Christmas traditions from around the world

Christmas is just a few sleeps away and we’re getting excited for all our yearly traditions like the Christmas tree, the gifts, the delicious food and above all – seeing our loved ones. It is the same for many of us around the world (some things remain constant), but there are a few unique variations as to how each country celebrates the Christmas season.

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Image: Getty Images/Roman Babakin

Finland

The real Santa Claus only comes through the chimney once a year. In his office at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, however, he takes appointments all year round. But how do Finns celebrate Christmas? To prepare for three days of celebration, they clean thoroughly and make room for the Christmas tree. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Turku’s mayor reads out the declaration of Christmas peace. The evening is dominated by a ham (joulukinkku) cooked slowly in the oven, served with a casserole or mashed potatoes. Combined with snow, a crisp, dry cold and with any luck a sighting of the Northern Lights – an unmistakably Finnish Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Hyvää joulua!

Christmas decorations in downtown Athens. Image: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP via Getty Images

Greece

The sun goes down and opens the door to all sorts of evil spirits according to local beliefs. In Greece, it is the ‘kallikantzaroi’ who wreak havoc in the period between Christmas and Epiphany (6th January). To banish these unholy forces, the Orthodox Greeks have several customs. This includes, for example, lighting a fire (candles or fireplace) or adding basil to bless the rooms of the house. In addition to the classic Christmas trees, illuminated ships also adorn the inner cities of Thessaloniki and Athens and attract many onlookers. Christmas sweets and pastries are ubiquitous, like the ‘kourabiedes’; delicious almond biscuits that are covered with a sugar icing and for the New Year, there is the ‘Vasilopita’ cake. Fortune is said to come to the lucky one who finds the embedded coin in the coming year.

Merry Christmas! Kala Christougenna / Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

People in Santa outfits in Tokyo. Image: KAZUHIRO NOGI / AFP via Getty Images

Japan

“Winner, winner, chicken dinner!” The land of the rising sun is not known for celebrating the Christmas holidays – at least not how we might expect. While some western customs such as festival lighting and the giving of gifts have been adopted, Christmas is not in the calendar as a national holiday. Since the seventies, however, there has been a crispy tradition that characterises Japanese Christmas: Colonel Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. Fast-food chicken is so popular that it is advisable to pre-order your KFC a few weeks in advance (especially if it is delivered, like this year). That’s good marketing.

Merry Christmas! ‘Meri Kurisumasu’. めりーくりすます / メリークリスマス.

Two children in front of a lantern at the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines. Image: Dondi Tawatao / Getty Images

Philippines

In the Philippines, dark December shines even brighter. On the Saturday before Christmas, the festival of giant lanterns (parol) takes place in San Fernando, northeast of Manila. The tradition got its brilliant start in the early 20th century and made a quantum leap after 1931 when San Fernando was introduced to electricity. The lanterns got bigger and bigger until they finally reached today’s diameter of some 20 feet. 3,500 to 5,000 multi-coloured light bulbs spread Christmas cheer year after year when the villages (barangays) compete against each other for the biggest and brightest display. As an Asian country with a large population of Christians, it is no wonder that Filipinos embrace other common traditions including Christmas trees and the jolly Santa Claus.

Merry Christmas! Maligayang Pasko! (Tagalog)

Santa Claus in Luna Park, Sydney, Australia. Image: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Australia

Christmas on the beach is the Australian way! In the land down-under, the holidays fall in the summertime, which is why the festive days are often spent on the sand. Partyers take a cool box to the beach and often wear Santa hats with their swimwear as they get into the festive spirit. In New South Wales, houses are decorated with the so-called Christmas Bush; an Australian plant with small pink flowers. The hot weather means the offerings are slightly different, with cold cuts, seafood and barbeques on the menu, especially on Boxing Day (26th December), Australians take to the beach for the infamous barbecue.

Merry Christmas!

Rockefeller Centre, New York City. Image: iStock/cmart7327

United States

What this list be without the home of commercial Christmas? The land of Santa Claus, the land of Home Alone and Die Hard, the lavishly lit mansions and eggnogs. However, Christmas is not always traditional in many senses here either. While on the east coast at the Rockefeller Center with the giant tree and the ice rink it is more classic, the southwestern states near Mexico are inspired and celebrate the season with tamales; and in French-influenced Louisiana, Santa comes in the form of Papa Noel.

However you celebrate, Secret Escapes wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas deals

Skopelos Holidays Hotel & Spa, Skopelos Town, Skopelos, Greece

5* Skopelos spa hotel moments from the Aegean Sea

Five-star Greek Island sanctuary with an organic garden - includes breakfast & more
View deal

Radisson Blu Hotel, London, UK

Chic Covent Garden bolthole in the historic Seven Dials

Modern West End style in the heart of Seven Dials - includes breakfast

View deal

Tanzania: Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Natron, Loliondo & Serengeti National Park

Bucket-list Tanzania & Serengeti with wildebeest migration options

Phenomenal Tanzania tour with dates during the Serengeti's migration season
View deal

Costa Rica: San Jose, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Tamarindo, Puntarenas

Breathtaking Costa Rica highlights tour with epic excursions

From rainforest to Pacific Ocean: uncover Costa Rica’s natural highlights and Caribbean sands - includes breakfast, flights, transfers & excursions
View deal