couples exchange gifts and go on dates, and Christmas cakes are...

🇪🇸 Spain (1 tradition)

Tió de Nadal

In Catalonia, the Tió de Nadal (Christmas Log) is a hollow log with a painted face and a red hat. Starting on December 8th, children 'feed' the log...

🇸🇪 Sweden (1 tradition)

Gävle Goat

Each year since 1966, the Swedish town of Gävle erects a giant straw goat (Gävlebocken) in the town square for Christmas. Standing 13 meters tall, ...

🇺🇸 United States (1 tradition)

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City is an iconic American tradition since 1933. The massive Norway Spruce, adorned with over 50,...

🇻🇪 Venezuela (1 tradition)