20 Christmas Characters from Different Cultures Who Aren't Santa
From mischievous gnomes to magical witches, Christmas characters worldwide offer a delightful mix of festive cheer, quirky traditions, and thrilling tales that make the holiday season even more enchanting!
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Christmas characters from various countries across the globe create an intricate tapestry of folklore, mixing magic, mischief, and moral lessons into a whole. These wonderful characters from Italy’s Befana, Iceland’s Yule Lads, and Germany’s Krampus, from diverse traditions, make Christmas all the more exciting to celebrate. The exploration of these characters provides an excellent festive spirit and delves into how different cultures can celebrate joy, wonder, and mystery surrounding Christmas.
1. Krampus (Austria/Germany)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
He’s frightening yet somehow lovable; Krampus is the horned companion of Saint Nicholas. Where Nicholas rewards the good children, Krampus deals with the naughty ones—sometimes stuffing them into a sack! He’s an odd yet fascinating figure in Alpine folklore.
2. Befana (Italy)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
On Epiphany Eve (January 5th), this kindly witch flies on her broomstick, delivering candy to good children and coal to the naughty. Befana is said to be still searching for the Christ Child, whom she missed visiting after the Wise Men passed her by. With her patched clothes and maternal vibe, she’s an Italian Christmas staple.
3. Ded Moroz (Russia)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
Russia’s “Grandfather Frost” visits children on New Year’s Eve, often with his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, Snegurochka. Unlike jolly Santa, Ded Moroz is dignified and stern-looking, dressed in a long coat and carrying a magical staff. His chilly, Slavic charm has made him a favorite in Eastern Europe.
4. Sinterklaas (Netherlands)
Zscout370 from Wikipedia
Sinterklaas, the Dutch forerunner of Santa, arrives on a steamboat from Spain with his assistant Zwarte Piet. Dressed in a bishop’s miter, he rides on a white horse over the rooftops to deliver his presents on December 5th. His pompous entrance rituals are the most popular events in the Dutch holiday season.
5. La Navidad (Puerto Rico)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
Puerto Rican Christmas traditions are represented by characters like the parranda, groups of carolers who bring much-needed delight to their communities. Festive wanderers typify community spirit, music, and celebration. They remind everyone that Christmas in Puerto Rico isn’t complete without salsa beats and roasted pork.
6. Julenisse (Norway)
Gutten på Hemsen from Wikipedia
A mischievous gnome who protects farmhouses, Julenisse demands his annual bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve. Forget leaving it out; he might play pranks or even abandon your home entirely! Despite his gruff demeanor, Julenisse embodies the warmth of Norwegian holiday folklore.
7. The Yule Lads (Iceland)
Árni Dagur from Wikipedia
Iceland has 13 Yule Lads, a rather odd assortment of mischief-makers visiting children during the 13 nights before Christmas. There is Spoon-Licker to Door-Slammer, each living up to their peculiar name. Together with their frightening mother, Grýla, they make Icelandic Christmas unique.
8. Tió de Nadal (Catalonia, Spain)
Motoroil from Wikipedia
Also known as the “Christmas Log,” Tió de Nadal receives a smiling face and some whacks from sticks so that he will “poop” presents on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, children sing to whip the log, hoping to get candy and other small items. It sounds strange but is delightful.
9. Mari Lwyd (Wales)
Tobias Jakobs from Wikipedia
This skeletal horse figure roams Welsh villages during Christmas, bantering playfully (and often raucous singing) with locals. The aim is to “beat” Mari Lwyd in a battle of rhymes, after which she’s invited in for food and drink. Equal parts eerie and entertaining, Mari Lwyd is unforgettable.
10. El Caganer (Catalonia, Spain)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
This cheeky Christmas character is a small figure of a man relieving himself, hidden in Catalan nativity scenes. Although irreverent, he symbolizes good fortune and fertilization for the coming year. Finding him in a nativity is a quirky Christmas tradition.
11. Tomte (Sweden)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
A cousin of Norway’s Julenisse, Tomte is a benevolent household gnome who protects families during the winter. Leave him a bowl of porridge (don’t skimp on the butter!) or risk his wrath. His small stature and protective nature have made him a staple of Swedish Christmas.
12. Christkind (Germany/Austria)
Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung from Wikipedia
Often portrayed as a golden-haired child or angel, Christkind delivers presents on Christmas Eve. While first used by Martin Luther to supplant Catholic Saint Nicholas, Christkind remains an icon of divine generosity. In some traditions, children write letters to Christkind instead of Santa Claus.
13. Perchta (Germany/Austria)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
She’s the “Christmas Witch” and rewards the hard-working with gifts and punishes the lazy by slitting their bellies (yikes!). This fearsome figure is a guardian of morality and a terrifying reminder to keep your act together during the holidays. She’s the yin to Christmas’s cheerful yang.
14. Gryla (Iceland)
Árni Dagur from Wikipedia
The mother of the Yule Lads, Gryla, is a monstrous troll who feasts on naughty children during the holidays. She lives in the mountains and is a cautionary tale and a festive figure. Gryla makes sure Icelandic children have every reason to be good!
15. Saint Lucia (Sweden/Italy)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
Celebrated on December 13th, Saint Lucia is honored with candlelit processions in Sweden and Italy. Girls dressed as Lucia wear white robes with red sashes and crowns of candles, symbolizing light in the darkest time of year. Her day blends Christian and pagan traditions beautifully.
16. Nisse (Denmark)
Madden from Wikipedia
Denmark’s version of the household gnome, Nisse, is a playful and protective figure at Christmastime. Families honor him with rice pudding to ensure his goodwill. He represents the deep bond between Danish culture and the land’s folklore.
17. The Magi (Spain/Latin America)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
The Three Wise Men are the central figures in Epiphany celebrations in Spain and Latin America. On January 5th, children leave shoes out for the Magi to fill with gifts. The Magi’s camel-riding journeys through the streets bring vibrant parades and festive cheer.
18. La Bafana del Natale (Italy)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
This spin on the Befana legend focuses on her role as a maternal figure seeking redemption. The story weaves nicely into Italian nativity scenes and folklore. Families look forward to her goodies on January 6th.
19. Olentzero (Basque Country, Spain)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
This jolly coal seller delivers gifts to Basque children on Christmas Eve. With his hearty laugh and rustic charm, Olentzero personifies the humble joy of Christmas. His roots in Basque tradition connect the modern holiday to its pastoral past.
20. Frau Holle (Germany)
Wikiphotos from Wikipedia
A wintry goddess who shakes her feather bed to create snow. Fraulein Holle is as kind and commanding as ever. Known from the stories of Grimm, she rewards industry and punishes sloth. And snowy magic and moral lessons made her a Christmas heroine.