Country | Celebrated?↓ | Date | Additional Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | India | Yes | 12/25 | India is less than 3% Christian, but Christmas remains a national holiday and is often celebrated with star-shaped lanterns or clay lamps placed on rooftops to signify that Jesus is "the light of the world" |
![]() | United States | Yes | 12/25 | Both the spiritual and secular aspects of Christmas are widely celebrated in the United States. Regional communities often incorporate customs from their homelands, such as the mummers' parade in Philadelphia or the appearance of paper-lantern "farolitos" in Latino communities |
![]() | Indonesia | Yes | 12/25 | Many regions have their own unique holiday customs. For example, Christmas trees in Bali are often made from chicken feathers |
![]() | Nigeria | Yes | 12/25 | The day after Christmas, many churches go on a short trip, symbolizing the journey of the wise men, and celebrate with a "love feast" |
![]() | Brazil | Yes | 12/25 | Some say Santa Claus wears silk to stay cool in Brazil, where Christmas occurs during the summer |
![]() | Bangladesh | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is known as “Bara Din,” which means “the big day” in Bengali |
![]() | Russia | Yes | 1/7 | Christmas was abolished from 1929 to 1992, but New Year's Day became very Christmas-adjacent, absorbing traditions such as tree-decorating and the Santa-like "Winter Father" |
![]() | Ethiopia | Yes | 1/7 | In addition to Christmas, Ethiopians celebrate Timkat, a three-day event commemorating Jesus' baptism, starting on Jan 19 |
![]() | Mexico | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas beings in earnest on Dec. 12, the day the nativity scene is set up, and runs through Three Kings' Day on Jan 06 |
![]() | Japan | Yes | 12/25 | Few Christians, but the secular aspect of the holiday is quite popular. The traditional Christmas Eve meal is fried chicken from the U.S.-based chain KFC |
![]() | Egypt | Yes | 1/7 | Celebrations often include stories of the years Joseph, Mary, and Jesus spent in Egypt after escaping King Herod |
![]() | Philippines | Yes | 12/25 | The most popular Christmas decoration in the Philppines is the "parol," a multicolored, star-shaped paper lantern hung on a bamboo pole, which symbolizes the star of Bethlehem |
![]() | DR Congo | Yes | 12/25 | Many churches perform marathon Christmas Eve plays that depict Biblical stories from creation until King Herod's order to kill all the young boys of Israel, with Jesus' birth timed to take place as close to midnight as possible |
![]() | Germany | Yes | 12/25 | Germany is known for the thousands of enchanting Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season |
![]() | Tanzania | Yes | 12/25 | Tribes in this Christian-majority African country tend to keep the focus simple by attending church services and sharing a festive day with family, though new clothes and small gifts for the children may also be exchanged |
![]() | United Kingdom | Yes | 12/25 | The U.K. originated the idea of "Boxing Day," the day after Christmas, in which servants were given the day off (often with gifts) and the donation boxes in churches were opened and their contents given to those in need |
![]() | France | Yes | 12/25 | French nativity scenes often include additional figures such as a butcher, baker, priest, or policeman. Christmas dinner may feature up to 13 desserts |
![]() | South Africa | Yes | 12/25 | South African Christmas follows most European traditions, but because it's summer in December, Christmas often also involves camping, the beach, or a traditional South African barbeque feast called a braai |
![]() | Italy | Yes | 12/25 | Italians love nativity scenes, and often add extra animals, people, or structures. Naples' nativity scene reportedly includes more than 600 pieces |
![]() | Kenya | Yes | 12/25 | Families gather together from all around, often seeing one another for the only time that year |
![]() | Myanmar | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is technically a government holiday, but the democratic government was desposed in a 2021 military coup |
![]() | Colombia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebration begins with "Noche de las velitas" ("candle night") on Dec. 07, followed by nightly "novenas" celebrations from Dec. 16 until Christmas |
![]() | South Korea | Yes | 12/25 | Christianity is the largest religion in this largely secular nation, where Christmas is viewed as not only a religious and family-oriented holiday, but also a romantic one akin to Valentine's Day |
![]() | Sudan | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebrations were declared illegal in this Muslim majority country in 2011, but the ban was lifted in 2021, enabling Christians to worship again, and both Dec. 25 and Jan. 07 were declared national holidays |
![]() | Uganda | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is called "Sekukkulu" in Uganda. Santa Claus is not part of the tradition, but foods made with Matooke (an indigenous fruit) are a staple. |
![]() | Spain | Yes | 12/25 | Midnight mass in Spain is known as "La Misa Del Gallo" (The Mass of the Rooster), after which people often take to the streets to play guitar, drums, and tambourines. Most presents are opened on Jan. 06 (the Epiphany) |
![]() | Iraq | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas was made a national holiday in 2018. The nonreligious aspects of the holiday are rapidly gaining in popularity |
![]() | Argentina | Yes | 12/25 | Paper lanterns, called '"globos," are often released on Christmas Eve |
![]() | Canada | Yes | 12/25 | Different regional traditions include a taffy pull for singles and both "mummering" and "belsnickeling," in which costumed Santas go door-to-door |
![]() | Angola | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional foods include polenta-like "pirão" or "funge," spaghetti, french fries, turkey, fried chicken, various fish dishes, and "bolo rei" cake for dessert |
![]() | Ukraine | Yes | 12/25 | In some parts of Ukraine, Christmas trees include an ornament shaped like a spider's web. This is a reference to the tale of the "Christmas spider," in which a poor family discovers on Christmas morning that spiderwebs in their tree have turned to silver and gold |
![]() | Morocco | Yes | 12/25 | Secular Christmas is becoming more prominent (especially in cities), but many people in this Muslim nation are unclear about whether Islam allows the holiday |
![]() | Poland | Yes | 12/25 | Polish people often leave a spare seat at the holiday table to commemorate passed or absent loved ones and so they are prepared to welcome a "niespodziewany gość," or "unexpected guest" |
![]() | Malaysia | Yes | 12/25 | Few Christians, but the secular holiday is widely celebrated, though decorations are taken down immediately in preparation for New Year's celebrations |
![]() | Mozambique | Yes | 12/25 | Alternately called "Family Day," but still retains most of the Christmas trappings, including church services, trees, and family gatherings |
![]() | Ghana | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas feasts are a main focus, with people eating up to five times a day during the two-week holiday celebration |
