10 Unique Christmas Traditions Across the Globe

While Christmas is a familiar holiday in many places, the ways people celebrate it vary widely across cultures. Around the world, local customs, beliefs, and history shape traditions that are both surprising and deeply meaningful.

Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world, but the traditions can look very different depending on the country. From unusual foods to folklore-driven customs, these traditions reflect local history, beliefs, and culture—showing that there’s no single way to celebrate the holiday.

1. Japan: Fried Chicken and Romance

In Japan, Christmas is largely a secular holiday. One of the most popular traditions is eating fried chicken from KFC on Christmas Day, with many families placing orders weeks ahead of time.

The holiday is also seen as a romantic occasion, with couples going out for dinner or to see light displays.

2. Norway: Hiding Brooms on Christmas Eve

In Norway, an old superstition says that witches and evil spirits roam on Christmas Eve. To prevent them from stealing brooms to fly, some families still hide their brooms before nightfall.

3. Catalonia, Spain: The Gift-Giving Log

In Catalonia, children celebrate Christmas with the Caga Tió, a smiling wooden log. Families “feed” it in the weeks leading up to Christmas, then beat it with sticks so it delivers gifts.

4. Austria and Germany: Krampusnacht

In parts of Austria and Germany, early December brings Krampusnacht. People dress as Krampus, a horned folklore figure, and parade through the streets to scare away evil spirits and remind children to behave.

5. Ukraine: Spiderweb Christmas Trees

In Ukraine, Christmas trees are often decorated with spiderweb ornaments. The tradition comes from a folk tale in which a poor family’s web turned into silver, symbolizing luck and hope.

6. Iceland: Books on Christmas Eve

In Iceland, Christmas Eve is closely tied to books. Many people exchange books and spend the evening reading while enjoying warm drinks, reflecting the country’s strong literary culture.

7. Venezuela: Roller-Skating to Church

In Caracas, Venezuela, children often roller-skate to early morning church services during the Christmas season. Some families even tie a string to a child’s toe and attach it to a window so friends can wake them up by tugging it.

8. Czech Republic: Fortune-Telling Shoes

In the Czech Republic, a Christmas tradition involves throwing a shoe over one’s shoulder toward the door. If the toe points outward, it’s believed marriage may be in the future.

9. The Philippines: A Months-Long Christmas Season

In the Philippines, Christmas celebrations begin as early as September. The season includes religious traditions, colorful star-shaped lanterns called parols, and large family gatherings that continue well past Christmas Day.

10. Poland: Carp on the Christmas Table

In Poland, Christmas Eve dinner traditionally includes carp. Some families even buy live carp days before the holiday and keep them in bathtubs until it’s time to prepare the meal.

These traditions show how Christmas is shaped by local customs, folklore, and everyday life. Whether it’s books in Iceland or carp in Poland, each country brings its own meaning to the season—proving that the spirit of Christmas can be expressed in many different ways.