20 Most Bizarre Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas traditions vary around the world, and some are genuinely one-of-a-kind.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Christmas traditions can be surprising, with some being unusual. People worldwide celebrate in fun ways, like roller-skating to church or hiding brooms to avoid bad luck. These 20 traditions make Christmas memorable and show how different cultures celebrate in their way.
1. Roller Skating to Church - Venezuela
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It’s not unusual to see people skating to early morning Christmas Mass in Caracas. Streets are even closed to traffic to accommodate the faithful on wheels. This joyful tradition adds a sporty twist to holiday spirituality.
2. Hiding Brooms - Norway
John Riley on Wikimedia Commons
Norwegians believe Christmas Eve is when witches and evil spirits roam freely. To ward off bad luck, brooms are hidden to prevent them from being stolen for a midnight ride. It’s a spooky twist to a cheerful one.
3. Pickle Ornaments - Germany
Mira Mechtley on Wikimedia Commons
Germans often hide a pickle-shaped ornament in their Christmas tree. The first person to find it gets a special gift or good luck for the following year. This quirky custom is both a game and a good luck charm.
4. KFC for Christmas Dinner - Japan
Mr.ちゅらさん on Wikimedia Commons
Forget turkey and stuffing; it’s all about Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan. A successful marketing campaign in the 1970s made this a national tradition, with people placing orders weeks in advance.
5. Caganer Figures - Catalonia
David Perez on Wikimedia Commons
Catalonia’s nativity scenes often include a small figurine of a defecating man called the Caganer. This figurine symbolizes fertility and good fortune and adds an earthy humor to the holy scene.
6. The Yule Lads - Iceland
Andrii Gladii on Wikimedia Commons
In Iceland, during the 13 days before Christmas, children are visited by 13 mischievous Yule Lads. Each has a unique name and prank, such as stealing food or causing trouble in the kitchen. It’s a fun and spooky twist on Santa’s helpers.
7. The Christmas Spider - Ukraine
Erika Smith on Wikimedia Commons
In Ukraine, people decorate their trees with artificial spiders and webs. This tradition comes from a folk tale where a poor woman couldn’t afford to decorate her tree, and the spiders helped by making beautiful webs.
8. Sinterklaas and Black Pete - Netherlands
![Michell Zappa] on Wikimedia Commons ](https://cdn.ohmypaws.net/9a83bf20-1f75-4c58-bad3-a8832b6cb19e.webp) Michell Zappa] on Wikimedia Commons
In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives in mid-November, accompanied by his helper, Black Pete. Children leave their shoes out to receive candy, and festive celebrations last until December 5th.
9. The Christmas Witch - Italy
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In Italy, La Befana, the Christmas Witch, brings gifts to children on January 5th. She’s said to fly on a broom, delivering presents to good kids and lumps of coal to the naughty ones.
10. The Three Kings - Mexico
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In Mexico, the Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day), which occurs on January 6th, marks the end of Christmas celebrations. Today, children leave their shoes out to receive gifts from the Three Kings, similar to Christmas Eve traditions.
11. A Christmas Swim - Australia
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Since Christmas falls in summer in Australia, many people celebrate by swimming at the beach. Some even hold Christmas barbecues or outdoor picnics by the water.
12. Eating KFC for Christmas - South Korea
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Like in Japan, many people in South Korea enjoy a Christmas meal at KFC. It’s so popular that families often order their meals weeks in advance for their festive treat.
13. The Yule Goat - Sweden
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In Sweden, the Yule Goat is a popular Christmas symbol. A giant straw goat is often built in Gavle, but it has a history of being mysteriously set on fire each year.
14. Caga Tió – Catalonia, Spain
Caga Tió PF
In Catalonia, families decorate a log known as Caga Tió (the pooping log) during the holiday season. Children beat the log with sticks while singing songs to make it “poop” out sweets and small gifts.
15. The Christmas Dog – Finland
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In Finland, many people celebrate Christmas by honoring the memory of their pets, especially dogs. The tradition involves lighting candles in their memory on Christmas Eve.
16. The Holiday Boat Parade – USA
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In some coastal areas of the U.S., people decorate their boats with holiday lights and sail through the water, creating a dazzling display of festive cheer.
17. The Christmas Eve Feast – Poland
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Christmas Eve is a time for a special feast called Wigilia in Poland. Families share 12 dishes, each representing one of the 12 apostles, and a piece of opłatek (wafer) to wish peace and goodwill.
18. The Gifting of Books – Iceland
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In Iceland, there’s a tradition called the Jólabókaflóð, or “Christmas Book Flood,” where people give books as gifts on Christmas Eve. It’s a perfect excuse to relax and read through the night.
19. Midnight Mass and Fireworks – Mexico
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In Mexico, many families attend Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve. After the Mass, there are fireworks and a big meal. It’s a lively celebration that blends faith and fun.
20. Christmas Tinner – UK
Alf van Beem on Wikimedia Commons
A bizarre Christmas tradition in the UK is the Christmas Tinner, a canned meal that includes all the components of a Christmas dinner, such as turkey, stuffing, and Christmas pudding, in one can.