This is a post about Christmas traditions around the world.
Christmas is a time of joy, giving and unique traditions worldwide. Being from Brazil, my childhood Christmas experiences were much more aligned to Australians than that of Hollywood movies. Nothing really scandalous or shocking though apart from the 35-40ºC weather. Although my boyfriend was initially amazed by the fact in my house we eat chesters… come to think of it, as chesters seem to only exist in Brazil and their origin is still widely mysterious, maybe that’s not as normal a Christmas thing as I thought.
It’s a big world though and, across all the different countries we can find all kinds of traditions. A lot of them don’t even celebrate Christmas! As it’s not in their culture, obvs… From quirky to downright outrageous, here are 15 fascinating and fun facts about Christmas traditions around the world.
Venezuela: Roller Skate to Church
In Caracas, Venezuela, streets are closed on Christmas morning so people can roller skate to early mass. The festive activity is followed by fireworks and lively celebrations. Their holiday season also takes place in the summer so that works!
Austria and Germany: Krampus Night
Ok, this one is not actually fun. Austria and Germany celebrate Saint Nicholas with a terrifying twist. Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon creature, roams the streets on December 5th, punishing naughty children while St. Nick rewards the good ones.
Krampus actually came to light recently. It was reported that in an island in Germany, men were literally chasing women and spanking them with a cow horn. In 2024!!! WTF?!
South Africa: Fried Caterpillars
Some South Africans enjoy a delicacy of fried Emperor Moth caterpillars during Christmas. Apparently these crispy treats taste a bit like tea and are full of protein! Have you tried it?
Japan: Fried Chicken Feast
In Japan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday but thanks to a wildly successful KFC campaign in the 1970s, it’s customary to enjoy fried chicken on December 25th. Families pre-order buckets of KFC weeks in advance to avoid missing out!
I don’t know about you but I could totally be down with this!! (a tastier option rather than moth caterpillars…) In fact, this Christmas I’ll be dogsitting instead of visiting the fam and I always enjoy mixing traditions. Might just incorporate this one into the celebrations…
Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
The city of San Fernando hosts the Giant Lantern Festival, showcasing enormous, colourful lanterns. Known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines,” it draws visitors from around the globe. If you happen to be around, it starts very soon on 14 December and goes on until 1 January.
Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: Las Posadas
From December 16th to 24th, a number of Latin countries reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, known as Las Posadas. The celebration includes processions, prayers and vibrant parties. It lasts 9 days between 16-24 December.
Iceland: The Yule Lads and others
Icelandic children are visited by the 13 mischievous Yule Lads during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Each Lad leaves gifts or rotting potatoes in children’s shoes, depending on their behaviour.
Not satisfied, Icelanders also created the Yule Cat, a huge and vicious cat who lurks about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and EATS PEOPLE who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve.
Iceland has some of the most random traditions! But also one of my favourites that I’ve half started adopting a few years ago: Jólabókaflóðið or “Christmas book flood”. On Christmas Eve, friends and family exchange gifts (books!) and then proceed to spend the night reading them, often while drinking hot chocolate or alcohol-free Christmas ale.
Germany: The Pickle Ornament
Speaking of ornaments… Germans hide a pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas tree and the first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special gift or extra presents. The origins of this tradition remain a mystery maybe because it’s not actually German! At least I don’t remember this during my Christmas in Germany as an au pair…I asked some friends who are either German or have lived there about it. Guess what, they’ve never heard of it either! So I did some digging and found that this “German” tradition, much like the German Chocolate Cake, was invented in the US instead and credited to Germans for some reason. In Brazil we have both German and Dutch tarts which don’t actually exist in their alleged original countries but they are absolutely delicious so I’ll take it!
Norway: Hiding Brooms
Norwegian households hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them for midnight rides. This tradition stems from old folklore. Personally, I think I’d prefer to leave the brooms to attract witches and go for a ride-along! Would you?
Ukraine: Spiderweb Ornaments
In Ukraine, spiderwebs are considered lucky Christmas decorations. According to legend, a poor widow’s tree was magically adorned with webs that turned to gold and silver. Now they add it as an ornament to their trees and the first person to find it is the lucky one!
Italy: Befana the Witch
I don’t know what it is about Christmas traditions and witches but I like it! In Italy, Befana, an old witch, delivers presents to children on January 6th, Epiphany Eve. Legend says she missed the birth of Jesus and has been searching for him ever since. And people have the guts to call us witches evil!
Finland: Grave Visits
On Christmas Eve, Finnish families light candles and visit the graves of loved ones. Cemeteries glow with thousands of flickering candles, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. So thoughtful!
Spain (Catalonia): Caga Tió (The Pooping Log)
As far as Christmas traditions around the world go, this is one of the most random. In Catalonia, children care for a hollow log called Caga Tió. It’s got a face, legs and, on Christmas Eve, kids hit it with sticks, encouraging it to “poop” candies and gifts. What happened to the good ol’ peñata? Maybe a Santa’s sack one?
Greenland: Unusual Dishes
In Greenland, Christmas dinner might include kiviak (fermented seabird) or mattak (whale skin with blubber). These dishes showcase Greenlandic traditions and survival in the Arctic. I’m not really keen on either but OH to go to Greenland… have you watched the Danish TV show Børgen? So good! But there was an extra season recently, many years after its ending, and it was all about Denmark and Greenland’s relations. Fiction, but so interesting! Not to mention the beautiful, icy scenery!
Australia: Christmas BBQ and Surfing Santa
As in New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, etc., Christmas in Australia falls in the summer. Aussies often celebrate with seafood barbecues and surfing. Pavlovas for a refreshing dessert in the early summer and cricket matches for the sporty ones.
Christmas traditions vary widely, reflecting the rich cultures and histories of each country. Whether it’s enjoying fried chicken in Japan or skating to church in Venezuela, these customs remind us of the festive spirit that unites us globally(ish).
Do you have any particularly non-conventional Christmas tradition? I’d love to hear! Let me know in the comments =)
This was a post about fun and unusual Christmas traditions around the world.