How Different Cultures Celebrate The Holidays
December is the ultimate celebration season, a time for family, friends, and all the feasting your heart desires. But the holidays are more than just fairy lights, food, and feel-good vibes. They’re steeped in vibrant traditions, beliefs, and customs that showcase the rich diversity of cultures around the globe. Whether lighting candles, eating doughnuts or chasing someone dressed as a demon (yes, you heard right), there’s something magical about this time of year.
Here’s a peek at how cultures across the globe celebrate the December holidays.
Holidays In December
Christmas
You know the drill, trees decked in lights and ornaments, stockings stuffed to the brim with goodies, and a certain red-suited man squeezing down chimneys. However, Christmas isn’t a one-size-fits-all celebration.
In Germany, St. Nicholas Day kicks off the holiday spirit on 6th December. Kids leave their shoes out overnight, hoping St. Nicholas fills them with treats (or coal, if they’ve been naughty). Meanwhile, in Mexico, Las Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter with lively processions, piñatas, and plenty of tamales.
In Australia, Christmas means sunshine, surfing, ocean swims, quality time with the family and the sizzle of shrimp on the barbie. In Italy, Christmas Eve is all about the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a delicious seafood feast shared with loved ones. On 6th January, Christmas wraps up with the arrival of La Befana, a friendly witch who swoops in on her broomstick to deliver gifts to children.
And if you find yourself in Iceland, beware of the Yule Cat, a mythical feline who’s not above eating anyone who hasn’t received new clothes for Christmas.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah (aka The Festival of Lights) celebrates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Running from 25th December to 2nd January, this Jewish holiday is marked by nightly menorah lightings, prayers, and a feast of fried delights like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
It’s not just about the food, though. Hanukkah is a time for family, connection, reflection, and a little competitive dreidel spinning with a few chocolate coins (gelt) thrown in for fun.
Yule
Before Christmas stole the show, Yule was THE winter celebration. Rooted in Norse and Germanic pagan traditions, it honoured the winter solstice with hearty feasts, roaring fires, and a little magic and mysticism. Today, modern Pagans celebrate with Yule logs (either edible or burnable), candles to symbolise the sun’s slow return, and rituals that connect them to nature and the rhythms of the season.
Krampusnacht
Think Santa’s naughty list is bad? In Germany, Austria and other Alpine regions, Krampusnacht is the dark side of the December holidays. Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon creature, roams the streets on 5th December, the eve before St. Nicholas Day, scaring misbehaving children and handing out coal. It’s equally terrifying and entertaining, kind of like family karaoke night after too much mulled wine.
Bodhi Day
On 8th December, Buddhists around the world celebrate Bodhi Day, the moment Siddhartha Gautama (aka Buddha) reached enlightenment under the iconic Bodhi tree. It’s a calm, reflective affair, with meditation, chanting, and tea ceremonies taking centre stage. No flashy lights or loud parties here, just tranquility for those who prefer mindfulness over mayhem.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa, celebrated from 26th December to 1st January, is the ultimate ode to African heritage, culture, and community. Celebrated primarily in the United States, each day is dedicated to one of seven principles, including unity, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Expect colourful ceremonies filled with music, storytelling, and a feast called Karamu, held on the 6th day of Kwanzaa. It’s a true celebration of ancestors, roots, resilience, and everything that makes a community thrive.
Santa Lucia
In Sweden, 13th December belongs to Santa Lucia, a celebration of light in the heart of winter. It is a festive day honouring Lucia of Syracuse, a martyr who, according to legend, delivered food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs wearing a candlelit wreath.
Today, girls dressed in white gowns and glowing crowns lead processions and sing traditional songs. And, of course, no Saint Lucia celebration is complete without Lussekatt (saffron buns), gingerbread biscuits, and a little glögg (mulled wine).
December isn’t just a month, it’s a mood. From candlelit feasts to dodging Krampus, this is the season to relax, reflect, connect and maybe overdo it on dessert. Whether a stylish Christmas escape or a blissed-out feast, celebrate the December holidays the Ovolo-style.