Christmas Traditions around the World Summarized

The holiday season is upon us, and soon our streets and homes will be full of lights and decorations.

Christmas traditions around the world have a common theme, but include diverse cultural practices and festive events.

Universal traditions include Christmas trees, lights, and gift-giving, but in many countries advent calendars and wreaths are popular for counting down to Christmas.

Christmas Cookies and Baking

Baking and treats figure prominently, as cookies, fruitcakes and stollen, and other baked goods are widely prepared and shared.

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets, filled with holiday lights, delicious food, and artisanal gifts are holiday traditions around the world. Just remember to dress warmly; snowfall often adds to the charm!

European markets, such as Dresden’s Striezelmarkt (famous for its stollen and intricate local woodcrafts), and Vienna’s elegant Rathaus market, are renowned for food, gifts, and holiday cheer. Brussels’ market features a large skating rink, Ferris wheel, and stalls selling Belgian waffles, chocolates, and mulled wine.

U.S. markets like Chicago’s Christkindlmarket (one of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in the U.S.) serves up bratwurst, pretzels and mulled wine) and New York’s Bryant Park Winter Village (featuring German bratwurst and Peruvian churros) reflect diverse cultures with international themes.

Unique Country Traditions include

Germany

St. Nicholas Day - On December 6, children leave out boots or shoes, which St. Nicholas fills with treats if they've been good.

Many children believe the Christkind (Christ Child) brings gifts, not Santa Claus.

Switzerland

Santa with his helper Schmutzli visits families on the evening of December 6th.

Italy

La Befana (On January 6, the Epiphany)

Seafood feasts (Feast of the Seven Fishes), and midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Nordic Countries

St. Lucia Day (celebrated on December 13), Yule Goat (Julbock), and festive smorgasbords that include herring, cold cuts, meatballs, and rice pudding.

Iceland

13 Yule Lads who come down from the mountains in the days leading up to Christmas, leaving gifts in children’s shoes if they've been good.

Christmas Book Flood (Jólabókaflóð): Tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve.

Australia

Summertime celebrations, including barbecues, beach picnics and outdoor caroling.

Philippines

Parols - Star-shaped lanterns are hung everywhere as a symbol of hope and the Star of Bethlehem.

Simbang Gabi – A nine-day series of masses, ending on Christmas Eve.

Notable Folklore

Ukrainian spider-web decorations - finding a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck.

Icelandic shoe gifts from Yule Lads.

Japan’s romantic Christmas traditions and light displays.

Mexico’s celebrations include piñatas filled with treats for children, and poinsettias, which originated in Mexico

There is a rich variety of global Christmas customs, blending religion, folklore, and modern influences into unique holiday experiences.

Wherever, and however you celebrate the holidays, we wish you the best of the holiday season.