Christmas Around
the World
From snow-covered European markets to sun-drenched Southern Hemisphere beaches, explore how 99+ countries celebrate Christmas with their own traditions, foods, greetings, and customs.
Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday on Earth, yet the ways people mark the season vary dramatically from one country to the next. In Germany, the holiday revolves around centuries-old Christmas markets overflowing with mulled wine and handcrafted ornaments. In Japan, millions of families line up for KFC buckets on Christmas Eve. Mexico lights up with Las Posadas processions that reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, while Australia trades snowflakes for beach barbecues under the summer sun.
These differences reflect centuries of local history, religious interpretation, climate, and cultural exchange. Some traditions date to the earliest days of Christianity, while others -- like Finland's Christmas sauna or Iceland's terrifying Yule Cat -- have roots in pre-Christian folklore. This guide covers 99 countries across four regions, each with its own greeting, signature dishes, gift-giving customs, and festive quirks.
Europe
The birthplace of many beloved Christmas traditions, from Advent markets and St. Nicholas visits to Midnight Mass and Yule logs.
Armenia
"Shnorhavor Surb Tsnund"
Anoush Abour (sweet soup), Harissa (wheat porridge), Dried fruits, Fish
Austria
"Frohe Weihnachten"
Wiener Schnitzel, Vanillekipferl, Linzer Torte, Sachertorte, Gluehwein
Belarus
"Z Kalyádami / Z Rastvom Khrystovym"
Kutia, Draniki (potato pancakes), Machanka (pork stew), Kolduni
Belgium
"Vrolijk Kerstfeest / Joyeux Noel"
Waffles, Chocolate, Croquettes aux crevettes, Carbonnade flamande, Buche de Noel, Speculoos
Bulgaria
"Chestita Koleda / Vesela Koleda"
Sarmi (stuffed cabbage/vine leaves), Bob chorba (bean soup), Banitsa, Oshav (dried fruit compote), Pumpkin dessert
Croatia
"Sretan Bozic"
Sarma (stuffed cabbage), Kulen (spiced sausage), Fritule (fried dough), Cesnica, Orehnjaca (walnut roll)
Czech Republic
"Vesele Vanoce"
Fried carp, Potato salad, Vanocka (braided bread), Christmas cookies, Kutia
Denmark
"Glaedelig Jul"
Flaeske steg (roast pork), Risalamande, Aebleskiver, Roedkaal, Glogg
Estonia
"Haid Joulude"
Verivorst (blood sausage), Sauerkraut, Mulgipuder (potato-barley mash), Piparkoogid (gingerbread)
Finland
"Hyvaa Joulua"
Joulukinkku (ham), Gravlax, Laatikko (casseroles), Glogi, Piparkakkuja (gingerbread), Riisipuuro (rice porridge)
France
"Joyeux Noel"
Buche de Noel, Foie Gras, Oysters, 13 Desserts of Provence, Champagne
Georgia
"Gilocavt Shobas"
Satsivi (walnut sauce), Churchkhela, Gozinaki (honey walnuts), Khachapuri
Germany
"Frohe Weihnachten"
Stollen, Lebkuchen, Kartoffelsalat, Bratwurst, Gluehwein
Greece
"Kala Christougenna"
Melomakarona, Kourabiedes, Christopsomo, Roast pork or lamb, Baklava
Greenland
"Juullimi Pilluarit"