![]() | Peru | Yes | 12/25 | Peruvians preparing for Christmas often host "chocolatadas"—gatherings in which people get together and drink hot chocolate and share "panetón" (for "panettone," the Italian Christmas sweet bread) |
![]() | Madagascar | Yes | 12/25 | Despite being native to Mexico, poinsettia trees are the floral emblem of Madagascar, where they are beloved |
![]() | Ivory Coast | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas Eve church services start at midnight and often last up to six hours, with poems, skits, and dances added to the sermons |
![]() | Cameroon | Yes | 12/25 | Holiday traditions include French-inspired "Buche de Noel," a rolled cake that resembles a yule log |
![]() | Nepal | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional Christmas dishes in Nepal include "sel roti" (fried bread), "dal bhat tarkari" (vegetable curry), "thukpa" (chicken soup), "momos" (meat dumplings), and "yomari" (sesame dumplings) |
![]() | Venezuela | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas fireworks are very popular in this South American country. In the capital, Caracas, so many people rollerskate to morning church services from Dec. 16-24 that authorities often close the roads to vehicular traffic |
![]() | Niger | Yes | 12/25 | Although Christmas is a national holiday, less than 1% of Niger's people are Christians, so the holiday is only lightly celebrated |
![]() | Australia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas happens in the summer, caroling is popular, and children often leave carrots for Santa's reindeer |
![]() | Syria | Yes | 12/25 | According to Syrian legend, the littlest camel in the three wise men's caravan was exhausted by the journey, but refused to give up the chance to meet the baby Jesus. Upon learning of the little camel's devotion, Jesus blessed it with immortality and entrusted it to bring gifts to children every year |
![]() | Mali | Yes | 12/25 | While Christmas has little secular presence in this majority Muslim country, the Christian minority celebrates with all-night Christmas Eve church services |
![]() | Burkina Faso | Yes | 12/25 | Children in this country build clay "cribs" to symbolize the birthplace of Jesus |
![]() | Sri Lanka | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebrations in this Asian country are influenced by British, Dutch, and Portuguese customs, and begin with firecrackers on the morning of Dec. 01 |
![]() | Taiwan | Yes | 12/25 | Although Dec. 25 is Constitution Day and Christmas is not a national holiday, the Taiwanese are quite familiar with and welcoming toward the secular elements of the holiday |
![]() | Malawi | Yes | 12/25 | As in many poor South African nations, Christmas in Malawi is sparse by Western traditions and focused upon time spent with family |
![]() | Zambia | Yes | 12/25 | Carolers in Zambia often perform for donations which are turned over to charity, and children are encouraged to bring gifts to other children who are less-fortunate or hospitalized |
![]() | Chad | Yes | 12/25 | Chad is a Muslim nation, but still celebrates Christmas as a time to be together with family |
![]() | Kazakhstan | Yes | 1/7 | Christians are a minority and follow the Orthodox church. The New Year's holiday co-opted most secular elements, including decorated trees and a bearded "Snow Father" who brings presents on New Year's Eve |
![]() | Chile | Yes | 12/25 | Popular holiday drink is "cola de mono" (translated "monkey’s tail"), a blend of milk, coffee, sugar, cinnamon, and alcohol |
![]() | Senegal | Yes | 12/25 | Senegal's Muslim majority lives in harmony with the Christian minority and many Muslims share in the Christmas celebration, even decorating mosques with Christmas trees |
![]() | Romania | Yes | 12/25 | Romanian Christmas traditions include "dubasi," which are bands of unmarried male drummers (accompanied by sax and violin), and the "capra," a person dressed as a goat who causes mischief within choirs of carolers |
![]() | Guatemala | Yes | 12/25 | On Dec. 07, Guatemalans celebrate "La Quema del Diablo" (The Burning of the Devil), in which they set fire to pinata-like caricatures of Satan |
![]() | Netherlands | Yes | 12/25 | Santa Claus ("Sinterklaas") comes the night of Dec. 05 in Netherlands, but typically returns with more presents on Dec. 25 |
![]() | Ecuador | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas Eve parades can take all day and always end with a float carrying a statue of the baby Jesus, or "Niño Viajero" |
![]() | Zimbabwe | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional Christmases in Zimbabwe include new shoes and clothes for the children, a trip to church in the morning, and afternoons spent visiting friends and loved ones at one house party after another |
![]() | Guinea | Yes | 12/25 | Though Christians make up only about 10% of this country's population, holiday festivals are generally welcomed |
![]() | Benin | Yes | 12/25 | Few people in this country can afford gifts, so the focus is upon celebrating with family |
![]() | Rwanda | Yes | 12/25 | While Rwandans are free to celebrate Christmas, the New Year's holiday is of vastly greater national significance |
![]() | Burundi | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is largely about gathering together, celebrating, and dancing |
![]() | Bolivia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas occurs on Dec. 25, but children leave their shoes outside on Jan. 06 and awake to find them filled with presents |
![]() | Tunisia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is just another work day for most people in this Muslim country. That said, the tiny Christian minority celebrates freely and many merchants and hotels offer Christmas-themed items |
![]() | South Sudan | Yes | 12/25 | Many of this Christian nation's 67 tribes have their own holiday traditions, from fixing up the house and teaching younger generations to partying with loved ones |
![]() | Haiti | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas includes making "fanals" (from the French word for "lantern"), which are paper lanterns made to look like houses and lit with candles (and which are shaped like boats in Gambia) |
![]() | Belgium | Yes | 12/25 | "Sinterklaas/St. Niklaas" brings gifts on Dec. 5 or 6, while Christ's birth is celebrated on Dec 25 |
![]() | Jordan | Yes | 12/25 | While only 10% of Jordan is Christian, the Muslim majority welcomes Christmas and enjoys the holiday's secular elements |
![]() | Dominican Republic | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebrations begin in October and often include fireworks. Instead of fresh-cut trees, most people decorate carved trees called "charamicos" |
![]() | United Arab Emirates | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is not a national holiday in this Muslim-majority country, but its secular aspects are typically embraced, especially in tourist-friendly locations. The Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi erects the world's most expensive Christmas tree each year, with ornaments worth millions of dollars |
![]() | Honduras | Yes | 12/25 | As in many American and African countries, Christmas is often celebrated with fireworks and "estreno", or "new clothes" |
