Holiday Traditions from Around the World, Festive Customs from Countries I’ve Visited

Lisa Shakespeare
Dec 9, 2025
4 min read

One of the best parts of travel is seeing how different cultures mark the same human moments: endings, new beginnings, family, food, and light. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to spend holidays across dozens of countries, and I’m always struck by how creative, joyful, and meaningful seasonal traditions can be. Below, I’ve pulled together holiday traditions for each country I’ve visited, short, sweet, and great for inspiration if you’re planning a cultural escape this season.

Caribbean & Nearby

Jamaica 🇯🇲: Grand Market (Dec 24): towns fill with vendors, music, and late‑night shopping; Christmas Day is family and food‑focused. (Personal note: I’ve spent Christmas here; the energy is unmatched.)
Cayman Islands 🇰🇾: Boxing Day family outings, beach gatherings, and local fairs.
Bahamas 🇧🇸: Junkanoo parades (Dec 26 and Jan 1) with costumes, drums, and street procession.
Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹: Big, musical family gatherings; island‑style Christmas food and late‑night celebrations.
Barbados 🇧🇧: Christmas features festive church services, rum‑based treats, and community meals (Crop Over is a separate summer festival).
Puerto Rico 🇵🇷: Parrandas (musical house‑to‑house surprises) and Nochebuena family feasts.
Dominican Republic 🇩🇴: Late‑night Christmas Eve meals, religious services, and vibrant street celebrations.
St. Lucia 🇱🇨: St. Lucia Day celebrations in December (Swedish & Christian blend) and island church services.
Curaçao 🇨🇼 & Aruba 🇦🇼: Local concerts, Dutch‑Caribbean Sinterklaas influences, and family feasts.
St. Kitts & Nevis 🇰🇳, Anguilla 🇦🇮, Sint Maarten 🇸🇽, Bonaire 🇧🇶, St. Croix 🇻🇮, Cayman Islands 🇰🇾, Antigua & Barbuda: Island traditions blend church services, festivals, fetes, and seaside family meals. Expect late‑night markets, live music, and community gatherings.

North America & Central America

United States 🇺🇸: A huge variety of regional holiday traditions (Thanksgiving, tree lightings, parades, and New Year’s celebrations).
Canada 🇨🇦: Winter markets, skating traditions, and cozy family feasts; regional Indigenous seasonal practices enrich many communities.
Mexico 🇲🇽: Las Posadas (processional reenactments) and Nochebuena feasts on Christmas Eve.
Belize 🇧🇿: Garifuna drumming and cultural events during the holidays, combined with family gatherings.
Panama 🇵🇦: Family gatherings, music, and holiday markets blending Spanish & Afro‑Caribbean flavors.
Costa Rica 🇨🇷: Family-centered Christmas traditions and fireworks on New Year’s.
Guatemala 🇬🇹: Posadas, nativity scenes, and special seasonal breads and sweets.

South America

Peru 🇵🇪: Nochebuena family dinners and regional Andean Catholic traditions.
Argentina 🇦🇷: Warm, late‑night Christmas celebrations with fireworks and big feasts; lively New Year’s fireworks.
Colombia 🇨🇴: Novena de Aguinaldos (nine days of prayers and gatherings before Christmas).
Brazil 🇧🇷: Véspera de Natal dinners and huge New Year’s Eve (Réveillon) celebrations, especially in Rio.

Europe

Spain 🇪🇸: Nochebuena (Christmas Eve dinner) and Three Kings Day (Epiphany) parades on Jan 6.
Portugal 🇵🇹: Consoada (Christmas Eve family meal) and bolo rei at Epiphany.
France 🇫🇷: Réveillon (Christmas Eve feasts) and regional bûche de Noël desserts.
Italy 🇮🇹: Feast of the Seven Fishes (Christmas Eve) and Epiphany traditions with Befana in some regions.
England / UK 🇬🇧: Boxing Day traditions, Christmas crackers, and cozy pub gatherings.
Germany 🇩🇪: Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets) with glühwein, ornaments, and seasonal treats.
Denmark 🇩🇰: Hygge‑focused Christmas dinners and family celebrations.
Sweden 🇸🇪: St. Lucia Day (Dec 13), saffron buns (lussekatter), and candlelit processions.
Croatia 🇭🇷, Montenegro 🇲🇪, Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦: Regional Advent observances, nativity displays, and local markets (Catholic, Orthodox, and local traditions vary).
Hungary 🇭🇺 & Romania 🇷🇴: Christmas markets, carols, and special holiday pastries.

Africa

Ghana 🇬🇭: “Detty December”: a season of parties, festivals, and family reunions; church services and big street markets. (Personal note: I’ve spent Christmas here — the energy and community are unforgettable.)
Nigeria 🇳🇬: Vibrant church services, family meals, music, and street celebrations.
South Africa 🇿🇦: Summer Christmas with braais (barbecues), beach days, and family time.
Ethiopia 🇪🇹: Genna (Christmas on Jan 7) and Timket (Epiphany) with processions and traditional dress.
Tanzania 🇹🇿: Coastal and island (Zanzibar) celebrations blend church services with beach gatherings and Swahili festive foods.
Rwanda 🇷🇼, Senegal 🇸🇳, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) 🇨🇮, Benin 🇧🇯, Togo 🇹🇬, Uganda 🇺🇬, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, Eswatini 🇸🇿, Zambia 🇿🇲, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, Kenya 🇰🇪: Across the continent, holiday practices blend Christian services, family feasts, local music, and community events. Many countries feature local festivals and market traditions during the season.
Seychelles 🇸🇨: Church services and beach gatherings with tropical holiday flavor.

Middle East & North Africa

Morocco 🇲🇦: Christmas is observed in tourist/expat communities with special menus and festive events (not a national public holiday).
Jordan 🇯🇴 & Egypt 🇪🇬: Coptic and Orthodox Christian communities observe Christmas on Jan 7 with church services and family meals.

Asia & Pacific

China 🇨🇳 / Hong Kong 🇭🇰: Christmas is increasingly commercial and festive in urban centers with lights and seasonal events.
Thailand 🇹🇭: Christian communities hold midnight Mass; cities host festive events for locals and tourists.
Indonesia 🇮🇩: Strong Christmas celebrations in Christian-majority regions; urban centers decorate and hold events.
United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪: Expat and tourist celebrations with decorated malls, hotels, and international-style festivities.

Tips for enjoying holiday traditions abroad

Check local calendars: religious and national holidays affect opening hours and transport.
Dress and participate respectfully: ask before photographing ceremonies; try local holiday foods.
Book early for high‑demand festivals and markets; consider off‑peak arrival days.
Learn a greeting or two in the local language; it goes a long way during seasonal gatherings.

Closing

Holidays are a brilliant time to travel if you want to see how cultures celebrate life’s big moments. Whether you’re chasing Christmas markets, New Year’s fireworks, or island‑time festivities, aim to participate with curiosity and respect. Want a bespoke holiday that lets you experience local traditions without the stress? I’d love to help you plan a culturally rich getaway.