Every corner of the globe adds a unique twist to the month of December. These celebrations turn the season into a series of wonderful surprises for every traveler. Sharing these stories helps us view global cultures through a more vibrant lens. Of course, you should prepare yourself for a journey beyond the typical festivities.
First of all, these customs prove that holiday cheer takes many different and fascinating forms. For example, you will discover everything from giant glowing lanterns to mischievous mountain trolls. Therefore, this guide serves as your passport to the most remarkable celebrations on the planet. Ultimately, exploring these unusual holiday traditions around the world will change how you view the season. Experience the magic, the humor, and the history of these fifteen incredible destinations.
Unusual Holiday Traditions Around the World
1. Giant Lantern Festival – Philippines
For starters, visit San Fernando, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, to see the world’s most spectacular light show. You will find yourself surrounded by enormous lanterns called parols that tower twenty feet high. These masterpieces use thousands of light bulbs to create complex, dancing patterns. Therefore, the craftsmanship involved is truly world-class and breathtaking. Capture the sea of neon color and contagious energy with your camera. Ultimately, you will feel the community spirit shining through every intricate design. This event is a highlight among unusual holiday traditions around the world.
2. The 13 Yule Lads – Iceland
Icelandic folklore introduces you to the thirteen Yule Lads, who are mischievous mountain trolls. You should place your shoes by the window each night for thirteen days before Christmas. Each morning, you will discover either a small gift or a rotting potato. Of course, your reward depends entirely on your behavior during the previous day. Therefore, you must be on your best behavior to avoid the dreaded potato. You will enjoy the excitement and laughter this quirky tradition brings to families. Ultimately, these brothers represent a fascinating and ancient part of unusual holiday traditions around the world.
3. Las Posadas – Mexico
Join the candlelit processions of Las Posadas across Mexico to experience a deep sense of community. You will walk through the streets for nine nights to reenact a famous biblical journey. You can sing traditional carols and knock on doors to request a place to stay. Firstly, the participants dress in beautiful costumes to represent historical figures. Once you are welcomed inside, join the crowd to break open star-shaped piñatas. Therefore, you should prepare for a shower of candy and fruit to fall from the ceiling. Ultimately, this remains one of the most heartwarming and unusual holiday traditions around the world.
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4. Christmas Fried Chicken – Japan
Celebrate your Christmas Eve in Japan with a famous bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. You must pre-order your festive meal weeks in advance to avoid the massive lines. Of course, this tradition seems unusual to many visitors from Western countries. This custom started in 1974 after a highly successful marketing campaign called Kentucky for Christmas. Therefore, the holiday has become synonymous with this specific fast-food brand in Japan. Gather your friends to share your quirky holiday photos on social media. Ultimately, Japan offers one of the most commercially successful unusual holiday traditions around the world.
5. Krampus Night – Austria
Encounter the terrifying Krampus, a horned beast who roams the streets of Austria on December 5th. You will see men in elaborate fur costumes and hand-carved wooden masks. They rattle heavy iron chains and ring loud cowbells to announce their arrival. Firstly, the appearance of the Krampus is meant to frighten children into good behavior. Therefore, you should stay on your best behavior while walking through alpine villages. Grab a glass of warm Glühwein to steady your nerves as the beasts growl. Ultimately, this dark festival is a thrilling entry in the list of unusual holiday traditions around the world.
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6. The Mari Lwyd – Wales
Witness the strange sight of the Mari Lwyd in Wales, which features a decorated horse skull. You will see performers carrying the skull on a pole while draped in white sheets. They go door-to-door and challenge homeowners to a battle of rhyming insults. Of course, you must use your wit to defend your home from the horse. Therefore, the tradition encourages local people to practice their creative writing and singing skills. This custom celebrates the return of light after the long winter solstice. Ultimately, this haunting ritual is among the most poetic and unusual holiday traditions around the world.
7. Spider Web Trees – Ukraine
Look closely at a Ukrainian Christmas tree to find shimmering artificial spiders and delicate webs. You are following an old legend about a poor widow who could not afford decorations. Of course, the story ends happily when magical spiders decorate the tree with silk. Therefore, these unique ornaments symbolize good luck and future prosperity for the household. You will often see these spiders made from beads, silver wire, or sparkling crystals. This tradition proves that beauty often comes from the most humble and unexpected places. Ultimately, you will find this is one of the most symbolic unusual holiday traditions around the world.