![]() | Cuba | Yes | 12/25 | Fidel Castro canceled the national Christmas holiday in 1969, but reinstated it as a "leisure day" in 1998, at the pope's request |
![]() | Papua New Guinea | Yes | 12/25 | This South Pacific nation first welcomed Christianity some 200 years ago and shares many of the same Christmas traditions as nearby Australia |
![]() | Sweden | Yes | 12/25 | Sweden also celebrates St. Lucia Day on Dec. 13. The holiday commemorates a young girl, martyred in 304 AD, who secretly delivered food to persecuted Christians hiding in the catacombs of Rome |
![]() | Czech Republic | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas folk traditions including placing fish scales under dinner plates to ensure financial success and cutting an apple in half to predict one's upcoming health |
![]() | Portugal | Yes | 12/25 | From Christmas through the start of January, the Portuguese go door to door with a picture of Jesus and sing "Janeiras" (January songs). Hosts who do not invite the carolers inside to warm up and have a snack may be ridiculed in song |
![]() | Greece | Yes | 12/25 | Celebrations last from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany Jan. 06. and often include the decorating of small boats and the baking of "Christopsomo," an elaborately decorated hoilday bread |
![]() | Togo | Yes | 12/25 | Holiday traditions in Togo, which is more than 40% Christian, are heavily influenced by French customs, both the spiritual (church services) and the secular (Santa, Christmas trees) |
![]() | Hungary | Yes | 12/25 | Saint Nicholas ("Mikulás" in Hungarian) visits Dec. 06 and puts goodies in children's shoes, but the larger gifts come from baby Jesus the night of Dec. 24 |
![]() | Israel | Yes | 12/25 | Less than 3% of Israel is Christian, but those who are have the freedom to celebrate as they choose |
![]() | Austria | Yes | 12/25 | Most presents come from the “Christkind” (baby Jesus), but Santa and his horned opposite Krampus may still visit |
![]() | Belarus | Yes | 12/25 and 01/07 | A popular holiday film is "S Legkim Parom" (translated "The Irony of Fate" or "Enjoy your Bath"), a romantic comedy about a man who gets very lost after having a sauna with friends. Christmas is celebrated twice in Belarus: the Catholic Christmas on 25th December and then the Orthodox Christmas on 7th January. |
![]() | Switzerland | Yes | 12/25 | Many Swiss communities have traditions in which people parade through town, often in masks or costumes, making noise, banging drums, and/or singing to either ward off evil spirits or wish neighbors a good upcoming year |
![]() | Sierra Leone | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in Sierra Leone is known for its numerous street carnivals and copious amounts of food, much of which is sent to friends who respond by sending food gifts of their own |
![]() | Hong Kong | Yes | 12/25 | A former British colony, Hong Kong may celebrate Christmas more enthusiastically than any other country in Asia. The territory-wide "Winterfest" celebration is a highlight |
![]() | Kyrgyzstan | Yes | 1/7 | As in many other post-Soviet countries, the trees, gift-giving, and other secular aspects of Christmas take place on New Year's Eve instead |
![]() | Paraguay | Yes | 12/25 | As in many countries, nativity scenes are deeply important in Paraguay, with families often arranging the figures on boards covered in real soil with sprouted rice serving as vegetation |
![]() | Nicaragua | Yes | 12/25 | Nicaragua's Christmas celebration begins the evening of Dec. 07, La Purísima, when the the immaculate conception is celebrated with fireworks, sweets, and carolers |
![]() | Bulgaria | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional Christmas Eve meal includes a loaf of bread with a coin inside, which will grant good fortune to whomever finds it |
![]() | Serbia | Yes | 1/7 | In Serbian tradition, girls went out Christmas morning to collect "strong water," which was said to have special powers. It was often included when making "česnica," an ornate holiday bread |
![]() | Republic of the Congo | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebrations in Congo center around church services and activities, which often incorporate plays and musical performances and can last for hours |
![]() | El Salvador | Yes | 12/25 | Popular Christmas traditions include fireworks, nativity scenes, and going to the beach on Christmas Day |
![]() | Denmark | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional Christmas dessert is "risalamande," a rice pudding made with vanilla and almonds and often covered with warm cherry sauce |
![]() | Singapore | Yes | 12/25 | Less than 20% of the population is Christian, but secular aspects of Christmas are enthusiastically embraced by all. Popular Christmas tree decorations include candy, ribbons and teddy bears |
![]() | Lebanon | Yes | 12/25 | As Lebanon has significant numbers of both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians, the government celebrates both Christmas on Dec. 25 and Armenian Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 06 |
![]() | Liberia | Yes | 12/25 | Founded by freed American slaves, Liberia shares most U.S. Christmas traditions but has added one: Old Man Beggar, a jolly beggar in ragged clothes who often competes with Santa to see who is the better entertainer |
![]() | Finland | Yes | 12/25 | Finland is the home country of Santa Claus—whose Finnish name, "Joulupukki," references the fact that Finnish Santa was originally a frightening goat who asked people to give him presents |
![]() | Norway | Yes | 12/25 | Norwegians often decorate their Christmas trees with heart-shaped paper baskets called "Julekurver" |
![]() | Palestine | Yes | 12/25 | Palestinian territory includes Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The region is only 20% Christian, but because some are Orthodox and others are not, both Dec. 25 and Jan. 07 are government holidays |
![]() | Central African Republic | Yes | 12/25 | Poverty is an ongoing concern in this African country, but the holiday is still observed |
![]() | Slovakia | Yes | 12/25 | One of the most beloved Christmas movies in Slovakia is "Tri oriešky pre popolušku" ("Three Gifts for Cinderella"), a wintery retelling of the Cinderella tale with magic walnuts in place of the Fairy Godmother |
![]() | Ireland | Yes | 12/25 | Uniquely Irish Christmas traditions include swimming in the Irish Sea and reading James Joyce's short story, "The Dead" |
![]() | New Zealand | Yes | 12/25 | Children may leave pineapple out for Santa. New Zealand's own native "Christmas tree", the Pōhutukawa, is a broad, umbrella-shaped tree that sports massive red flowers in December |
![]() | Costa Rica | Yes | 12/25 | Celebrations last until the Feast of the Three Kings on Jan. 06, which commemorates the wise men's arrival in Bethlehem |
![]() | Panama | Yes | 12/25 | In addition to Christmas feasts and celebrations, Panamanians often craft "muñeca," large paper-mache figures resembling celebrities or politicians whom they dislike, and burn them on New Year's Eve |
![]() | Croatia | Yes | 12/25 | One old Croatian tradition is for young men to give their girlfriends a decorated apple for Christmas |
