Whether it’s a gathering around a BBQ on the beach in New Zealand or commemorated by a thirteen-metre straw goat in Sweden, there are so many Christmas traditions around the world to get involved in, as well as fun new years traditions.
If you're looking for something a little different this Christmas season or want to brush up on your general knowledge ahead of the Christmas quizzes on Christmas day, we've rounded up all the fun facts and interesting Christmas traditions from around the world.
New Zealand
Barbie on the beach
For those in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls during the summer season. It is a tradition for New Zealanders to have a BBQ with their family and friends, cooking fresh seafood, meat and seasonal vegetables.
The Christmas tree in New Zealand ventures away from our European fir tree, their festive tree is called a Pohutukawa. The native Pohutukawa is a large bush-like coastal tree that is bright-red in colour during December.
New Zealanders sing carols in both Maori and English such as 'Te Harinui', Christmas in New Zealand, and A Kiwiana Christmas.
Mexico
The Christmas Story
All across Mexico, churches put on a play called Pastorelas or the Shepherd's Play. This performance retells the Christmas Story. From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children perform the tale where Joseph and Mary search for a place to stay on the night that Jesus was born. For this celebration, Mexicans decorate the outside of their houses with evergreens, moss, flowers and paper lanterns.
Sweden
The 13m Gävle Goat!
In Sweden, the ‘Yule Goat’ is an iconic symbol for the mid-winter festivities. This goat is believed to be an invisible spirit who oversees that smooth running of the Christmas preparations. Between Christmas and the new year, it is not uncommon to see men dressed as goats pranking houses and singing songs. This tradition is known as ‘Julebukking’.
The Gävle Goat is a famous monument that is built in the city of Gävle at the start of advent. This enormous metal structure is 13m tall and is covered in straw. However, the goat is mainly represented as a Christmas ornament that guards the house or the Christmas tree. Straw is used as a decoration as a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger.
Germany
Saint Nicholas’ Day
Between the night of the 5th and 6th of December, children wait for presents from St Nicholas or Christkind. This individual is not to be mistaken for Father Christmas, St Nicholas or Nikolaus travels by donkey in the middle of the night. The children place their shoes by the door in hopes that St Nicholas will deliver them small gifts like chocolates or sweets.
St. Nicholas is often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht also known as Krampus. This devil-like creature is dressed in dark rags and covered in bells and holds a whip to frighten naughty children.
Colombia
The Day of the Little Candles
The Day of the Little Candles or 'Día de las Velitas' is a celebration in Columbia that starts in the evening on the 7th of December. The streets and buildings are decorated with lanterns, candles and plenty of lights. There are also big firework displays and music playing throughout the streets. This day is celebrated by Catholics around the world known as ‘The Feast of the Immaculate Conception’ but is particularly popular in Columbia.
Austria
The Evil Krampus
Many Nordic countries have a legend called Krampus. This traditional figure is a devil-like creature blackened by soot, covered in rags and carries around chains. Much like its German neighbour, Austria has a festivity called St Nicholas day. Children are asked for a list of their good and bad deeds in the year: the good children are rewarded by St Nicholas with sweets in their shoes whereas bad children may worry about an encounter with Krampus.
Philippines
The Giant Lantern Festival
Each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve the city known as the Christmas capital of Philippines, San Fernando hosts the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul Sampernandu). This Christmas tradition attracts visitors from around the world as residents create lanterns on bamboo poles or frames to hold a lightened star lantern. The lantern represents the star that guided the Wise Men. Nowadays, the lanterns are created from a variety of materials and can be up to six meters in size. They are lit up by electric bulbs that illuminate kaleidoscope patterns.
Japan
A very KFC Christmas
Christmas is not celebrated as a religious holiday in Japan and has only been a day of celebration for a few decades. When it comes to Christmas traditions around the world, Japan have a rather quirky tradition, where they eat KFC for their Christmas meal. There was a Christmas advertising campaign by KFC in 1974 called 'Kentucky for Christmas!' which was so successful it became a regular tradition.
South Africa
Christmas Cookout
While the population of South Africa is very diverse, most families gather for a cookout called ‘braaing’ over the Christmas season. Dishes such as steaks, boerewors, sausages are served as the main course which is followed by a traditional dessert, malva pudding with custard. Their trees are decorated with a variety of baubles and hand-beaded African ornaments.
Angola
Carols and Christmas feasts.
Christmas is widely celebrated in Angola. Over half of the Angolan population are catholic and a quarter Christian. Attending church is deeply rooted in their Christmas traditions. After the Christmas day church service, the festive meal traditionally consists of 'pirão' or 'funge' which is a kind of polenta made of cornmeal or cassava flour. They also serve up rice, spaghetti, chips, turkey, fried chicken, plantain, cassava and dishes like cooked cold fish with vegetables known as 'ozido de bacalhau'.
Iceland
Yule Lads
Similar to the British tradition of twelve days of Christmas, Iceland celebrates thirteen days. Each night leading up to Christmas, the Icelandic children are visited by the thirteen Yule Lads. Yule Lads are regarded as magical people who come from the mountains. Similar to Nordic tradition, children place their shoes by the windows and wait to awaken the next morning to find sweets or chocolates, so it's well worth visiting Iceland around Christmas time.