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8. The Night of the Radishes
Head to Oaxaca, Mexico, on December 23rd for the incredible Night of the Radishes. You will see local artisans carving oversized radishes into intricate and detailed sculptures. Firstly, these vegetables are grown specifically for this event and can reach massive sizes. Therefore, the skill required to carve these brittle vegetables is truly impressive. Thousands of people wait in long lines to view these temporary masterpieces. Ultimately, this creative festival is a standout among the many unusual holiday traditions around the world.
9. The Caganer – Spain
Search through a traditional Catalan Nativity scene to find the famous Caganer figurine. You will spot a small character tucked in a quiet corner with his trousers down. Of course, this humorous figure is a staple of Christmas in the Catalonia region. This character represents the fertilization of the earth and promises a bountiful harvest. Therefore, it is considered a symbol of good luck rather than a sign of disrespect. Modern versions now depict famous celebrities, politicians, or even world-renowned athletes. Ultimately, the Caganer is one of the most humorous and unusual holiday traditions around the world.
10. Roller Skating to Mass – Venezuela
Strap on your skates in Caracas, Venezuela, for a unique trip to early morning Mass. You can join hundreds of people gliding through city streets that are closed to cars. Firstly, the government shuts down traffic to ensure the safety of the skaters. Some children tie a long string to their big toe and hang it out the window. Therefore, passing skaters can tug the string to wake the children for church. Ultimately, this active and joyful celebration is one of the most energetic unusual holiday traditions around the world.
11. Hiding the Brooms – Norway
Remember to hide your brooms before you go to bed on Christmas Eve in Norway. You are following an ancient belief that witches emerge during the dark night. Of course, legend says these spirits search for brooms to steal for their flight. Therefore, many Norwegian families still hide their cleaning tools in safe places. Men might even fire a shotgun into the air to scare away any ghosts. Ultimately, this quirky superstition is one of the more protective unusual holiday traditions around the world.
12. The Kallikantzaroi – Greece & The Balkans
While you celebrate the twelve days of Christmas, beware of the Kallikantzaroi—chaos-loving goblins that emerge from the center of the earth. You spend the year safe while these creatures saw at the “World Tree” that holds up the world, but from December 25th to January 6th, they surface to wreak havoc in your home. You must keep your hearth fire burning bright throughout the holiday season to prevent them from sliding down your chimney. To protect your household, you might also hang a pig’s jaw behind the door or perform a ritual blessing to keep these mischievous spirits at bay until they are forced back underground.
13. The Gävle Goat
Travel to Gävle, Sweden, to see a massive straw goat standing over forty feet tall. You will witness a tradition that began in 1966 to attract shoppers. Of course, the goat has become famous for a very different and destructive reason. It has faced decades of secret arson attacks from determined and anonymous vandals. Therefore, the town must now use security guards and fences to protect the monument. Ultimately, the battle to save the goat is one of the most persistent unusual holiday traditions around the world.
14. The Christmas Pickle – Berrien Springs, Michigan
You might find yourself peering deep into the branches of a Christmas tree, hunting for a tiny green glass pickle. While the “German” origins of this tradition are likely a Victorian marketing myth, you recognize it as a staple of American holiday fun. In Berrien Springs, known as the “Christmas Pickle Capital of the World,” you celebrate this quirky custom with parades and festivals. You know the rules: the first person to spot the hidden ornament on Christmas morning receives an extra gift or the promise of good luck for the upcoming year.
15. Shoe Throwing – Czech Republic
If you are a single woman in the Czech Republic, try throwing a shoe over your shoulder. You must stand with your back to the door on Christmas Eve. Of course, you are hoping the shoe lands with the toe pointing toward the exit. Therefore, a shoe pointing toward the door signifies a wedding in the coming year. If the heel points toward the door, you will likely remain single. Ultimately, this simple game is one of the most charming unusual holiday traditions around the world.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