![]() | Georgia | Yes | 1/7 | Georgian Christmas trees, or "chichilaki", are hand-carved from dried wood and burned on Jan. 19th as a symbol that the past year's troubles are gone |
![]() | Eritrea | Yes | 12/25 | Most Eritrean Christians are Orthodox. As in many countries with Orthodox churches, they go on a 40-day vegan fast and eat no meat from Nov. 25 until Christmas |
![]() | Uruguay | Yes | 12/25 | While the government calls Dec. 25 the "Day of the Family," it is Christmas in all but name, complete with a visit from "Papa Noel." However, the larger gift-giving day is Jan. 06, "Children's Day," which celebrates the arrival of "Los tres Reyes Magos" (the three magi kings) in Bethlehem |
![]() | Puerto Rico | Yes | 12/25 | Caroling parties known as Parrandas (also sometimes called Asalto or Trulla) are quite popular in Puerto Rico. Friends gather late in the evening (about 10pm) and visit different houses, whose residents must, according to tradition, then join in the parranda. The revelry thus grows throughout the evening and may continue all night, finishing at dawn. |
![]() | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes | 12/25 and 01/07 | Celebrated Dec. 25 by Catholics and Jan. 07 by Orthodox Christians, holiday meals often include fish, greens, and hurmašica cake for dessert |
![]() | Namibia | Yes | 12/25 | Namibians often enjoy German Christmas cookies or Dutch "Appelflappen" beignets as part of their holiday tradition |
![]() | Moldova | Yes | 1/7 | Deeply Christian but divided between two churches following different calendars, Moldovans celebrate on Dec. 25 or Jan. 07 |
![]() | Armenia | Yes | 1/6 | Usually celebrated January 6th, as Aremenians are largely Orthodox. Religious focus, typically without Santa Claus |
![]() | Jamaica | Yes | 12/25 | Holiday traditions include the "jonkanoo" parade of costumed characters and the Grand Market, a combination bazaar and street festival |
![]() | Lithuania | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas traditions include watching the film Home Alone, having 12 dishes at dinner, and eating "Kūčiukai," which are tiny biscuits served in a bowl of poppy milk |
![]() | Gambia | Yes | 12/25 | Celebration includes parades of "fanals," elaborate boat-shaped lanterns made of bamboo and paper |
![]() | Albania | Yes | 12/25 | Albania is an atheist state, but the secular aspects of Christmas are gaining in popularity |
![]() | Gabon | Yes | 12/25 | Many regions of this 80% Christian nation incorporate bits of indigenous tradition into their Christmas celebration |
![]() | Botswana | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas traditions include visiting one another's cattle grazing land and singing carols |
![]() | Lesotho | Yes | 12/25 | A common holiday drink in Lesotho is "joala ba sesotho," a homemade beer which takes roughly four days to prepare |
![]() | Slovenia | Yes | 12/25 | A Slovenian custom holds that the women of each family would gather together and bake three loaves of holiday bread: one for Christmas, one for New Year's, and one for Jan. 06, the day the wise men arrived at Bethlehem |
![]() | Equatorial Guinea | Yes | 12/25 | In addition to the usual Roman Catholic celebrations, revelers in the Bioko region often perform a traditional dance called "balélé" |
![]() | Latvia | Yes | 12/25 | Latvia claims the first recorded instance of a Christmas tree, having erected one in its capital city, Riga, in 1510 |
![]() | North Macedonia | Yes | 1/7 | In this Orthodox nation, the Christmas holiday begins with caroling on Jan. 05, or "Kolede," and typically lasts until three days after Christmas |
![]() | Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | 12/25 | Revelers in this country often form roaming bands of carolers and sing "parang", a Spanish-language music that combines the styles of Venezuela and Trinidad and is often accompanied by guitars, violins, maracas, and wood blocks |
![]() | Timor-Leste | Yes | 12/25 | Many towns in this largely Catholic country in the South Pacific construct life-sized nativity scenes, which the town children keep watch over for all twelve days of Christmas, until the Epiphany on Jan. 06 |
![]() | Cyprus | Yes | 12/25 | Cypriot traditions tell of mischievous spirits called "kalikantzari" (or calicantzari) that could enter houses through the chimney from Christmas Eve until Jan. 06 |
![]() | Estonia | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional Christmas foods include blood sausage, sauerkraut, tangerines and gingerbread. Santa is known to ask for poems in exchange for gifts |
![]() | Mauritius | Yes | 12/25 | Although Christmas comes mid-summer, most of the traditional Western celebrations remain, from church services and Santa Claus to the French-inspired Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) cake for dessert |
![]() | Eswatini | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this developing country is focused upon worship and having special meals with family and friends |
![]() | Djibouti | Yes | 12/25 | Though the Christian population is small, the holiday is eagerly observed |
![]() | Fiji | Yes | 12/25 | Celebrations often include traditional fan dances by women and spear dances by men |
![]() | Solomon Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this former British Colony in Oceania is largely non-commercial, devoted instead to church services and spending time with loved ones |
![]() | Guyana | Yes | 12/25 | The traditional Christmas meal is pepperpot, a rich stew made with cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, orange peel, hot pepper, and cassareep, a syrupy brown sauce extraced from the cassava root |
![]() | Macau | Yes | 12/25 | The "Las Vegas of Asia" was a Portuguese colony until 1999 and follows many European Christmas traditions |
![]() | Luxembourg | Yes | 12/25 | The traditional Christmas meal is "Träipen mat Gromperenzalot,” a sort of black pudding with potatoes and often applesauce |
![]() | Suriname | Yes | 12/25 | This South American country welcomes Santa, who has dark skin and is known as "Goedoe Pa" (Dearest Daddy), the night of Dec. 05, enabling citizens to focus fully on Christ's birth on Dec. 25 |
![]() | Montenegro | Yes | 1/7 | Christmas traditions include spreading straw under the table and clucking like a chicken, which symbolizes the Bethlehem stable and Christ's desire for his people to gather together and follow him |
![]() | Malta | Yes | 12/25 | In Malta's unique holiday tradition "Priedka tat-Tifel," which translates to "the preaching of the child," a youngster aged 7-10 preaches the sermon at midnight mass |
![]() | Cape Verde | Yes | 12/25 | This African island country is largely Roman Catholic and follows most Christian traditions, including feasts, family, and caroling |
![]() | Belize | Yes | 12/25 | Celebrated with boat parades and costume-heavy Christmas dances including the "charikanari," in which a hunter searches for a "two-foot cow" |
![]() | Bahamas | Yes | 12/25 | Celebrations revolve around "junkanoo" parades, complete with music and elaborate, Mardi-Gras-style costumes |
![]() | Iceland | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas lasts from Dec. 11 to Jan. 06 (26 days) during which thirteen "Yule Lads" visit in turn, leaving gifts in children's shoes |
