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Just for fun · 7 min read · December 11, 2025

Christmas traditions you literally won't believe

Forget snowmen and Santa Claus! Discover the world's most bizarre and unexpected Christmas traditions, from Krampus and cobwebs to KFC.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

This guide explores some of the world's most unusual and fascinating Christmas traditions, from Austria's fearsome Krampus parades and Ukraine's shimmering spider-web trees to Japan's Christmas Eve KFC feast and Venezuela's roller-skate mass. Across Europe and beyond, it uncovers the folklore, legends and quirky customs behind everything from Finland's festive saunas and the Netherlands' shoe-by-the-fire ritual to Iceland's giant Yule Cat, South Africa's lucky Christmas caterpillars, and Sweden's beloved Donald Duck broadcast. Rounded off with New Zealand's iconic pohutukawa 'Christmas tree' it's a whirlwind look at how wildly different — and wonderfully creative — festive celebrations can be around the world.

Bad Santa | Austria

People wearing terrifying horned Krampus costumes with fangs and demonic masks during a traditional Alpine Krampus parade — eerie winter folklore celebration.

British kids are well acquainted with Father Christmas, Santa Claus or Saint Nick, but will find something a little more sinister lurking around Austria. That's because it's here that a ghoulish creature called 'Krampus', the evil accomplice of St Nicholas, is said to wander the streets in search of badly behaved children.

During the month of December, you can expect to see terrifying masked figures out and about scaring kids and adults alike with ghastly pranks. If this holiday tradition sounds like your kind of thing, be sure to check out the annual Krampus parade in Vienna.

A Cobweb Christmas | Ukraine

Delicate spider web coated in frost stretched between evergreen branches — intricate winter nature detail in a forest or garden setting.

One of Ukraine's favourite festive traditions is not one for those with a fear of creepy crawlies! Where we would have baubles, tinsel and stars, Ukrainians use decorations that mimic the natural formation of spider webs shimmering with dew.

The tradition goes back to a folktale about a poor widow who could not afford to decorate a tree for her children. Legend has it that spiders in the house took pity on the family, and spun beautiful webs all over the tree, which the children awoke to find on Christmas morning. Spider webs are also considered to be lucky in Ukrainian culture.

Colonel Santa | Japan

Japanese KFC Christmas meal with fried chicken, nuggets, and drumsticks arranged on plates next to a festive holiday box — seasonal fast food tradition in Japan.

Back in 1974, the American fast food restaurant KFC released a festive marketing campaign in Japan. The seemingly simple slogan 'Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!' (Kentucky for Christmas!) spawned a national tradition that still thrives to this day.

Although Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan, families from all over the country head to their local KFC for a special Christmas Eve meal.

Pickle in the tree | Germany

Glass pickle ornament hanging on a Christmas tree branch with white star decorations — traditional German Christmas pickle custom.

The Christmas tree tradition embraced around the world today is believed to have started in Germany back in the 16th century, so it comes as no surprise that our continental cousins still have some unique customs relating to the festive conifers. One of these is to hide a pickle somewhere within the branches of the tree, and give a gift to whichever child in the household finds it.

Some claim that the tradition may not be German after all. One legend says that the Christmas pickle originated in Spain, when two young boys were held as prisoners inside a pickle barrel. The heroic Saint Nicholas rescued the boys and brought them back to life. Either way, a pickle on the Christmas tree is a tradition we can totally get behind.

Roller skate mass | Venezuela

Santa Claus roller skating with a large red gift sack over his shoulder against a gray concrete wall — playful and modern holiday twist.

In the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, swathes of city-dwellers make their way to mass on roller skates every year on Christmas morning. The tradition is now so well established that many of the city's streets are closed to traffic from 8am, so that the skating congregation can get to church safely.

It's even said that children will sleep with one lace from their skates tied around their toe, the other skate dangling from the window so that their friends can wake them up with a friendly tug on the lace.

Festive sauna | Finland

Interior of a modern wooden sauna with bench seating, heated stones, window view, and sauna whisks — relaxing Nordic wellness environment.