Mattak (whale skin), Suaasat (seal soup), Danish risalamande, Dried fish, Coffee and kaffemik cakes
Hungary
"Boldog Karacsonyt"
Halaszle (fish soup), Toltott kaposzta (stuffed cabbage), Beigli (poppy seed/walnut roll), Szaloncukor
Iceland
"Glebileg jol"
Hangikjot (smoked lamb), Laufabraud (leaf bread), Rjupa (ptarmigan), Jolaoldugt (Christmas beer)
Ireland
"Nollaig Shona Duit"
Roast turkey, Ham, Spiced beef (Cork), Christmas pudding, Mince pies, Irish coffee
Italy
"Buon Natale"
Panettone, Pandoro, Feast of Seven Fishes, Tortellini in Brodo, Capitone
Latvia
"Prieci gus Ziemassvetkus"
Grey peas with bacon, Piparkukas (gingerbread), Sauerkraut, Pork, Piragi (bacon buns)
Lithuania
"Linksmu Kaledu"
Kuciukai (poppy seed pastries), Herring, Silke, Beet soup, Mushroom dishes, Kisielius (cranberry pudding)
Malta
"Il-Milied it-Tajjeb"
Timpana (baked pasta), Qaghaq tal-ghasel (honey rings), Imqaret (date pastries), Turkey, Roast pork
Montenegro
"Hristos se rodi / Sretan Bozic"
Roast lamb, Cesnica bread, Sarma, Priganice (fried dough), Kacamak
Netherlands
"Vrolijk Kerstfeest"
Gourmetten (tabletop grill), Kerstbrood, Kerststol, Oliebollen, Banketstaaf
North Macedonia
"Sreken Bozhik"
Pogacha bread, Sarma, Tavche gravche (baked beans), Zelnik (filo pie)
Norway
"God Jul"
Ribbe (pork belly), Lutefisk, Pinnekjott, Multekrem, Julekake, 7 cookie varieties
Poland
"Wesolych Swiat"
Barszcz (beet soup), Pierogi, Carp, Kutia, Makowiec (poppy seed roll), Kompot
Portugal
"Feliz Natal"
Bacalhau (salt cod), Rabanadas, Bolo Rei, Filhoses, Aletria
Romania
"Craciun Fericit"
Sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), Cozonac (sweet bread), Pork dishes, Salata de boeuf, Colivă
Russia
"S Rozhdestvom"
Kutia, Sochivo, Roast goose, Blini, Pirozhki, Vzvar
Serbia
"Hristos se rodi / Sretan Bozic"
Pecenje (roast pork or lamb), Cesnica (ritual bread), Sarma, Prebranac (baked beans), Gibanica
Slovakia
"Vesele Vianoce"
Kapustnica (sauerkraut soup), Lokse, Oplatky (wafers), Ryba (fish), Vanocka, Bobajky (poppy seed balls)
Slovenia
"Vesele Bozicne Praznike"
Potica (nut roll), Sarma, Roast pork, Krofi (doughnuts), Mlinci
Spain
"Feliz Navidad"
Turron, Polvorones, Jamon Iberico, Cochinillo, Marzipan, Cava
Sweden
"God Jul"
Julbord, Janssons Frestelse, Lussekatter, Glogg, Julskinka (Christmas ham)
Switzerland
"Frohe Weihnachten / Joyeux Noel / Buon Natale"
Fondue, Raclette, Guetzli (Christmas cookies), Grittibanz, Lebkuchen, Swiss chocolate
Turkey
"Mutlu Noeller (Merry Christmas) / Mutlu Yillar (Happy New Year)"
Turkey (hindi), Roasted chestnuts, Dried fruits, Baklava, Manti
Ukraine
"Z Rizdvom Khrystovym"
Kutia, Borscht, Varenyky, Uzvar (dried fruit compote), Holubtsi
United Kingdom
"Merry Christmas"
Roast turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies, pigs in blankets, trifle
The Americas
A rich blend of Indigenous, European, and African influences shaping celebrations from snowy Canada to tropical Brazil and the Caribbean.