![]() | Guadeloupe | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is an important cultural event celebrated with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Singing, cooking and Christmas lights are all part of the Guadeloupean Christmas |
![]() | Martinique | Yes | 12/25 | The holiday season begins on November 02 with the singing of Creole-style carols called Chanté Nwèl. The traditional holiday meal often includes spicy red pudding, pork stew or ham with pineapple, "pigeon peas", and schrubb, a traditional Christmas punch containing rum and dried citrus peels. |
![]() | Vanuatu | Yes | 12/25 | Although many people in this island nation will attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the holiday is predominantly about reuniting with family and friends and sharing time with them |
![]() | French Guiana | Yes | 12/25 | Families and friends gather for dinner on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day people observe the birth of Jesus of Nazareth by giving out peace and love, his most coveted gifts. People are encouraged to reflect on their lives, set personal standards to live with love and compassion, and to strive to contribute to the strengthening of human values in society |
![]() | New Caledonia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas celebrations take place throughout December in New Caledonia with several markets, light shows, trees, children’s activities and, in Nouméa, a Santa’s post office in the Place des Cocotiers. Christmas Day is a time for family meals and gift-giving. Many restaurants offer a special menu for Christmas Eve, often featuring local specialties such as crayfish |
![]() | Barbados | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional foods include great cake (fruitcake, often frosted), jug jug (haggis-like dish with peas and salted meat) and baked ham |
![]() | French Polynesia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas falls during the hot and rainy season in French Polylnesia. A large Christmas market is opened in the capital, and stores sell treats and artificial Christmas trees. Families decorate their homes and gather at richly laid tables laden with traditional European dishes such as turkey, often cooked in an underground furnace. At midnight, Catholics attend church services. Santa Claus travels by canoe and enters houses through windows that have been left open |
![]() | Samoa | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this predominantly Catholic nation includes a 13-day carol singing event so popular it is broadcast on national television |
![]() | Curacao | Yes | 12/25 | Curacao's holiday season is steeped in traditions that reflect the island’s cultural diversity. Noche Buena is a festive Christmas Eve celebration centered around family, food, and music. Locals gather for a feast that often includes Ayaka, a traditional dish that blends meat, vegetables, and spices wrapped in banana leaves |
![]() | Saint Lucia | Yes | 12/25 | Saint Lucia's best-known holiday tradition is "bamboo bursting," in which locals ignite fuel poured into hollowed bamboo canes, which then make a cannon-like boom |
![]() | Guam | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is a public holiday. Christmas celebrations often involve the annual Magof Nochebuena Peace Festival, with its displays of colourful lights and nativity scenes. A special tradition is the coconut Christmas tree, which towers over 6 metres in height and is made up of a thousand coconuts, painted by local community members |
![]() | Kiribati | Yes | 12/25 | Thanks to the warm weather in this island nation, Christmas celebrations often include activities such as camping, canoe racing, or fishing contests |
![]() | Seychelles | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this tropical island nation greatly resembles Christmas in any developed Christian country, complete with family time, food, church services, trees, and gifts |
![]() | Grenada | Yes | 12/25 | Popular holiday dessert is "black Christmas cake", a dense, rich cake filled with fruit that has soaked in wine and rum since October |
![]() | Micronesia | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas day is often spent in hours-long church celebrations. Micronesia is also a partner in Operation Christmas Drop, an annual event in which the U.S. Air Force practices delivering humnitarian supplies by dropping crates filled with food, toys, and other needed items |
![]() | Aruba | Yes | 12/05, 12/25 and 01/07 | Christmas is one of the biggest holidays in Aruba, where gifts and sweets are enjoyed on three separate occasions. First comes the Sinterklaas (the Dutch Santa Claus) visit on December 5, followed by the Santa Claus visit on December 25 and the Three Kings visit on January 6. Moreover, the Christmas season is preceded by the Carnival season, which consists of street bands and street parties |
![]() | Tonga | Yes | 12/25 | This multi-island nation enjoys the unique tradition of "tutukupakanava," also called Tongan Christmas lights, in which coconut husks are arranged on a beach and set aflame |
![]() | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | 12/25 | The "Nine Mornings" festival in this country features 3am church services followed by street parades, music, and dancing that often runs until 7am every day from Dec. 16 to 24 |
![]() | Antigua and Barbuda | Yes | 12/25 | Classic celebrations included "long ghosts," masked figures up to 12 feet tall that would peek inside windows and request donations |
![]() | United States Virgin Islands | Yes | 12/25 | December kicks off the tourist season in the USVI, which boats temperatures in the 80Fs during the day and cooler, windier temperatures at night. Attractions include the month-long St. Croix Crucian Christmas Festival and Carnival, which features calypso shows, Latin live music, classic St. Croix cuisine, parades, and street parties. Traditional Christmas meals include sweet bread, ham, and especially guavaberry rum, a drink made from rum, guavaberries, spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, sugar, and several "secret ingredients". Boxing Day and Three Kings Day may also be observed |
![]() | Andorra | Yes | 12/25 | Traditional decorations include a small log with a face drawn on one end and "the caganer," a squatting person with their pants down |
![]() | Cayman Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this Caribbean tourist haven blends tradition with tropical touches, ranging from Christmas lights and dishes such as fruit cake, "heavy cake", and Christmas beef and Sorrel to beach parties and Santa Claus appearances in which Santa wears shorts and flip-flop sandals |
![]() | Dominica | Yes | 12/25 | Tradition says one must deep-clean one's home before Christmas Eve even if no guests are expected |
![]() | Bermuda | Yes | 12/25 | Bermuda’s blended cultures mean residents may observe one or many seasonal holidays including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas. Celebrations include festive decorations, glittering lights, window displays, and soaring Christmas trees in hotel lobbies and public squares. And of course, appearances by Santa Claus |
