12 Unique Christmas Traditions Celebrated Around the World

Many countries have unique end-of-year customs going back decades or even centuries. From Santa's evil counterpart in Central Europe to Christmas feasts of fried chicken in Japan, these quirky traditions prove Christmas celebrations come in all shapes and sizes. Some may seem strange, like Welsh winter festivities that often involve a horse's skull, while others might inspire you to travel to experience Christmas on the beach in Australia or witness Venice's canals taken over by gift-giving witches. Here are a dozen of the most unusual Christmas traditions from around the world.

Krampus, Central Europe

St. Nick’s devil-like counterpart, Krampus — celebrated throughout Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovenia, and Hungary — has one task: to punish bad children before the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. Picture a frightening half-goat demon figure, often seen with fur and horns. And instead of carrying a bag full of toys, he has a basket or sack for abducting especially naughty children and hauling them back to hell.

You can experience this holiday tradition at Krampusnacht parades and parties, during which rowdy revelers cavort around town in beastly costumes.

Mari Lwyd, Wales

In Wales, horses and Christmas go perfectly well together. In Welsh, Mari Lwyd translates to “Gray Mare” and involves carting a horse — either a horse figure (using a skull) or someone dressed as one — door to door, accompanied by a group of townspeople. While its exact origin is unknown and it's more of a winter pastime than a Christmas one, the tradition dates back hundreds of years.

It kicks off with traditional Welsh songs and a petition to enter the home for more music and merriment. The ritual can also include a rhyming contest between the troupe and the home’s residents — a satirical back-and-forth not unlike a modern-day rap battle.

Beach Parties, Australia

Evergreen trees and white, snowy landscapes may be some people’s idea of a perfect Christmas, but that's not the case in Australia, where December 25 falls in the middle of summer. On the bright side, the warm weather does make it the perfect time to throw a yuletide beach party. Santa sometimes even makes an appearance on the beach in Mooloolaba, Queensland, in a boat or via parasail, to hand out candy to all the kiddos.

Consoada, Portugal

A traditional holiday dinner typically held on Christmas Eve in Portugal, the Consoada honors deceased friends and relatives who can no longer join in on holiday celebrations. One normally leaves an empty spot at the table for the alminhas a penar, souls of the dead, who may be present at the feast. Sometimes, a candle or lamp is also lit overnight to help warm the souls of the dearly departed.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, Japan

For millions of people in Japan, a traditional holiday dinner means a bucket of KFC. While Christmas itself isn’t really a religious holiday since most people in the country do not identify as Christian, it’s still a fun secular celebration. The offbeat custom is the legacy of a 1974 marketing campaign wherein the fast-food chain touted fried chicken as a traditional American yuletide feast. Even today, in the weeks leading up to the holiday, Colonel Sanders statues outside KFC outposts all over Japan wear Santa gear, while the chicken itself is served in special holiday packaging.

Spiderweb Decorations, Ukraine

This tradition goes back to a folk tale in which spiders decorated the tree of a family that was too poor to pay for proper yuletide ornaments. When they woke up on Christmas morning, the webs that had been woven overnight turned silver and gold. Nowadays, Ukrainian Christmas trees feature spiderwebs made from various materials such as crystal, paper, metal, and plastic.

La Befana, Italy

Similar to Santa Claus, this Italian tradition stars an old witch named La Befana who flies around on her broomstick and brings good children treats (or coal for bad ones) on Epiphany Eve. The roots of this legend can be traced back to pre-Roman times, when similar mythical flying women were associated with the harvest, but became connected to the story of the three wise men visiting baby Jesus. The legend is celebrated on January 6 with events across the country, including the Regata delle Befane in Venice, a boat race featuring costumed gondoliers.

Yule Lads, Iceland

The Yule Lads are one of several Icelandic Christmas traditions rooted in folklore. During the 13 days leading up to Christmas, little ones put their shoes out each night, and in the morning, they'll find a small present from these 13 mountain trolls if they've been good — or a potato if they've been bad.

Another seasonal character, the Yule Cat, has been depicted as the Lads' pet since the last century. The legendary creature has been rumored to eat naughty, lazy children who don't receive new clothes for Christmas (a common reward for well-behaved kids who do their chores).

La Quema del Diablo, Guatemala

This ceremonial “burning of the devil” is a prelude to Christmas celebrations in Guatemala, a custom that dates back to the 16th century. On December 7, residents sweep up, collect garbage, and amass everything in a huge pile outside. After an effigy of the devil is placed on top, the whole thing is set on fire, burning negativity from the past away once and for all.

Single Women Tossing Shoes, Czechia

Unmarried women will toss a shoe over their shoulder on Christmas Day, while facing away from an open door, to predict whether or not their romantic prospects will change in the next year. If it lands with the toe pointing toward the door, the woman will marry; if not, she'll have to embrace single life for at least another year.

Night of the Radishes, Mexico

December 23 marks the Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca, Mexico, a celebration of oversized radishes, which are carved into intricate displays. The annual Christmas market event began in 1897 when vendors carved radishes with detailed designs to attract customers and a contest was held to honor the most creative figures. That tradition continues today.

The Gävle Goat, Sweden

Some say this tradition goes back to Swedish legends about Christmas elves riding the Yule Goat door-to-door to deliver presents, similar to Santa Claus. In 1966, the town of Gävle constructed an epic version of the Yule Goat — of wood, rope, and straw — to promote local tourism. To this day, the structure roughly the size of a three-story house goes up on the first Sunday of Advent each year. Strangely enough, there is also an unofficial tradition of Gävle citizens to destroy the goat, and despite ever-heightening security, it's frequently sabotaged. Locals will bet on whether or not it'll make it through the whole season.