19 Christmas Eve Traditions From Around The World

Christmas Eve traditions vary in different countries and parts of the world. Many special feasts and customs are planned for this evening to prepare people for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Many countries have devised ways to celebrate this night, often combining faith traditions with fun folklore. These 19 traditions, which are all different in how they are done, show how varied holiday traditions are and how everyone loves celebrating.

1. Poland - “Wigilia Dinner”

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The twelve-course “Wigilia” dinner in Poland on Christmas Eve to honor the twelve saints is a big deal. An opłatek, a thin cracker, is often broken at the meal’s start while family members exchange good wishes. There is always an empty seat at the table to remember loved ones who aren’t there or to help people who are in need.

2. Mexico - “La Nochebuena”

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During “La Nochebuena,” a late-night feast on Christmas Eve in Mexico, families eat traditional foods like bacalao (salted cod) and tamales. Joyful Mass, called “Misa de Gallo,” is held at midnight. A party with music and fireworks follows this. At the end of the night, piñatas are broken. These are usually filled with candy and small toys.

3. Italy - “La Vigilia”

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On Christmas Eve in Italy, people eat the “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” consisting of different seafood recipes. In the past, no meat was served because it was a fast day before Christmas. Many families go to “La Messa di Mezzanotte” (Midnight Mass) after the feast to celebrate the start of Christmas.

4. Spain - “Nochebuena” and “El Gordo”

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In Spain, Christmas Eve, or “Nochebuena,” is a time for families to get together and eat fancy meals like roasted lamb and turrón. One unique thing about the night is the drawing for “El Gordo,” the biggest lottery in the world. It’s a lot of fun and a chance to win a lot of money. Following the meal, many people go to Midnight Mass, also known as “La Misa del Gallo.”

5. Germany - Christmette

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In Germany, Christmas Eve is a time for family, and many people go to “Christmette,” or Christmas Midnight Mass. After the service, people go home to open gifts, often under a beautifully decorated tree. In some places, kids leave their shoes outside, hoping that “Christkind” will bring them small gifts or candy.

6. Sweden - “Julbord”

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In Sweden, people enjoy Christmas Eve with a big “Julbord,” a spread of hot and cold foods like meatballs, cured salmon, and herring. There is a Christmas ham in the middle of the feast, which is the main dish of the evening. For the Swedish “Kalle Anka” tradition, many families then watch the famous Donald Duck Christmas special on TV.

7. Austria - “Heiliger Abend”

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“Heiliger Abend” is what people in Austria call Christmas Eve. It is the most important day of the Christmas season. There is a church service in the morning, followed by a joyful dinner of roasted goose or carp in the evening. After the meal, families get together to share gifts. Often, the gifts are hidden under the Christmas tree and aren’t seen until after the meal.

8. Norway - “Julebord”

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To enjoy Christmas Eve in Norway, people eat a special meal called “Julebord,” which includes roast pork and dried fish. A lot of families light candles and sing Christmas songs after the meal. Putting out porridge for the “nisse,” a naughty Norwegian Christmas elf, is a practice people do to get lucky.

9. Finland - “Jouluaatto”

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In Finland, Christmas Eve, or “Jouluaatto,” is a time for families to get together and reflect on the holiday. Finns often go to saunas before the holiday because they think it cleans the body and spirit. After that, families have a quiet holiday meal and go to church. The practice ends with Christmas saunas.

10. Greece - “Kalanda”

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On Christmas Eve in Greece, children go door-to-door singing “Kalanda,” Christmas songs. People share traditional foods like kourabiedes (almond cookies) and melomakarona (honey cookies). Many families decorate their homes with small wooden boats to honor maritime customs. Midnight Mass is an essential part of the party.

11. Poland - “Pasterka Mass”

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Many Polish families attend Pasterka, a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which is seen as a spiritual high point. Many people bring a piece of hay under their tablecloth to honor the shepherds who were the first to hear the news of Christ’s birth. Dinner is often given after church; people usually share a traditional fish dish like herring or carp. After Mass, families go home to give and receive gifts and continue their happy evening.

12. Iceland - “Jólabókaflóð”

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 Icelanders call Christmas Eve “Jólabókaflóð,” which means “Christmas Book Flood. " This is when family members give each other books as gifts. After that, it’s customary to curl up by the fire and read, which makes the room feel warm and inviting. During Christmas, people in Iceland also eat foods like roast lamb and rice mush.

13. Czech Republic - “Vánoce”

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Every year on Christmas Eve in the Czech Republic, families do something called “Vánoce,” in which they fast during the day to prepare for the big meal that night. An empty plate is often left at dinner for a surprise guest as a sign of kindness. Traditionally, people eat Christmas carp for dinner. After dinner, they open gifts and eat sweets like “vánočka” instead.

14. Venezuela - “La Misa de Aguinaldo”

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On Christmas Eve in Venezuela, people joyfully celebrate “La Misa de Aguinaldo,” a special Mass with Christmas songs and hymns. After the game, many families hit the streets, often on roller skates, to enjoy the lively atmosphere. “Hallacas,” a traditional Venezuelan dish that stands for national pride, is served at the celebration dinner.

15. Ethiopia - “Genna”

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In Ethiopia, Christmas Eve is part of Genna’s holy holiday, which marks Christ’s birth. People eat injera (flatbread) and doro wat (spicy chicken stew) for dinner. The night is spent in church for extended services and prayers. Once the holiday is over, families get together to share their thanks and have fun.

16. France - “Réveillon de Noël”

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The “Réveillon de Noël” is a fancy dinner served after Midnight Mass in France. Several dishes, such as oysters, foie gras, and roasted meats, are usually served. A rich sponge cake made like a log and decorated with holiday designs is called a “bûche de Noël” (Yule log) and is also a favorite dessert among French families.

17. Japan - “Kurisumasu”

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Japan celebrates Christmas Eve with a festive meal of fried chicken, which the fast food chain KFC made famous in the 1970s. Many people also give and receive small gifts, and couples often enjoy the night with romantic meals because Christmas Eve is more of a holiday for couples than for getting together with family. Bright Christmas lights are usually strung along the streets, making people joyful.

18. Ukraine - “Sviata Večera”

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On Christmas Eve in Ukraine, families eat a special meal called “Sviata Večera,” which consists of twelve meatless dishes to honor the twelve apostles. The food “kutia,” made of wheat, honey, and poppy seeds and representing the sweetness of life, is an integral part of the meal. After dinner, many people go to church to give and receive gifts.

19. Switzerland - “Samichlaus”

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“Samichlaus” Swiss people celebrate Christmas Eve by having “Samichlaus,” or Saint Nicholas, come to their house with gifts for the kids. In the past, kids would put their shoes out in anticipation of getting small gifts or treats. In the evening, people often eat a happy meal and get together with their families. In some places, they also have the “Chlausjagen,” a parade of people dressed as Samichlaus.

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