Argentina
"Feliz Navidad"
Asado, Pan dulce (panettone), Sidra (cider), Vitel tone, Ensalada rusa, Turron
Bolivia
"Feliz Navidad"
Picana (spicy Christmas soup), Bunuelos, Pan dulce, Api (corn drink)
Brazil
"Feliz Natal"
Chester (roast chicken), Tender (pork loin), Rabanada (French toast), Panettone, Farofa, Salpicao
Canada
"Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noel"
Tourtiere (Quebec), Turkey, Butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, Eggnog, Timbits
Chile
"Feliz Navidad"
Pan de Pascua, Cola de Mono, Turkey, Asado, Ensalada a la chilena
Christmas in the United States (USA)
"Merry Christmas"
Turkey, Ham, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Candy Canes, Pumpkin Pie
Colombia
"Feliz Navidad"
Natilla, Bunuelos, Lechona, Tamales, Empanadas, Chicha
Costa Rica
"Feliz Navidad"
Tamales, Rompope (eggnog), Queque navideño (Christmas cake), Arroz con pollo
Cuba
"Feliz Navidad"
Lechon asado (roast pork), Black beans and rice, Yuca, Turrones, Flan
Dominican Republic
"Feliz Navidad"
Puerco asado (roast pork), Moro de guandules, Ensalada rusa, Telera (bread), Ponche
Ecuador
"Feliz Navidad"
Pristiños (fried pastry), Pernil, Turkey, Mote (corn), Buñuelos
Falkland Islands
"Merry Christmas"
Roast lamb, Christmas pudding, Upland goose, Fish and chips
Guatemala
"Feliz Navidad"
Tamales colorados, Ponche de frutas, Bunuelos, Rellenitos, Chocolate caliente
Guyana
"Merry Christmas"
Pepperpot, Black cake, Garlic pork, Ginger beer
Haiti
"Jwaye Nwel"
Griot (fried pork), Diri ak djon djon, Kremas (eggnog), Banan peze, Pain Haitien
Honduras
"Feliz Navidad"
Nacatamales, Torrejas, Rompopo, Turkey
Jamaica
"Merry Christmas"
Jamaican Christmas Cake (rum cake), Sorrel drink, Curry Goat, Oxtail, Rice and Peas, Ham
Mexico
"Feliz Navidad"
Tamales, Bacalao, Ponche, Bunuelos
Peru
"Feliz Navidad"
Paneton, Turkey, Lechon, Hot chocolate, Tamales, Chocoteja
Puerto Rico
"Feliz Navidad"
Lechon asado, Arroz con gandules, Pasteles, Coquito, Tembleque
Trinidad and Tobago
"Merry Christmas"
Pastelles, Black cake, Ponche de creme, Sorrel, Ham, Parang ham
Venezuela
"Feliz Navidad"
Hallacas, Pan de Jamon, Ensalada de Gallina, Dulce de Lechosa, Ponche crema
Asia & Oceania
Christmas traditions adapted to local cultures, from Japan's secular festivities and the Philippines' marathon season to Australia's summer celebrations.
Australia
"Merry Christmas"
Prawns, Pavlova, Cold ham, BBQ, Trifle, Mango
Bangladesh
"Merry Christmas"
China
"Sheng Dan Kuai Le"
Ping'an Guo (Christmas Eve apples), restaurant meals, Western-style cakes
Hong Kong
"Seng Dan Fai Lok (Cantonese)"
Christmas buffets, Dim sum, Roast goose, Log cake, Afternoon tea
India
"Shubh Naya Barah Din / Bada Din ki Badhaaiyan"
Kulkuls, Bebinca (Goa), Plum cake, Biryani, Appam with stew (Kerala)
Indonesia
"Selamat Natal"
Rendang, Nasi Kuning, Kue Nastar (pineapple tarts), Dodol, Regional specialties
Iran
"Christmas Mobarak (Persian)"
Armenian: Harissa, Dolma. Assyrian: regional dishes. Persian sweets shared
Japan
"Meri Kurisumasu"
KFC fried chicken, Christmas cake (strawberry sponge), Champagne
Kazakhstan
"Rojdestvo Kutyly Bolsyn (Kazakh) / S Rozhdestvom (Russian)"
Beshbarmak, Baursaki (fried dough), Manty, Russian salads
Malaysia
"Selamat Hari Natal"
Rendang, Nasi lemak, Christmas log cake, Murukku, Devil curry (Eurasian)
New Zealand
"Merry Christmas / Meri Kirihimete"
Pavlova, Lamb roast, Seafood (crayfish, green-lipped mussels), Trifle
Pakistan
"Bara Din Mubarak Ho"
Biryani, Korma, Roast chicken, Christmas cake, Gulab Jamun