![]() | Faroe Islands | Yes | 12/25 | In December, pop-up stores fill the streets of Tórshavn, one of the world’s smallest capital cities. The country’s largest shopping center (SMS) builds a Christmas City filled with elves, animals, Christmas trees, and ornaments |
![]() | Greenland | Yes | 12/25 | The traditional Christmas decoration in Greenland is a star-shaped paper lantern |
![]() | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in this Caribbean country is followed by J'ouvert morning on Dec. 26, when residents don carnival costumes and dance in musical street parades that start as early as 5am |
![]() | Turks and Caicos Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in Turks and Caicos is more than just a holiday, it's an experience that combines traditional festivities with island charm. From the lights on Grace Bay Beach to the Maskanoo Parade, there's a variety of activities to make your season special. Also celebrates Boxing Day on Dec. 26. |
![]() | American Samoa | Yes | 12/25 | Many citizens spend Christmas with families and friends, following church services. A tradition for the Methodist church is the “manuao”, which is carried out after Christmas Eve service where church members visit homes and sing until around 3a.m or 4a.m. Families usually provide gifts in return |
![]() | Sint Maarten | Yes | 12/25 | A popular Caribbean Chriѕtmаѕ dеѕtinаtiоn, Sint Maarten celebrates the holiday with festivities including a Christmas Village and lighted floats parade in Grand-Case; Marigot Christmas Folies with puppets, parades, music, and holiday markets; and Christmas serenades |
![]() | Liechtenstein | Yes | 12/25 | Also celebrated is the Epiphany on Jan. 06, commemorating the wise men's arrival in Bethlehem |
![]() | Gibraltar | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas Eve is not a public holiday, though Christmas Day is. Many businesses also close on Dec. 26 in observance of Boxing Day |
![]() | Monaco | Yes | 12/25 | One Christmas tradition calls for thirteen desserts, symbolizing Christ and the twelve apostles. The final dessert is "La Pompe," a sweet bread that is broken by hand, as Christ broke bread at the Last Supper |
![]() | Marshall Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Holiday celebrations in this island nation involves months of planning and playful day-long song-and-dance competitions between groups called jeptas |
![]() | San Marino | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas highlights in this tiny microcountry include an ice rink and a neighborhood-sized holiday market that transforms the area near Campo Bruno Reffi |
![]() | Saint Martin | Yes | 12/25 | Locals celebrate Christmas in Saint Martin with a big festive dinner of traditional foods eaten with friends and family. Favourite foods include roast turkey or ham with sides of conch pudding and rice. Guavaberry punch and sorrel (made from hibiscus flowers) flow freely |
![]() | Palau | Yes | 12/25 | The holidays in this largely Christian country focus upon appreciating the birth of Jesus and gathering together with family |
![]() | Anguilla | Yes | 12/25 | The Christmas season starts around mid-December as competitions, pageants and various Christmas traditions with food and stories take place in communities around the island. Residents decorate their homes with lights and other holiday decor |
![]() | Cook Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Every Christmas and New Years one of the two villages on the island of Mauke hosts the other with a feast. The food is laid out at different houses throughout the host village. The guest village then goes from house to house singing traditional songs. Christmas Day starts with a church service and then everyone starts making the rounds singing and feasting. This starts around 1:00 PM and goes on until well after dark.Then, on New Years Day, the villages switch hosting/singing roles |
![]() | Nauru | Yes | 12/25 | The people of this majority Christian nation, one of the smallest countries in the world, often include cakes made with banana or coconut in their Christmas celebrations |
![]() | Saint Barthelemy | Yes | 12/25 | The holiday season in St. Barth's features festive Christmas decorations and lights, Caribbean beaches and weather, and the annual Village de Noël Christmas market in Gustavia |
![]() | Wallis and Futuna | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in Wallis and Futuna is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world |
![]() | Tuvalu | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in Tuvalu is typically focused upon church services and spending time with family ... possibly at the beach |
![]() | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas Day is a public holiday in this predominantly Christian nation. However, as the population is less than 6,000 people, celebrations tend to be smaller in scale. Christmas is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed |
![]() | Montserrat | Yes | 12/25 | Monstserrat's Christmas celebration is typically blended into (and overshadowed by) the island's year-end Carnival celebration, which runs the last two weeks of December. Events include family fun days, Christmas light displays, the Christmas Market, carol singing, colorful masquerades and parades, and calypso music festivals. |
![]() | Falkland Islands | Yes | 12/25 | Although their location in the Southern Hemisphere means Christmas occurs in the balmy summertime, the Falkland Islands share many Christmas traditions with the UK. Christmas trees (typically artificial) are common, and lamb is the main Christmas dish. On Christmas Eve, people gather to sing Christmas carols under the 'whale bone arch' (made the from the jaw bones of two blue whales) next to the Christ Church Cathedral (the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world) in Stanley. The church also conducts a Christmas morning service |
![]() | Tokelau | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas in Tokelau is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. Also celebrates Boxing Day on Dec. 26. |
![]() | Niue | Yes | 12/25 | Christmas is a time for family in the Niuean culture. Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are both official public holidays in Niue, meaning that many businesses are closed on the island for locals to spend time with their loved ones. Although a Sunday church service is part of the weekly routine for many Niueans, the Christmas Mass service is a special event that visitors are also welcome to attend |
![]() | Vatican City | Yes | 12/25 | As the global headquarters of the Catholic Church, Vatican City holds Christmas in high regard. Christmas is a 21-day affair in Vatican City, with well-lit markets, Christmas trees, soothing Christmas carols, and church services. Every year, a different Nativity scene is curated by skilled artists and displayed at the center of St. Peter’s Square |
![]() | China | Unofficially | 12/25 | Popularity of secular Christmas is growing, with a focus on romance and time spent with loved ones. Santa plays saxophone and has sisters rather than elves |
![]() | Pakistan | Unofficially | 12/25 | Dec. 25 is Quaid-e-Azam Day, which celebrates the birth of Pakistan's founder. The tiny Christian minority are allowed by law to celebrate Christmas, but often do so discreetly for fear of violence from individuals |
