Christmas Eve Traditions | 50 Weird & Wonderful Customs from Around the World
Christmas Eve is celebrated in countless unique and fascinating ways around the world, with each country adding its own special traditions to the festive season. From feasts and folklore to quirky customs and heartfelt gatherings, this list will take you on a journey through the most enchanting Christmas Eve Traditions that will hopefully both inspire and captivate your interest.
Here at Easthampstead Park in Berkshire, we've managed to create our very own Christmas Traditions over the years and you can view all thats on offer with us on our Christmas In Berkshire web page.
We hope you enjoy the read!
- Midnight Mass
Attending midnight church services is a Christmas Eve staple in many Christian countries.
- Feast of the Seven Fishes
In Italy and among Italian-Americans, this seafood feast is a Christmas Eve tradition.
- KFC Christmas Dinner
In Japan, it’s become popular to enjoy KFC on Christmas Eve!
- Christmas Eve Sauna
In Finland, families gather for a relaxing sauna before Christmas.
- Hiding the Brooms
Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent witches from stealing them on Christmas Eve.
- Nochebuena Feast
In Spain, families come together for a lavish feast after midnight mass.
- Julebord
In Norway, Christmas Eve dinner consists of hearty foods like ribs and dried lamb.
- Carols by Candlelight
In Australia, people gather outdoors for candlelit Christmas carolling.
- Christkind Arrives
In Germany, the Christkind (Christ child) brings gifts on Christmas Eve, not Santa Claus.
- Christmas Piñata
In Mexico, children break a piñata filled with treats on Christmas Eve.
- Meatless Dinner
In Poland, a traditional 12-dish meatless dinner is served, representing the apostles.
- Yule Goat
In Sweden, a giant straw Yule Goat is erected in towns on Christmas Eve.
- Santa Lucia Procession
In Italy, children participate in a candle-lit Santa Lucia parade on Christmas Eve.
- Hogmanay Torchlight Parade
In Scotland, people celebrate with a torchlight parade and fireworks.
- Christmas Eve Gift-Giving
In many European countries like Austria and Hungary, gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve.
- Caganer
In Catalonia, Spain, a humorous figurine of a defecating man is hidden in nativity scenes.
- The Yule Log Cake
In France, families enjoy a Bûche de Noël, a cake shaped like a Yule log, for dessert.
- Pork Tamales
In parts of Central America, families prepare and enjoy tamales on Christmas Eve.
- Krampus
In Austria, the Krampus, a terrifying creature, roams the streets to scare naughty children.
- The Golden Pig
In Slovakia, it’s believed that fasting until dinner lets you see a golden pig on Christmas Eve.
- Eating Pudding
In the UK, a rich Christmas pudding is often served as the grand finale of the meal.
- Sinterklaas Arrives
In the Netherlands, children receive gifts from Sinterklaas on Christmas Eve.
- Candle in the Window
In Ireland, placing a candle in the window symbolizes welcoming the Holy Family.
- Skating to Church
In Venezuela, it’s common to skate to early morning church services on Christmas Eve.
- The Witch Befana
In parts of Italy, Befana, a good witch, is believed to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve.
- Singing Villancicos
In Spain, families sing traditional Christmas songs called villancicos.
- Chanting Psalm 96
In Israel, Christmas Eve masses in Bethlehem often include a chanting of Psalm 96.
- Roasting Chestnuts
- In the US and UK, roasted chestnuts are a classic Christmas Eve street food.
- Gingerbread Houses
In Germany and the US, making gingerbread houses is a favorite family activity on Christmas Eve.
- Caga Tió
In Catalonia, children beat a log (Caga Tió) with sticks to make it 'poop' candy.
- Christmas Eve Pajama Party
In the US, many families have matching pajama parties on Christmas Eve.
- Pavlova Dessert
In New Zealand, the festive dessert Pavlova is often served at Christmas Eve celebrations.
- Straw Animals
In Ukraine, homes are decorated with small straw animal figurines on Christmas Eve for luck.
- Lighting of the Advent Wreath
In Germany, the last candle of the Advent wreath is lit on Christmas Eve.
- Santa’s Milk and Cookies
In the US, children leave milk and cookies out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
- The Gävle Goat
In Sweden, people gather around to see the giant straw Gävle Goat, though it often gets burned down!
- Sharing Oplatek
In Poland, families share a thin wafer called oplatek as a symbol of forgiveness.
- Julenisse
In Norway, a mischievous Christmas gnome called the Julenisse delivers presents.
- Yule Lads
In Iceland, 13 Santa-like trolls called Yule Lads visit children on Christmas Eve.
- Pavillon de Noël
In Canada (Québec), families gather for a special Christmas Eve supper, often with tourtière pie.
- Nativity Plays
In many parts of the world, including the UK and US, children participate in nativity plays on Christmas Eve.
- Christmas Crackers
In the UK, Christmas crackers are popped open during Christmas Eve meals.
- Réveillon
In France and Belgium, families celebrate with a lavish late-night meal called Réveillon.
- Twelve Grapes
In Spain, it’s customary to eat 12 grapes at midnight on Christmas Eve for good luck.
- Lighting Luminaries
In Mexico, people light small paper lanterns, or luminaries, to illuminate streets and pathways.
- Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
In the US, many people host 'ugly Christmas sweater' parties on Christmas Eve.
- El Caganer
In Spain, a quirky tradition involves hiding a small pooping figure, El Caganer, in nativity scenes.
- Christmas Elf
In the US, the 'Elf on the Shelf' tradition involves moving a small elf doll on Christmas Eve.
- Placing Straw Under the Tablecloth
In Lithuania, straw is placed under the Christmas Eve tablecloth to symbolize the manger.
We hope you enjoyed discovering these wonderful Christmas Eve traditions from around the world.
No matter how you spend December 24th, we wish you a joyful and memorable celebration.
For more festive reads check out "Why Do We Eat Mince Pies at Christmas?" and "What Does Holly Represent at Christmas?".