Philippines
"Maligayang Pasko"
Lechon (roast pig), Bibingka, Puto Bumbong, Queso de Bola, Hamon, Pancit
Singapore
"Merry Christmas / Selamat Hari Natal"
Log cake, Turkey, Curry, Rendang, Laksa, Christmas pudding
South Korea
"Meri Keuriseumaseu / Jeulgeo-un Seongtan-jeol"
Christmas cake (cream cake), Fried chicken, Bulgogi, Tteok (rice cake)
Sri Lanka
"Subha Nath Thalak Wewa (Sinhala) / Nathar Nalvazhthukkal (Tamil)"
Christmas cake (with cashews), Breudher, Kiribath (milk rice), String hoppers, Lamprais
Taiwan
"Sheng Dan Kuai Le"
Christmas cake, Hot pot, Restaurant meals
Vietnam
"Chuc Mung Giang Sinh"
Banh Chung (sticky rice cake), Ga Quay (roast chicken), Xoi (sticky rice), Vietnamese coffee
Africa & Middle East
Ancient Christian communities alongside newer traditions, with celebrations shaped by Coptic, Orthodox, and Maronite heritage.
Angola
"Feliz Natal"
Muamba de galinha, Calulu, Funge, Roast goat, Portuguese-style Christmas cake
Botswana
"Keresemose e e Monate"
Seswaa (pounded beef), Bogobe (porridge), Braai, Roast chicken
Egypt
"Eid Milad Majid"
Fata (lamb, rice, bread), Kahk (cookies), Biscuits
Eritrea
"Melkam Lidet"
Zigni (spicy stew), Injera, Himbasha (celebration bread), Suwa (beer)
Ethiopia
"Melkam Gena"
Doro Wat (chicken stew), Injera, Tibs, Kitfo, Tella (barley beer)
Ghana
"Afishapa / Merry Christmas"
Jollof rice, Fufu and soup, Roast chicken, Fried rice, Banku and tilapia
Israel
"Merry Christmas / Milad Majid"
Varies by community: Arab Christian, Armenian, Greek Orthodox traditions
Kenya
"Heri ya Krismasi / Merry Christmas"
Nyama choma (roasted meat), Pilau, Chapati, Mukimo, Roast chicken, Mandazi
Lebanon
"Milad Majid"
Buche de Noel, Maamoul, Kibbeh, Tabbouleh, Arak
Madagascar
"Arahaba tratry ny Noely"
Vary amin'anana, Roast chicken or zebu, Christmas cake, Litchis
Mali
"Bonne fete de Noel"
Poulet grille, Riz au gras, French-influenced dishes
Morocco
"Milad Said"
Pastilla, Tagine, Couscous (for festive gatherings), Moroccan pastries
Namibia
"Geseende Kersfees (Afrikaans) / Merry Christmas"
Braai, Potjiekos, Kapana (grilled meat), German Christmas cake
Nigeria
"Eku Odun Keresimesi (Yoruba) / Merry Christmas"
Jollof rice, Fried rice, Pepper soup, Pounded yam, Egusi soup, Roast chicken and turkey, Chin chin
Palestine
"Milad Majid"
Mansaf, Maqluba, Maamoul, Knafeh, Arabic coffee
Seychelles
"Bonn Nwel"
Grilled fish, Chicken curry, Ladob (banana dessert), Breadfruit
South Africa
"Geseende Kersfees (Afrikaans) / Merry Christmas"
Braai (barbecue), Malva pudding, Melktert, Bobotie, Koeksisters, Mince pies
United Arab Emirates
"Merry Christmas / Eid Milad Majid"
International hotel buffets, Turkey, Mince pies, Regional dishes
Zambia
"Merry Christmas / Kristu ababalishwe"
Nshima, Roast chicken, Village chicken, Ifisashi (peanut sauce greens)
Zimbabwe
"Merry Christmas / Krisimasi yakanaka"
Sadza, Braai, Roast chicken, Rice, Madora (mopane worms, seasonal)
Why Christmas Traditions Differ
The diversity of Christmas customs is shaped by three main forces: religion, culture, and climate. Christianity itself is not monolithic. Western (Catholic and Protestant) churches follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate on December 25, while many Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, placing Christmas on January 7. Coptic Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia have their own liturgical calendars. These differences in timing alone create entirely separate seasonal rhythms, feast preparations, and fasting periods.
