Around the world
Germany
Christmas markets fill town squares from late November, and the advent wreath and the decorated tree both trace back here.
United Kingdom
Crackers at the table, the King's Christmas message at 3pm, and Boxing Day on 26 December.
United States
Stockings by the fireplace, cookies and milk for Santa, and NORAD tracking his sleigh on Christmas Eve.
Mexico
Las Posadas runs from 16 to 24 December, re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, with piñatas at the end.
Philippines
Simbang Gabi, nine dawn masses from 16 December, and glowing star lanterns called parol.
Sweden
St Lucia Day on 13 December, when a girl in white with a crown of candles leads a procession.
Italy
La Befana, a kind old witch, brings gifts on the eve of Epiphany, 5 January.
Ethiopia
Ganna is celebrated on 7 January, with church services and a traditional hockey-like game.
Japan
Christmas Eve is a couples' night, and fried chicken with strawberry cake is a popular meal.
Pakistan
Churches are decorated with lights, families share sweets and biryani, and 25 December is also Quaid-e-Azam Day, a national holiday.
Australia
Christmas falls in summer, so lunch is often a barbecue or seafood at the beach.
Iceland
The 13 Yule Lads visit children on the 13 nights before Christmas, leaving gifts in shoes on the windowsill.
Start a tradition of your own
New family traditions can be simple: a Christmas Eve box with pyjamas and a film, a gingerbread house contest, or a walk to see the lights. Pick a film from the classic movies or a bake from the 24 recipes.
German Christmas traditions
Germany gave the world many of the Christmas traditions we now take for granted. The decorated Christmas tree, or Tannenbaum, became popular there in the 1500s. Christmas markets, or Weihnachtsmärkte, fill town squares from late November with mulled wine, gingerbread and wooden toys. The Advent wreath and the Advent calendar both began in Germany. On 6 December, children leave a boot outside the door for St Nicholas to fill, and the main celebration and gift-giving happen on Christmas Eve, Heiligabend.
Mexican Christmas traditions
In Mexico, Las Posadas runs from 16 to 24 December. Each night, groups walk through the neighbourhood re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, singing at doors until they are welcomed in for food and a star-shaped piñata. Poinsettias, called flor de Nochebuena, decorate homes. The main meal is on Christmas Eve, and many children receive gifts on 6 January, Día de Reyes, along with a ring-shaped bread called rosca de reyes.
Japanese Christmas traditions
Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, but it is widely celebrated in a uniquely Japanese way. Christmas Eve is a romantic night for couples, a little like Valentine's Day. A fried chicken dinner became a national habit after an advertising campaign in the 1970s, and dessert is a white sponge cake with strawberries and cream. Illuminations, or light displays, are a highlight of December in cities across the country.
Spanish, Polish and Italian traditions
Spain: the season starts with the huge El Gordo Christmas lottery on 22 December. Families gather for Nochebuena on Christmas Eve, eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve, and give the main gifts on 6 January, when the Three Kings arrive. In Catalonia, children "feed" a smiling log called the Caga Tió, which then delivers sweets.
Poland: Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper, starts when the first star appears. It traditionally has twelve meatless dishes, begins with sharing a thin wafer called opłatek, and includes an empty place for an unexpected guest.
Italy: nativity scenes, or presepi, are the centre of decoration, especially in Naples. Many Italian-American families serve the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, and La Befana, a kindly witch, brings gifts on the eve of Epiphany.
Australian Christmas traditions
In Australia, Christmas falls in high summer. Lunch is often a barbecue, seafood or a cold spread, eaten outside or at the beach, followed by cricket on Boxing Day. Carols by Candlelight concerts are held in parks across the country in the week before Christmas.
Christmas in Pakistan
Pakistan's Christian communities, many in Punjab and Karachi, celebrate with church services, carol singing, decorated homes and neighbourhood lights. Families share sweets, biryani and other festive food, and visit friends across communities. 25 December is also Quaid-e-Azam Day, the birthday of the country's founder, so it is a national holiday for everyone.
Christmas Eve traditions
In much of the world, Christmas Eve is the high point. Read about Wigilia, Nochebuena, Iceland's book flood and more on the Christmas Eve countdown. For dates such as St Nicholas Day, St Lucia Day and Epiphany, see Christmas key dates 2026, and test what you have learned with the Christmas trivia quiz.
Questions people ask
Quick answers about this countdown.
What are the most common Christmas traditions?
Decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, a special family meal, carols, and church services on Christmas Eve or Day.
Which country started the Christmas tree tradition?
Germany, in the 1500s.
Do they celebrate Christmas in Japan?
Yes, though it is not a public holiday. Christmas Eve is a couples' night, with fried chicken and strawberry cake.
When do Spanish children get Christmas gifts?
Many receive their main gifts on 6 January, Three Kings' Day.
Is Christmas a holiday in Pakistan?
Yes. 25 December is a public holiday, as it is also Quaid-e-Azam Day.
Keep exploring
More countdowns, tools and Christmas reading on Christmas Days Left.