Christmas Activities to Indulge in Around the World

We all have our favorite Christmas traditions, whether it's playing Pictionary after opening gifts or enjoying Ree Drummond's classic recipes. But, there are some fun holiday activities around the world that you may not know about.

In Switzerland, Advent calendars are a big deal. Kids fill a small window each day with an activity, such as playing a game or eating a treat.

Have a Fried Christmas Dinner in Tokyo

While a roast turkey may be the traditional meat of choice at Christmas dinners in Western countries, for many Japanese families, it’s fried chicken. Every year, around three-and-a-half million families in Japan have a bucket of KFC for their Christmas meal.

This strangely American tradition stems from a time when post-war Japan was in its rebuilding phase. Back then, the influence of Western culture was limited and America’s fast-food chains had yet to make their mark on the country.

So, in an effort to evoke the holiday spirit and promote the company, a manager at a local KFC came up with the idea of promoting Christmas buckets in 1974. His marketing savvy proved successful, and the tradition was born.

Other quirky, non-traditional Christmas traditions in Japan include the practice of hiding a pickle ornament on the tree, which the first person to find gets a bonus present or good luck for the new year. Iceland has a similar, and more practical, tradition called Farolito, where people walk down a street with a paper bag filled with radishes and other veggies in an attempt to bring good luck for the upcoming year.

Experience a true northern Christmas in Finland

As Finland’s landscape of snow and northern lights beckons you to explore its wild side, immerse yourself in the country’s rich Christmas traditions on this tour. You’ll travel from Rovaniemi to a forest farm to experience the real Finnish family Christmas, starting with feeding birds and baking cookies by the heat of the fireplace. Then, take part in decorating a Christmas tree and writing a letter to Santa!

The next day, you’ll learn to make traditional Christmas dishes for a festive dinner with your family. The highlight of the meal is joulukinkku, a ham cooked overnight, which is enjoyed with a glass of glogi, a mulled wine made with spices such as cloves and cinnamon.

Due to the deep darkness that crawls over the country during the winter, it’s also common for families to visit cemeteries on Christmas Eve to clean tombs and leave candles in hanging lanterns. The cemetery then glows as people pay their respects to loved ones who have passed on, a somber but beautiful tradition. This is followed by a warm Christmas sauna, the perfect way to wash away any remaining stress from the day.

Ring in the holidays in New York

From the Rockefeller Tree lighting and the Rockettes dazzling in Radio City Music Hall to FAO Schwarz's extravagant toy displays, New York is an absolute festive delight at Christmas. But don't just hit the glitzy sights; take a walking tour, sample a holiday cocktail or visit a small town that goes all out with decorations.

If you're looking for an unusual holiday activity in NYC, head to Dyker Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn known for its over-the-top decorating. Residents try to outdo each other with lights, inflatables and statues that are all on display from Thanksgiving until well after Christmas.

Ice skating is a must in NYC at Christmas time, and while the Rockefeller Center rink may be incredibly crowded, the Central Park Wollman Rink offers a similar experience. There's also a lovely line of trees on Park Avenue, lit up from the first Sunday evening of December until just after Christmas.

Revel in the magic of Christmas in Rome

The Eternal City is a winter wonderland at Christmastime, with twinkling lights and festive decorations adorning the top attractions. Many locals flock to the streets of Rome at this time for a shopping spree and taking in the festive ambiance with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the Italians traditionally gather at home for a feast that includes seafood like salmon and oily fish. Roast fillets of fish and a shellfish pasta are popular dishes. Other courses include tourtiere (minced meat pie), mashed potatoes, turkey with stuffing and coquilles Saint-Jacques (scallops in the shell). The meal is finished with buche de Noel and sucre a la creme (yule log cake and sweet tablet).

The Romans also love to enjoy themselves at the Christmas markets around the city. In particular, the Piazza Navona market opens the first week of December and runs until January 6. Another great option is the Christmas World event at Cinecitta World from November to January 2023. Visitors can go on ice skating, visit Santa's grotto and shop at artisan food stalls.

Participate in the 12 pubs of Christmas in Dublin

One of the best places to participate in the 12 pubs of Christmas is in Dublin. This is because the capital of Ireland is home to a wide range of great pubs where you can have a few drinks.

The 12 pubs of Christmas is a fun and festive tradition in which groups of friends or work colleagues visit 12 different pubs on the same night. This is usually done in the form of a pub crawl and can involve taking part in certain challenges in each bar. For example, participants might have to drink a specific beer in each pub or sing a carol in one of the bars.

Typically, there is no set list of rules for the 12 pubs of Christmas so it can vary wildly between groups. However, some tips that can help you survive the challenge include eating a meal before the event starts and pacing yourself when drinking. Having a plan of transport for when you finish is also a good idea. Also, a pint of water after every 3-4 pints can save you from a bad hangover.

Party the night away in Mexico

While certain aspects of Christmas tend to look the same across the globe, each country has their own unique twist on this festive season. From coastal parties in southern Mexico to a race for Santa in Helsinki, we’ve rounded up some fascinating global holiday traditions that you can introduce to your own family.

In Mexico, posadas (holiday parties) and villancicos are central to Christmas celebrations. During these festive parties, neighbors and friends gather for singing and pinata breaking, fostering community and solidarity. The nights are filled with music and food, like bacalao a la vizcaina (codfish in a spicy tomato sauce) and romeritos, while beverages like ponche, a spiced fruit punch, keep hearts warm.

The holidays in Mexico are also characterized by nativity scenes, known as nacimientos. These elaborate displays help bring the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem to life for families. The tradition is complemented by fireworks and delicious foods, like tamales and chiles en nogada. Then, on Christmas Eve, children receive visits from 13 mischievous Yule Lads.

Enjoy a sun-filled Christmas in Australia

While most countries around the world celebrate Christmas in winter, Australia enjoys a different seasonal experience. Due to their geographic location in the southern hemisphere, December-January brings with it hot weather and sunny days rather than snowy conditions.

Beach getaways and barbecues paint a distinct picture of Australian holiday traditions. On Christmas Day, families often gather outdoors for a warm meal that typically includes grilled seafood such as prawns and lobster and plenty of beer.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Aussies also take part in a unique caroling tradition. Instead of neighbors going door-to-door, they attend large events such as Carols by Candlelight in major cities like Sydney.

Incorporating a few of these world Christmas activities in your homeschool can help children learn about the many different holiday traditions practiced across the globe. For example, create a Russian-inspired hand-painted egg called a pysanky using bright colors and intricate designs or, for a simpler activity, have your kids make their own beach-themed snow globe out of a transparent jar filled with sand, seashells, and a mini beach umbrella.

Take part in the Krampus parade in Austria

Fairytale or nightmare, it’s all in good fun at the annual Krampus parade in Austria. This is where the devilish companion of St Nicholas parades the streets, scaring kids into submission so they’ll be good for Christmas. Naughty children receive a bundle of birch twigs, spray painted gold and known as “Ruten,” to keep in their house all year as a reminder of the evil they’ve suffered at the hands of Krampus.

Local men (and women) spend months creating their costumes and marching formations for this event. Visitors can choose to watch from the sidelines or participate by renting a Krampus mask and accessories. This is an expensive proposition, however, as you’ll also need a carved wooden mask with horns and devilish fangs, red contact lenses and shoes that look like hooves.

This is just one of many festive traditions around the world that offer a welcome departure from the saccharine sweetness that dominates most holiday festivities. Get creative this winter and teach the kids in your life about some of these unique customs from around the globe.