Cultural context layers on top of religious foundations. In countries where Christianity arrived through colonisation, indigenous beliefs often blended with Christian observance. Mexico's Las Posadas and Guatemala's Quema del Diablo draw on both Catholic and pre-Columbian traditions. Japan and South Korea adopted Christmas as a secular, commercial holiday rather than a religious one. In each case, local food, music, art, and storytelling customs shaped how the holiday is expressed.
Climate plays a bigger role than many people realize. Northern European traditions of candlelight, evergreen trees, and hearth fires developed in response to dark, cold winters. Meanwhile, countries in the Southern Hemisphere -- Australia, Brazil, South Africa -- celebrate in midsummer, which means outdoor barbecues, beach gatherings, and fresh fruit instead of roasted chestnuts. Even within Europe, Mediterranean Christmas traditions differ from Scandinavian ones in food, decoration, and the pace of celebration.
Christmas Isn't Celebrated Everywhere
While Christmas is observed in over 160 countries, roughly 35 nations do not recognize it as a public holiday. Some actively discourage celebrations, while others simply have no cultural connection to the tradition.
Learn which countries don't celebrate ChristmasFrequently Asked Questions
Why is Christmas celebrated on different dates around the world?
Most Western Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, following the Gregorian calendar adopted in 1582. However, many Eastern Orthodox churches -- including those in Russia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and parts of Ukraine -- follow the older Julian calendar, which places Christmas on January 7. Coptic and Armenian churches have their own dates as well. The difference is purely calendrical, not theological. Some countries also celebrate related feasts on other dates, like St. Nicholas Day on December 6 in Germany and Austria.
Which country celebrates Christmas the longest?
The Philippines holds the record for the longest Christmas season in the world. Celebrations begin as early as September 1, when radio stations start playing carols and decorations go up in homes and malls. The season runs through the Feast of the Three Kings on the first Sunday of January. Simbang Gabi, a series of nine dawn masses, anchors the religious observance from December 16 to 24. Filipino families gather for Noche Buena on Christmas Eve, making it one of the most festive and extended holiday periods on the planet.
Where was the Christmas tree tradition invented?
The modern Christmas tree tradition traces back to 16th-century Germany, where devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some attribute the first lighted Christmas tree to Martin Luther, who reportedly added candles to an evergreen to capture the beauty of stars shining through the forest. The tradition spread to Britain in the 1840s when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (who was German) were depicted with a decorated tree in the Illustrated London News. German immigrants also brought the custom to America, where it became mainstream by the late 1800s.
What country eats KFC for Christmas?
Japan has a famous tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve. The custom began in 1974 after a hugely successful KFC marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas). Today, millions of Japanese families pre-order their KFC Christmas meals weeks in advance, and lines stretch around the block at KFC locations on December 24. Since fewer than 2% of Japan's population is Christian, Christmas is celebrated as a secular, commercial holiday rather than a religious one.
What is the most unique Christmas tradition in the world?
One of the most unusual traditions is the Yule Cat (Jolakoturinn) from Iceland -- a giant, menacing cat said to eat anyone who does not receive new clothes before Christmas Eve. The tradition encouraged workers to finish processing autumn wool on time, with new clothing as a reward. Other uniquely local customs include the Caga Tio (a hollow log that "poops" gifts) in Catalonia, the Krampus runs in Austria and southern Germany, and the tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve in Norway to prevent witches from stealing them for midnight rides.