25 Fascinating Christmas Traditions From Around the World

Christmas is celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide, but the way it’s observed varies dramatically from country to country. Here are 25 of the most fascinating Christmas traditions from around the globe.

1. KFC for Christmas Dinner — Japan

In what might be the most successful marketing campaign in history, millions of Japanese families eat Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve. The tradition started with a 1974 “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” (Kentucky for Christmas) campaign. Today, KFC orders must be placed weeks in advance, and lines wrap around restaurants on December 24th.

2. The 13 Yule Lads — Iceland

Instead of one Santa Claus, Iceland has 13 Yule Lads — mischievous troll-like figures who each arrive on successive nights before Christmas. Each has a distinct personality: Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Swiper, and more. Children leave shoes on the windowsill and find gifts or rotten potatoes, depending on their behavior.

3. Caga Tió — Catalonia, Spain

In Catalonia, families “feed” a small log (the Caga Tió) starting in early December, covering it with a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Eve, children beat it with sticks while singing a song, and the log “poops out” small gifts and candy. Yes, really.

4. The Christmas Book Flood — Iceland

Known as Jólabókaflóð, Icelanders exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the night reading. This tradition was born during World War II when paper was one of the few non-restricted imports. Today, Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country, with most released in the fall for the Christmas market.

5. Watching Donald Duck — Sweden

At exactly 3 PM on Christmas Eve, nearly half of Sweden tunes in to watch “Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul” (Donald Duck and Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas) — a one-hour Disney compilation that has aired annually since 1959. It’s so popular that it consistently dominates Swedish ratings.

6. Las Posadas — Mexico

For nine nights before Christmas (December 16-24), Mexican communities reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. Participants process through the streets singing and asking for shelter at each house. The processions end with a party featuring piñatas, food, and music.

7. Hiding the Brooms — Norway

An old Norwegian tradition dictates that all brooms must be hidden on Christmas Eve. It was once believed that witches and evil spirits came out on this night and would steal brooms to ride through the sky.

8. Christmas Sauna — Finland

Finns take a sacred Christmas sauna on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. It’s considered one of the most important traditions of the Finnish holiday, a time for cleansing body and spirit before the evening’s celebrations. Some Finns also believe the sauna is inhabited by a spirit on Christmas Eve.

9. Roller-Skating to Church — Venezuela

In Caracas, Venezuela, it’s tradition to roller-skate to early morning Christmas Mass. The tradition is so popular that many streets are closed to traffic on Christmas morning so skaters can get to church safely.

10. The Gävle Goat — Sweden

Since 1966, the city of Gävle has erected a giant straw Christmas goat (Julbock). And almost every year, someone tries to burn it down. Despite guards, cameras, and fireproofing attempts, the goat has been successfully set ablaze more than half the time. It’s become an international spectacle.

11. Krampus Night — Austria & Bavaria

On December 5th, the fearsome Krampus — a horned, demonic creature — roams the streets punishing naughty children, in contrast to St. Nicholas who rewards the good. Krampus runs (Krampuslauf) feature people in elaborate, terrifying costumes chasing crowds through town.

12. Simbang Gabi — Philippines

Filipinos attend nine consecutive dawn Masses starting December 16, waking before sunrise for services as early as 4 AM. Completing all nine masses is said to grant a special wish. Outside the churches, vendors sell bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (purple sticky rice).

13. Breaking the Opłatek — Poland

Before the Wigilia (Christmas Eve) supper, Polish families break and share a thin communion wafer called opłatek with each person at the table, exchanging wishes for the new year. An extra place is always set for an unexpected guest.

14. Mummering — Newfoundland, Canada

During the 12 days of Christmas, Newfoundlanders dress in elaborate disguises and visit neighbors’ homes. The hosts must try to guess who the mummers are before offering them food, drink, and entertainment.

15. Christmas Spiders — Ukraine

In Ukrainian tradition, Christmas trees are decorated with spider webs made from paper or metal. According to legend, a poor family’s tree was magically decorated by spiders on Christmas morning, and the webs turned to silver and gold in the sunlight.

16. Noche de Rábanos — Oaxaca, Mexico

On December 23rd, the city of Oaxaca holds a radish carving competition (Night of the Radishes) where artisans create elaborate scenes and figures from oversized radishes. The tradition dates back to the colonial era when merchants carved radishes to attract customers.

17. Midnight Mass on Horseback — Costa Rica

In many Costa Rican towns, people ride horses to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The Tope Nacional (national horse parade) on December 26th features thousands of horses and riders parading through San José.

18. Joulupukki’s Personal Visit — Finland

Unlike most countries where Santa sneaks in at night, Finland’s Joulupukki (literally “Christmas Goat”) knocks on the front door on Christmas Eve and asks, “Onko täällä kilttejä lapsia?” (Are there good children here?) before handing out gifts personally.

19. The Feast of the Seven Fishes — Italy

On Christmas Eve, Italian families (especially in southern Italy) serve a multi-course seafood dinner featuring seven or more different fish dishes. The number seven has various religious interpretations, though some families serve as many as thirteen courses.

20. Christmas Pudding Stirring — United Kingdom

On “Stir-up Sunday” (the last Sunday before Advent), British families gather to stir the Christmas pudding. Each person makes a wish while stirring from east to west (symbolizing the Three Wise Men’s journey). Small coins and charms hidden inside bring luck to the finders.

21. Sinterklaas Arrives by Steamboat — Netherlands

In mid-November, Sinterklaas (the origin of Santa Claus) arrives in the Netherlands by steamboat from Spain in a nationally televised event. He parades through cities on a white horse while children sing and leave their shoes by the chimney with carrots for the horse.

22. Burning the Devil — Guatemala

On December 7th, Guatemalans participate in La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) by setting fire to piles of garbage and old possessions in the streets. The ritual symbolizes purification and driving away evil spirits before the Christmas celebrations begin.

23. Christmas Crackers — United Kingdom

Invented by London confectioner Tom Smith in 1847, Christmas crackers are pulled at the dinner table, producing a popping sound. Inside are paper crowns (which everyone wears during dinner), small toys, and famously terrible jokes.

24. Dipping Day — Sweden

On Christmas Eve, Swedish families participate in “doppa i grytan” (dipping in the pot), dipping bread into the pot of drippings from the Christmas ham. This tradition dates back to times of poverty when the drippings were too precious to waste.

25. Letters to Santa — Canada

Canada Post runs a program where children can write to Santa at the North Pole, Canada, H0H 0H0. Over 1.5 million letters are answered each year in more than 30 languages, making it the world’s largest Santa mail program.

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Want to explore more? Visit our Christmas Traditions directory to see how every country in the world celebrates the holiday.