![]() | Vietnam | Unofficially | 12/25 | Largely secular in nature. Those who do celebrate tend to follow French customs, such as ending the Christmas "reveillon," or feast, with a "bûche de Noël," a log-shaped chocolate cake |
![]() | Iran | Unofficially | 1/6 | Christians in Iran are usually Armenian immigrants, who celebrate on Jan. 6-7. Muslim Iranians can be jailed or killed for becoming Christian |
![]() | Turkey | Unofficially | 12/25 | Less than 1% of this Muslim majority country is Christian, but those that do dwell there are free to worship. The original Saint Nicholas lived in the region that is now Turkey |
![]() | Thailand | Unofficially | 12/25 | Thailand is overwhelmingly Buddhist, but its people are accepting of Christians. Santa often appears in schools, and Christmas celebrations and decorations are quite common, particularly in cities and tourist areas |
![]() | Uzbekistan | Unofficially | 12/25 | declaring it |
![]() | Saudi Arabia | Unofficially | 12/25 | Christmas was previously banned in this rigidly Muslim country, but government regulations have loosened in recent years, enabling citizens to begin to partake in the secular aspect of Christmas |
![]() | Cambodia | Unofficially | 12/25 | Cambodia is 88%-95% buddhist, but secular aspects of Christmas are growing in popularity |
![]() | Tajikistan | Unofficially | This former Soviet state has outlawed both the Christian and Secular aspects of Christmas, including the giving of gifts and sharing of feasts | |
![]() | Azerbaijan | Unofficially | 12/25 | The Azerbaijani Santa, Shakhta Babah, comes on New Year’s Eve |
![]() | Laos | Unofficially | 12/25 | Laos is more than 98% Muslim, but the roughly 2% of the population who are Christians are free to celebrate as they wish |
![]() | Turkmenistan | Unofficially | 12/25 | More than 90% Muslim, Turkmenistan does not treat Christmas as a national holiday, but the Christian minority is free to worship as they wish. Secular Christmas traditions are rarely seen |
![]() | Oman | Unofficially | 12/25 | While Oman is a Muslim-majority nation, Christians are welcome to to celebrate their faith, and the secular aspect of Christmas is observed by many |
![]() | Kuwait | Unofficially | 12/25 | While the small Christian minority is generally allowed to celebrate Christmas, conservative Muslims often take offense if towns or businesses decorate |
![]() | Qatar | Unofficially | 12/25 | While Qatar is a Muslim majority nation, hotels and shops celebrate the holiday for tourists, expats, and the small Christian minority |
![]() | Bhutan | Unofficially | 12/25 | Bhutan is less than 1% Christian but the holiday's secular aspect is growing in popularity |
![]() | Algeria | No | Algeria is less than 2% Christian, though shops may offer secular Christmas items for expats and tourists | |
![]() | Afghanistan | No | Christmas and Christianity are actively—and at times violently—discouraged by the current rulers of Afghanistan | |
![]() | Yemen | No | Yemen is mired in a violent civil war, which has exacerbated an ongoing famine. The few Christians remaining in the country are heavily, and sometimes violently persecuted. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is often punishable by banishment or death | |
![]() | North Korea | No | Ruled by an authoritarian regime, this country has prohibited Christmas celebrations | |
![]() | Somalia | No | Christmas celebrations are banned in this country, where non-Muslim traditions are seen as an offense to the faith | |
![]() | Libya | No | Most Libyans are Muslim and so do not celebrate Christmas, and Christians are violently persecuted by some Libyan groups | |
![]() | Mauritania | No | Although they do celebrate the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the people of this nearly 100% Muslim country typically ignore Christmas | |
![]() | Mongolia | No | Influenced by the former Soviet Union, the people of this Buddhist nation do not celebrate Christmas, but do put up New Year's trees and await a visit from "Grandpa Winter" | |
![]() | Guinea-Bissau | No | 12/25 | Christmas must be celebrated with a plate of dried Scandinavian cod fish known as ‘bacalao’, the ultimate special delicacy. Once fed, family members look around for tiny gift wraps customary wrapped in socks as shared by other relations as well as friends |
![]() | Bahrain | No | While the country does not celebrate Christmas, many hotels and shops offer Christmas event and items for tourists | |
![]() | Comoros | No | In this Muslim nation, it is illegal to openly celebrate Christian theology and traditions | |
![]() | Reunion | No | In Reunion, the end-of-year celebrations have a certain tropical sweetness. On the island, Christmas and New Year are celebrated in the middle of summer. The family tables of Reunion are decorated with a multitude of fruits and a casuarina or an araucaria takes the place of the traditional fir tree | |
![]() | Maldives | No | While many resorts catering to tourists eagerly welcome the Christmas season, the country as a whole ignores it | |
![]() | Brunei | No | Public Christmas celebrations were banned in Brunei in 2015, with violators subject to fines or imprisonment up to five years. Oddly, Christmas Day is still a government holiday | |
![]() | Mayotte | No | Christmas Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours in Mayotte | |
![]() | Sao Tome and Principe | No | 12/25 | Christmas is one of the most eagerly celebrated days of the year in this majority Catholic country, which focuses more on the spiritual aspect of the day than its secular elements |
![]() | Isle of Man | No | Christmas celebrations on the Isle of Man follow many British and/or Celtic traditions, but many also have a Manx twist. Historically, Christmas Eve church services would end around midnight, at which time the men sing Gaelic "carvals"—long carol-like songs—until the women begin to throw dried peas at them. In modern times, choirs sing carvals as a tribute to the tradition. On Dec 26 (St. Stephen's Day), spectators gather in St. John's to watch an annual match of "cammag", a traditional sport similar to field hockey, as well as the annual Hunt the Wren dance | |
![]() | Northern Mariana Islands | No | On the Northern Mariana Islands, Christmas is a month-long celebration beginning on December 1, when a huge Christmas tree with beautiful lights is unveiled along the Paseo de Marianas. Schoolchildren take part in costume and float competitions. Tents are set up for games, food, and entertainment each Saturday leading up to Christmas. A mochitsuki festival dedicated to Japanese rice cakes is also held on December 22 |
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily (but not exclusively) on December 25th each year. Christmas is celebrated in some capacity by nearly every country in the world (see full table at page bottom) and billions of people across the globe. Christmas is both a religious and a cultural/secular holiday, incorporating not only the birth of Christ but also many nonreligious traditions such as gift-giving, the decoration of trees, gathering with loved ones, and a general sentiment of peace and good will.
