Holiday Traditions
Fun festivities from around the world by
he holiday season is arguably the most wonderful time of the year. The world seems to take on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even the winter chill somehow feels cozier. While Christmas is the most popular celebration in America, over 160 countries honor the season with a celebration of sorts. Whether religious celebrations, such as Hanukkah or Christmas, or cheeky like Festivus, many people have their own selection of traditions that make the season special. Learn more about some of the more unexpected traditions from around the world.
THE PHILIPPINES - Giant Lantern Festival
Traditionally called Ligligan Parul Sampernandu, The Giant Lantern Festival is held each year on the Saturday before
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Christmas Eve. This annual tradition is a competition organized around building colorful, ornate lanterns or parols. Originally the lanterns were simple creations, but over the years they have become larger, more elaborate and innovative. Today the kaleidoscope lanterns illuminated by electric bulbs can reach close to 20 feet.
SWEDEN - The Yule Goat
In Sweden, the Gävle Goat or Yule Goat has been built in the center of Gävle’s Castle Square since 1966. Every year, on Dec. 1, the three-ton, 42-foot tall straw goat is built in the same spot. But this Swedish Christmas tradition has unwittingly led to another tradition of sorts – people trying to burn it down. Since 1966 the goat has been successfully burned down 29 times. If you want to see how the Gävle Goat fares this year you can follow its progress through livestream online at www.visitgavle.se/en/gavle-goat.
AUSTRIA - Krampus
A more sinister holiday tradition takes place in Austria. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with presents, his dark accomplice, Krampus, is said to whisk away naughty children in his sack. Krampus is described as half-man, half-goat and young men dress up during the first week of December to frighten children with clattering chains and bells.
JAPAN - KFC Christmas Dinner
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Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Japan, but families still have a tradition centered around a white-bearded man. While Santa may not be working his way into Japanese hearts, Colonel Sanders is. Yes, you read that right. This quirky tradition began in the 1970s as an alternative to a turkey dinner for westerners who were missing their traditional meal. Since then, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate the holiday with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.
ICELAND - The Yule Lads
Similar to America’s 12 days of Christmas, Iceland celebrates 13 days of Yule. For each night of Yuletide, children will place their best shoes by the window before heading to bed. They expect a different Yule Lad or Jólasveinarnir to visit each night with gifts for good girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. And you thought coal was a terrible gift!
