Christmas is a holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, but the way it is celebrated can vary greatly depending on the country, culture, and religious background. While the core of Christmas remains the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians, the customs, traditions, and festivities associated with the holiday can differ significantly. Below are some of the different types of Christmas celebrations observed around the world:
Germany: Advent Calendars and Christmas Markets
Advent Calendars: Germans popularized the Advent calendar, which marks the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Each day, a small door is opened to reveal a treat or a picture, building anticipation for Christmas Day.
Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte): Cities like Nuremberg and Munich host festive Christmas markets where visitors can buy handmade ornaments, enjoy mulled wine (Glühwein), and sample traditional foods like bratwurst and gingerbread.
Mexico: Las Posadas
Las Posadas: This is a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas, reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Families visit homes (acting as inns), singing carols, and asking for entry until they are welcomed in. This tradition often includes piñatas filled with sweets and small gifts.
Italy: La Befana
La Befana: In Italy, Christmas doesn’t end on December 25th. Instead, the holiday continues until Epiphany on January 6th, when La Befana, a kind old witch, visits children. According to legend, she brings gifts to well-behaved children and coal to the naughty ones. This tradition is especially strong in Southern Italy.
4. Sweden: St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia’s Day (December 13): This tradition honors St. Lucia, a young Christian martyr. In Sweden, a girl chosen to be Lucia wears a white gown and a crown of candles and leads a procession of children singing carols. The event marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
5. Australia: Christmas on the Beach
Christmas Day at the Beach: In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in summer, so many Australians celebrate with beach barbecues and picnics. Carols by Candlelight is another tradition, where people gather in outdoor venues to sing Christmas carols while holding candles.
6. Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul Sampernandu): Held in the city of San Fernando, this event features elaborate, large-scale lanterns made of bamboo and colored lights. The festival takes place on the Saturday before Christmas Eve and is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas traditions in the Philippines.
Finland: Yule Goat (Joulupukki)
Joulupukki: In Finland, the Santa Claus figure, known as Joulupukki, is said to live in the northern regions. He is believed to visit homes on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts. The tradition of a Yule Goat, who once would demand food and drink in exchange for gifts, has evolved into a more family-friendly custom where children receive presents and enjoy festive meals.
Iceland: The Yule Lads
The Yule Lads: In Iceland, the 13 Yule Lads visit children during the 13 days leading up to Christmas. Each Yule Lad has a distinct personality and habit, such as Spoon Licker or Door Slammer. Children leave shoes by the window, and the Yule Lads leave small gifts or candies for well-behaved kids, and potatoes for those who are naughty.
Norway: Hiding the Broom
Hiding the Broom: In Norway, it is believed that witches and evil spirits roam around on Christmas Eve, so families hide their brooms to prevent them from being stolen. This superstition is tied to the ancient belief that witches would ride brooms on Christmas Eve.
France: Le Réveillon
Le Réveillon: In France, the Christmas feast is called Le Réveillon, a lavish meal enjoyed after attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It includes delicacies like foie gras, oysters, and bûche de Noël (a Yule log-shaped cake). In some regions, a traditional 13 desserts are served, representing Jesus and his 12 apostles.
Greece: Kallikantzaroi
Kallikantzaroi: In Greece, Christmas folklore includes mischievous goblins called Kallikantzaroi, who come out during the 12 days of Christmas. People place a bowl of water or a branch of basil in their home to ward them off. It’s also common to decorate Christmas trees, but in some regions, they decorate boats instead.
Russia: Svyatki and Ded Moroz
Svyatki: In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, due to the Orthodox calendar. The 12-day period from January 7th to January 19th is known as Svyatki, and it’s marked by festivities, caroling, and fortune-telling.
Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost): Instead of Santa, Russian children receive gifts from Ded Moroz, a figure dressed in blue or red robes, often accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden). They deliver gifts around New Year’s Eve.
Ethiopia: Genna
Genna: Christmas in Ethiopia is celebrated on January 7th. The holiday, known as Genna, is observed with religious services, feasts, and a special game of genna, a form of field hockey. It is a deeply religious celebration, with many Ethiopians fasting until Christmas Day.
Wigilija: In Poland, Christmas Eve is the main focus of the holiday. Families gather for a special meal that starts when the first star appears in the sky. The meal often consists of 12 dishes, representing the 12 apostles. A key tradition is the sharing of opłatek, a thin wafer, among family members before the meal.