Many homes in Finland come equipped with their own sauna, and at Christmas time this cosy spot becomes a sacred space associated with long dead ancestors. On Christmas Eve, it's customary to strip naked and take a long and respectful stint in the sauna, which is also believed to be home to the legendary sauna 'elf'.

After the sauna session, Finns head out to the evening celebrations – while spirits of those ancestors take their place in the bubbling water.

Shoes by the fire | Netherlands

Children's boot filled with carrots and a rolled-up scroll tied with a red ribbon — traditional Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas Day custom.

Every year in the days leading up to 25th December, Dutch children eagerly place their shoes by the fire in the hopes that Sinterklaas will fill them with small gifts and treats in the night. Traditionally, carrots are left in the shoes for Sinterklaas' faithful steed, a white horse named Amerigo.

In the olden days, naughty children would receive a potato in lieu of gifts, but potato punishment is no longer considered an appropriate scare tactic.

Belfana the Witch | Italy

Colorful handcrafted witch dolls with brooms and fabric clothing on display at a festive market — traditional La Befana decorations in Italy.

Forget Santa and 25th December when in Italy, as all the action takes place on the eve of 5th January.

According to folklore, an old woman named Belfana visits all the children of Italy to fill their stockings with candy and leave them presents if they've been good. Just like Father Christmas, Belfana enters through the chimney and is left treats by the children who live there – typically wine and local delicacies.

The Yule Cat | Iceland

Rocky shoreline at sunset with golden reflections on the water and a cat sitting on the rocks, highlighted by a soft glow — tranquil and scenic coastal moment.

One of the more unique festive traditions we've heard of comes from Iceland, where a giant cat is said to roam the snowy countryside at Christmas time. Traditionally, farmers would use the Yule Cat as an incentive for their workers – those who worked hard would receive a new set of clothes, but those who didn't would be devoured by the gigantic cat-like beast.

Today it is customary for everyone in Iceland to get new clothing for Christmas to avoid an unsavoury demise.

Fried caterpillars | South Africa

Wooden plate of crispy fried bamboo worms garnished with green herbs on a red plaid napkin — traditional edible insect snack in Southeast Asian cuisine.

When you think of Christmas food, mince pies and turkey are often high on the list. In South Africa, however, it's the creepy crawlies that local children look forward to.

Festive fried caterpillars may seem like one of the more unusual Christmas traditions, but these caterpillars aren't just the run-of-the-mill variety you find in the garden. The Pine Tree Emperor Moth, or Christmas caterpillar, is covered in very festive hues – giving all who swallow a little extra luck in the coming year.

Flying witches | Norway

Traditional stiff-bristle broom with a wooden handle resting on a rustic wooden floor — simple cleaning tool in a farmhouse or vintage setting.

According to Norwegian folklore, Christmas Eve is the day when mischievous spirits and witches take to the skies for mischief and general tomfoolery. As witches often use brooms as their preferred mode of transportation, it's tradition for Norwegian families to hide away any sweeping sticks where the witches won't be able to find them.

Donald Duck | Sweden

That video is a 1958 Christmas special called 'Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul' or 'Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas'. Every Christmas, families around Sweden gather around the television at 3pm sharp to watch Donald deliver his raspy message.

Everything on Christmas is planned around the television special, and more than 40% of Sweden's population still tune in like clockwork. The tradition dates back to the 1960s when televisions were a new commodity in Sweden and only two channels aired – one of which played Disney cartoons at Christmas. It may be a quirky tradition, but a whole nation coming together to watch Christmas cartoons together is about as festive as it gets.

Alternative Christmas tree

Pohutukawa tree with red blossoms growing along a coastal beach, shown with a close-up of its bright crimson flowers — iconic New Zealand Christmas tree.

Thought all Christmas trees were created equal? Think again. The Kiwis are all about the pohutukawa, a beautiful tree that is native to New Zealand with gnarled roots and bright crimson flowers.

The first mention of the phutukawa tree came from Austrian geologist Ferdinand von Hochstetter in 1867. He described locals decorating their churches and homes with the brightly coloured branches at Christmas.

Today, the pohutukawa tree is a recognised symbol of Christmas around New Zealand and is featured on Christmas cards, decorations, and even in the Christmas carols that children sing at school.


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