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• The Christmas holiday is celebrated all around the world, but the customs and traditions in each country are unique. To learn more about how Christmas is celebrated all over the world, check out the links on this page.

• Fast Facts

  1. Traditionally, Christmas Day is December 25
  2. In Russia they celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7
  3. Sweden begins Christmas celebrations on December 13 with St. Lucia's DayHow Stuff Works: Christmas in Sweden
  4. In the Philippines and Mexico, Christmas celebrations begin on December 16 when an early mass known as the "Rooster's Mass" is attended each morning until December 24Philippines Insider: Christmas in the Philippines Kaboose: Christmas in Mexico
  5. Christmas is a time for feasting, and in Japan, families often reserve a special dinner from Kentucky Fried ChickenTanuTech: Christmas in Japan
  6. In England Christmas bread, Christmas cake, mince pies, plum pudding and roast turkey are enjoyed during the Christmas dinner feast
  7. Rome brought Christmas to France in 496 A.D.California Mall: Holiday Traditions in France
  8. In Spain during the Christmas holiday people attend Hogueras (bonfires), which were once part of the winter solstice celebrations during pagan timesDon Quijote: The Fiestas of Spain
  9. Nativities are popular in many different countries
  10. The earliest Christmas was celebrated in Australia in 1788The North Pole: Christmas in Australia
  11. English colonists introduced Christianity and Christmas to India in the 1700sBuzzle: Christmas Traditions in India
  12. Australia celebrates Christmas in July with a traditional holiday feast, since actual Christmas in Australia takes place during the summer months
  13. In Switzerland there is a torchlit procession called the 'Klausjagen tha is led by men in long white shirts; St. Nicholas appears at the end of the processionSwiss Info: Advent and Christmas
  14. The Christmas of Light festival, or Natal Luz, is a major event in Brazil that begins in November

• Santa Claus Around the World

  The figure of Santa Claus is known in countries all over the world, and they each have a different name for him.

  • Morocco: Black Peter
  • The Netherlands: Sinter Klaas
  • Italy: Babbo Natale
  • Spain: Papa Noel
  • France: Pere Noel
  • Norway: Pa Norsk
  • Japan: Santa no ojisan
  • Russia: Grandfather Frost
  • Greece: Hagios Nikolaos
  • China: Shengdan LaorenLonestar: Santa FAQs

• The Christmas Witch

  In Russia, Italy and parts of Switzerland there is a Christmas witch who was said to have refused to assist the Three Wise Men on their quest to find the newborn Christ child. Later on, she regretted her decision and set out after them with a basket full of gifts. She never found the Christ child, and she is said to wander on Christmas Eve night giving gifts to well-behaved children. In Russia she is known as Babushka. In Italy and Switzerland they call her La Befana.Santa's Net: Russian Christmas Sask Schools: Christmas in Italy

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Christmas in England | Christmas in Mexico | Christmas in India | Christmas in Ireland | Christmas in France | Christmas in Sweden | Christmas in Iraq | Christmas in Russia | Christmas in Italy | Christmas in the Philippines | Christmas in Germany | Christmas in New York | Christmas in Las Vegas | Christmas in Australia | Santa Claus | Christmas | Christmas Markets in Germany | Christmas Markets in France | Christmas in China | Christmas in Japan | Christmas in Spain | Christmas in Brazil | Christmas in Switzerland

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