Christmas Traditions

Christmas is celebrated all around the world typically on December 25. When you think of Christmas, you probably think of an evergreen tree decorated with ornaments and lights, beautifully wrapped presents, and stockings. Everyone who celebrates the holiday has different traditions like getting matching pajamas, opening stockings on Christmas Eve, or baking specific things for the holiday. Some countries have traditions that are not what Americans would generally think of when they think of Christmas.

Krampus

Krampus is a scary-looking figure that is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on Krampusnacht on the night of December 5. While Saint Nicholas rewards children who behaved well during the year, Krampus punishes children who did not behave themselves by hitting them with a stick. The legend of Krampus is celebrated in many different parts of Europe. In Austria and other European countries, many parades are held in honor of Krampus and usually includes Krampuslauf (“Krampus run”), where young people who are dressed in masks and fur suits run through the crowd in an attempt to scare people and to hit them with sticks.These parades are more than just scary theatrics—they’re vibrant cultural celebrations featuring local music, traditional food, and warming drinks like mulled wine. Attendees can also enjoy roasted chestnuts and other seasonal treats as they cheer on the fearsome figures that bring this old legend to life.

Broom Hiding 

On Christmas Eve in Norway, you can find many people hiding their brooms. It is believed that witches come to houses in order to frighten those who live there. Hiding your brooms prevents these witches from being able to steal them and use them to travel easily. This folklore is depicted in the painting The Wild Hunt of Odin, where the Norse deity Odin is depicted alongside two winter goddesses, witches, fairies, and ghostly souls during the 12 nights of Christmas. This blending of folklore and faith keeps the old custom alive, even in modern times, as many families in Norway continue to stash their brooms away every December 24th.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

In Japan, Christmas and KFC go hand-in-hand. Takeshi Okawara, who was the manager of the first KFC in Japan, invented the slogan “Kentucky is Christmas” in 1974 to sell buckets of fried chicken during the holiday season. Japan did not have many Christmas traditions at the time, so eating KFC got popular very quickly. Now, people in Japan order their chicken in November and still have to stand in incredibly long lines to pick up the famous chicken. The menu often includes not just fried chicken but also holiday-themed sides like cakes and wine. This beloved tradition has transcended Japan’s borders, as people in other countries have started to incorporate fried chicken into their Christmas celebrations, inspired by Japan’s unexpected but delightful holiday pairing.

The Yule Lads – Iceland

In Iceland, Christmas is full of mischief thanks to the Yule Lads, 13 troll-like brothers who visit children during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Each night, a different Yule Lad comes down from the mountains to leave small gifts in shoes left by children on window sills—if they've been good. Naughty children, however, might find a rotten potato in their shoes instead! Each Yule Lad has a distinct personality, such as Door Slammer, who loves slamming doors at night, or Spoon Licker, who steals spoons to lick them clean. These characters are both playful and a little spooky, adding a touch of Icelandic folklore to the holiday season.

La Befana – Italy

In Italy, the holiday season extends to Epiphany on January 6, when children eagerly await a visit from, a kind-hearted old witch. According to legend, La Befana flies on her broomstick delivering gifts and sweets to well-behaved children or lumps of coal to those who’ve been naughty. The tradition dates back centuries and intertwines with Italy’s rich Christian and folkloric heritage. Families often leave out a glass of wine and a plate of treats for La Befana, much like leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus.

Giant Lantern Festival – Philippines

In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated with the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) in San Fernando, the country's "Christmas Capital." This dazzling event takes place on the Saturday before Christmas Eve and features enormous, intricately designed lanterns, some over 20 feet tall. These lanterns, illuminated with electric lights, create stunning kaleidoscopic patterns, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year and reflects the Filipino spirit of community and creativity.

The Gävle Goat – Sweden

In the Swedish city of Gävle, Christmas is marked by the construction of a massive straw goat, a symbol of ancient Nordic Yule traditions. Standing over 40 feet tall, the Gävle Goat is built in the town square at the start of Advent. While the goat is meant to last through the holiday season, it has become a quirky tradition for vandals to attempt to burn it down, despite security measures. The survival—or destruction—of the goat has become a playful part of the town’s Christmas lore.

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There are several holidays in December that are celebrated by many different cultures around the world. The variations between how different areas celebrate the same holiday can be very interesting to learn about. What holiday do you celebrate? What unique traditions does your family have? My family chooses a new cuisine every year where we try our best to research and cook authentic food from those cultures and countries. Visit our website Tropical Sunset Travel, LLC or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more travel inspiration and contact us about booking your own holiday travel!