While British Christmasses are by no means free from unusual traditions, there are other countries where things are a little odder, including a place where KFC is a key part of the big day
Forget decorating the tree and don’t even think about smooching under the mistletoe. While our Christmas traditions might seem a bit out-there to an outsider, the UK isn’t the only part of the world with some wonderfully different ideas about festive cheer.
Responsible travel expert, Sarah Faith, takes you through some of the most unusual Christmas traditions around the world – and shares how you can get involved, too…
Roller skate to morning mass, Venezuela
Venezuelans in the capital Caracas have a novel way to make sure you don’t miss the daily morning mass in Christmas week: They roller skate there. Roads are cleared and children go to bed with a piece of string tied round their toe that’s then dangled out of the nearest window. The rollerblading masses give it a tug as they pass to make sure kids are up and about for church.
How to do it: Christmas morning mass happens daily in Caracas between 16 and 24 December, with roads closed to traffic. While a Christmas visit sounds tempting, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Venezuela.
The Night of the Radishes, Oaxaca Mexico
Since one fateful radish-carving competition was held at a Christmas market in 1897, Oaxaca’s Zócalo square has been filled with everything from simple figurines to entire nativity scenes, immortalised for one night in radish glory. Families, amateurs and artisan radish-carvers come together to create their masterpieces, displaying them from 5pm on 23 December.
How to do it: Take a connecting flight (1h20mins) or bus (7hrs) to Oaxaca from Mexico City before exploring the city and its markets on foot. Alternatively, book a tailor-made tour of Mexico, timing your stay in Oaxaca for 23 December.
The Krampus, Austria
If you’re on Santa’s naughty list in Austria beware: the legendary Krampus – a half man, half goat demon – might also come down the chimney to carry you off. The Austrian Tyrol region is home to a whole host of Krampus parades. Xania Wear runs MoaAlm, a retreat in the mountain village of Kals am Grossglockner in the East Tyrol.
She explains how the Krampusnacht starts with St Nicholas visiting the village bars alongside a choir of angels before descending into anarchy. “Three huge grotesque figures, with glaring eyes and tongues lolled out of gaping angry mouths enter with untamed hair and huge cow bells and start pulling all the men out of the bar. The Krampus make a show of wrestling the Kals men to the ground while chasing the excited and partly terrified children through the village.”
The festivities include wrestling the ‘Krampus’ in a designated ‘pit’ and a liberal serving of Glühwein or Tirolean schnapps.
How to do it: Krampusnacht in Austria is usually on 5th or 6th December. Salzburg and Innsbruck host big events, or combine Krampusnacht festivities with a visit to Lienz’s Advent Market.
KFC, Japan
Christmas isn’t traditionally celebrated in Japan but that’s not stopped one of the world’s most surprising yuletide rituals. What started 40 years ago as a KFC ‘party bucket’ offered up for visitors missing home, has snowballed into a country-wide Christmas food ritual, with Japanese chicken-lovers pre-ordering their Christmas Day meal months in advance.
How to do it: Book your KFC early. You can do this online, just specify a branch and pick-up time. Remember, Christmas in Japan is marked on 24 December, not 25.
Catalonia’s seasonal poo log
Yes, you read that correctly. Caga Tió is a small log with a smiling face and jaunty red hat, that arrives in Catalan homes at the start of December and brings sweets. When children hit him with a stick on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – while singing a special Caga Tió song, of course – he ‘poos’ chocolate and treats under his blanket.
But, Catalonia’s obsession with Christmas defecation doesn’t end there, says Fiona Smart who runs Mas Pelegri, a boutique sports hotel near Girona. “The villages do living nativity scenes. You know like the shepherds, Mary and Joseph etc. But the funniest is a guy crouching doing a ‘Mr Whippy’ and there is a ‘Mr Whippy’ below him on the floor – he’s known as the Caganer.”
How to do it: You’ll find Caga Tiós and Caganer figurines for sale all over Barcelona and Catalonia in the run up to Christmas. Or, stop by the Pessebre Vivent (living nativity) performances in Fontcobert (25 and 26 December at 7pm) and Villavenut (22 Dec at 7pm and 23 December at 8pm).
Iceland’s Christmas book flood
Rationing existed in almost every sector of life for Icelanders during World War II, except in the book industry. So popular did books become as Christmas gifts that Icelandic publishers would release a flurry of new titles in the run up to the festive season. That phenomenon – jólabókaflóð or book flood – still happens today.
How to do it: Visit Mál og Menning, a large independent bookstore with English-language and international titles, set over three levels in the heart of Reykjavík. Once you’ve shopped, take a responsible organised tour to explore some of Iceland’s lesser-visited corners, so you’re not contributing to the country’s overtourism problem.
Christmas Eve sauna, Finland
Finnish families have enjoyed a ritual Christmas Eve sauna – or joulusauna – for centuries – usually after a traditional rice porridge lunch (whoever finds the almond will be lucky in love for the next year). Don’t rush – you’re here to cleanse your body and mind – but make sure you’re done and dusted before sunset as that’s when the traditional sauna gnomes (Saunatonttu), as well as elves and spirits of the dead come out to take their turn in the heat.
How to do it: Step into the sauna on a snowy Christmas holiday in Finnish Lapland. Alongside sauna time at your lodge, you’ll enjoy reindeer sleigh rides and chances to spot the Northern Lights