While the majority of Christians celebrate Christ’s birth on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and/or December 25 (Christmas Day), these are not universally agreed-upon dates. This is because Christian denominations follow two different calendars.
Catholics, Protestants, and most of the secular world all follow the modern Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, which places Christmas in the “usual” December 24-25 slot. However, many Orthodox churches, particularly in the slavic and “stan” countries of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, follow the older Julian calendar, established in 46 B.C. by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. The Julian calendar currently trails 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, so Dec. 25 (Christmas Eve) takes place 13 days later, on the day the rest of the world knows as January 06, with Christmas Day following on Jan 07.
Whichever calendar one follows, there exists no proof that Christ was born exactly on December 25. In fact, the first mention of it did not appear until 221 A.D., nearly 200 years after the death of Jesus, in the writings of historian Sextus Julius Africanus.
Multiple theories exist as to why that particular date was selected to represent Jesus’ birthday. For example, one prevailing theory postulates that early Christians sought to coordinate with an existing Roman festival, the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), thereby connecting the rebirth of the sun with the birth of God’s son. Another theory suggests they chose a day nine months (the duration of pregnancy) after the Spring Equinox, March 25, which was believed to be the day God added light when creating the universe and therefore would also be the day he introduced Jesus, the “light of the world.”
Christmas celebrations around the world vary greatly. Religion is obviously the biggest differentiating factor, as the holiday has a much greater significance for Christians, who believe Jesus Christ is their spiritual savior, than for those who view it as the time Santa (or one of his allegories) visits. On a similar, but opposite note, Muslim nations, whose governments may believe non-Islamic holidays are sinful, are more likely to view Christmas with disdain.
However, even within the spiritual or secular camps, Christmas takes on a huge variety of forms around the world. Many themes are nearly universal—decorating trees, setting up nativity scenes, spending time feasting and celebrating with loved ones, receiving gifts left by a supernatural being—but the details vary fantastically from one country to the next.
For example, in some countries, gifts mysteriously appear in children’s stockings, but in other countries they appear in shoes or pillowcases. Moreover, the gifts may appear at various times from December 06 through January 07, and may be delivered by anyone from the white-bearded, red-clad Santa Claus of the United States to the similar (but New Year’s oriented) “Winter Father”, the baby Jesus, or even the littlest camel in the three wise men’s caravan. Santa may also be accompanied by a sidekick or opposite character such as Krampus (many European countries), Old Man Beggar (Liberia) or the controversial Black Pete or his less offensive replacement Sooty Pete (Netherlands, Luxembourg).
Christmas trees, too, display a variety of approaches. Many are stereotypical conical evergreens, but they may alternately be an olive branch, a palm tree, or a model made of coconuts or even chicken feathers. They may be decorated with anything from electric lights and ornaments to candles, ribbons, candy, and more. Also, they are not always strictly Christmas trees, as some countries—particularly former members of the Soviet Union—have no Christmas holiday per se, but celebrate the New Year in a way that the rest of the world would identify as decidedly Christmas-like (see Kazakhstan, below).
This illustrates the fact that Christmas is not a single holiday, but a season. Many countries celebrate not only on December 24-25, but also during the days leading up to Christmas, New Year’s, and especially the arrival of three wise men in Bethlehem, typically called either the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, on January 6-7.
Around the world, the majority of governments declare Christmas an official public holiday—some countries even recognize both Gregorian Christmas on Dec. 25 and Julian/Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 07. Other governments recognize Christmas as a cultural event, but stop short of declaring it an official legal holiday. A few majority Muslim countries, such as Pakistan, designate December 25 as an official holiday only for Christians.
Finally, a small subset of countries have taken an aggressive stance against Christmas, even going so far as to make public Christmas celebrations illegal. These countries are typically ruled by a totalitarian regime (North Korea) or by a Muslim government that follows a strict interpretation of Sharia Law and feels that any non-Muslim holidays are a violation of Islamic principles.
In Germany, gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas Day. This was introduced by Martin Luther, who felt that Christmas Day should focus on Christ’s birth and not on gifts. Germany is also reportedly the first country in which people began to put Christmas trees inside their homes. The tree is typically brought into the home on Christmas Eve, after the children have gone to sleep, and is secretly decorated by the mother of the family.
Christmas Eve in Poland is a day of fasting, with a festive meal served at the end of the fast. Families usually feast on a 12-course meal, which represents the 12 disciples of Jesus. Christmas Eve ends with Pasterka, the midnight mass at the local church. Christmas Day in Poland is spent attending mass and visiting friends.
The government of the Soviet Union sought to stamp out the religious aspect of Christmas, and so officially denounced the holiday—however, many of the holiday’s secular elements transferred to the New Year’s holiday. This led to the modern scenario in former Soviet countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan, in which only the Orthodox Christian minority celebrates Christmas (on Jan. 07), but everyone celebrates the New Year festival—which includes New Years trees and the bearded Snow Father (also called Father Frost or Grandfather Frost), who delivers presents to children on New Year’s Eve.
As in other European countries, gifts are opened on Christmas Eve in Norway. Santa Claus, known as Julenissen, and his small gnomes, known as “nisse” deliver the gifts. Christmas Day is a quieter and more relaxed day, with a traditional breakfast served and Church services attended. December 26th has continued celebrations of gatherings and parties with Christmas cookies and treats are enjoyed.
Because few Christians live in Japan, Christmas is not celebrated as a religious holiday. Nor is it recognized by the government as a formal public holiday. However, Christmas is seen as a time to spread happiness in Japan, and many Western Christmas traditions have been adopted by Japan. Gifts are exchanged and Christmas parties are held around Christmas Day. During the 1970s, an advertising campaign made it popular to eat KFC around Christmas, a tradition so popular that KFCs in Japan now take reservations and orders for Christmas meals weeks in advance.
Iceland celebrates Yule, which is linked to winter solstice celebrations dating back thousands of years before Christmas. In fact, many Christmas traditions are taken from Yule. Celebrations in Iceland begin four Sundays before December 24th (Advent) and end on January 6th, 13 days later. Thirteen days before December 24th, children leave out shoes by the window so that the Yule Lads, the two sons of trolls living the mountains known for their mischief, can leave them small presents. On the 24th, some will attend mass at 6:00 pm and others will begin their holiday meal, after which gifts are opened.