Seasonal holidays around the world
- Amelia
- Dec 20, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2021
As people around the globe prepare for Christmas, Holdiays, Hanukkah, and other celebrations, let us learn about how different countries and cultures celebrate these holidays. Consider leanring about them and even incorporating them into your celebration. Please note that by all means people in these countries each celebrate holdiays in a different fashion. These are just typical activities, events, or traditions that may be apart of people’s celebrations in this country.
Christmas in Argentina
Argentina has a beautiful tradition that seems like it is right out of the movie Tangled. On Christmas Eve citizens release “globos” or paper lanterns into the sky. The lanterns have small candles lite inside them that illuminate the sky with thousands of lights.
Columbia Hanukkah
Santa Marta, Columbia started a new Hanukkah tradition blending Jewish traditions with Colombian cuisine. Latkes are traditional Hanukkah meals. In Columbia they switched them out for fried plantains (Patacones)
St. Nicholas’ Day In Germany
On the night of Dember 6th (Nikolaus Tag) leaves small treats for kids in there shoes. This is a common trading in Bavaria and has been adapted in other countries as well. Kids put there shoes out in hope of receiving candy canes, oranges, toys, coins, and other goodies.
Sweden Christmas Goat
A Yule Goat or Gävle the Goat is made from straw and is placed in Castle Square in Sweden. It is fourty-two feet high and this tradition dates back to the pagan festivals.
Christmas in New Zealand
The Southern Hemisphere has a summer Christmas. Therefore Christmas is spent grilling outside with family or friends and walking along the beach. Many Christmas trees are swaped for Pohutukawal, a costal bright tree with red flowers.
Philippines Christmas
In the Philippines they celebrate a big Christmas. Their holiday season starts in a September and does not end until January 9th making it one of the longest seasons. A common decoration that can be found is called the parol. This is a bamboo pole roped with a star lantern that represents the star the wise men saw. Many stars can be found around the country. They are often brightly colored.
Jerusalem during Hanukkah
During the Festival Of Lights, the city is brightly lite for eight nights. A Hanukkah Torch Relay takes place each year bringing a flames from Modi’in to Jerusalems old city wall.
Japanese Christmas
While Christmas is a religious time for many countries, other celebrate the commercial from of Christmas. This includes spending time with family, shopping, and celebrating the holiday cheer. The day is similar to Valentine’s Day where many couples and families spend time together. Santa Clause in Japan is known as ”Hoteiosho” who has eyes in the back of his head to watch the children, therefore they have to be good. A common meal eaten on Christmas includes fast food such as KFC.
Greece Christmas Boat parade
Greece takes advantage of the water around and combines it with Christmas. The Christmas Tree was believed to be brought to Greece in 1833 on King Ottos ship. Therefore, every year people decorate their boats with lights and décor and parade around to spread the cheer.
Ethiopia Ganna day
Christmas in Ethiopia is called Ganna or Genna and is celebrated on January 7th. The day is not spent given gifts rather it is about food, family, and church. Before mass begins, participants circle the church three times carrying candles and wearing a white shawl called a Netela.
Mexico Christmas Eve
In Mexico Chrismas Eve is called Nochebuena. Families and friends gather to have a big feast while singing and dancing. Instead of traditional red and green to represent the holiday, lots of colors can be found flooding the streets. Piñatas are often shared and many Religious families chose to attend midnight mass.
South Korea at Christmas time
The streets of South Korea are full of lights. The bridges are covered in lights. Santa Claus to them is Santa Harabji or Grandfather Santa who wears blue rather then red.
Regardless of the type of holiday or how you celebrate during the season, consider learning about different traditions around the globe. If you want to learn more about these celebrations or how other countries celebrate check out these articles:
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