The majority of holiday celebrations around the world are rooted in cultural traditions that are thousands of years old. Whether the origin is cultural or the product of a recent corporate marketing campaign, they all entail bringing families together to celebrate the season. Here are some examples that you might want to experience for yourself.
The Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines
This Giant Lantern Festival tradition started in 1904 and since then the annual event is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. Taking place in San Fernando City, Pampanga, Philippines, it attracts spectators from across the globe. The festival features a fierce competition of originally designed giant lanterns. Initially, the lanterns were one meter tall, made of Japanese origami paper, and lit by candles. Today, the lanterns are made from different materials, are around six meters, and are illuminated by electric bulbs forming many different and unique patterns. Because of the popularity of the festival, the city has been nicknamed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.”
Kentucky Fried Christmas Dinner, Japan
Apart from a few small, secular traditions, such as gift-giving and light displays, Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan and remains largely a novelty. Nevertheless, it is still a festive occasion, and many host Christmas parties or decorate their homes, offices, and stores for the holidays. A quirky “tradition,” inspired by the Western Christmas tradition of a turkey dinner, started in 1974. As turkey is virtually impossible to be found in Japan, the foreign Christian population instead settled on the familiar Kentucky Fried Chicken brand. As a result, the slogan ‘kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii‘ or ‘Kentucky for Christmas!’ was born.
Ever since the American fast-food chain in Japan has celebrated its busiest time of year around the December holiday for 42 years and counting. For this Christmas, the festive menu will soon be advertised on the KFC Japan website. Stay tuned!
Day of the Little Candles, Colombia
The Day of the little Candles (Día de las Velitas) is a sweet Colombian Christmas tradition that marks the start of the Christmas season across Colombia. It is one of the most observed traditional holidays in Colombia. It is celebrated on December 7, on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, which is a public holiday in Colombia. In honor of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles and paper lanterns in their windows, balconies and front yards. This tradition of candles has grown and now entire towns and cities across the country are lit up with elaborate displays. Some of the best are found in Quimbaya, where neighborhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.
The lighting of the Menorah in Washington, D.C.
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated with much jubilance across the United States with one of the most elaborate events taking place on a national stage. Jewish families and friends across the world come together to engage in the lighting of the menorah. This special tradition started more than 2,000 years ago during the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which followed a trying period when Jews were persecuted for practicing their faith.
Since 1979, a giant 30-foot Menorah has been raised on the White House grounds for the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. The lighting of the first candle takes place at 4 pm, rain or shine, and an additional candle is lit each successive night. It is a celebration of freedom, inspired by the historic and present victory of right over might, light over darkness, and understanding and justice over intolerance and bigotry.
This year the lighting ceremony will take place on December 22 at 4 pm. The free ceremony in Washington, D.C. is marked with speeches, music, activities for kids, and the lighting of the Menorah.
Gävle GOAT Sweden
Gävle is a town two hours north of Stockholm, Sweden. Every year since 1966, a three-ton, 43 foot-tall Yule Goat is built in the center of Gävle’s Castle square. The idea was to design a giant version of the traditional Swedish Christmas straw goat with the objective of attracting customers to the shops and restaurants in the southern part of the city. The event takes place every year on the first day of Advent, which according to Western Christian tradition is in late November or early December, depending on the calendar year. This Swedish Christmas tradition has accidentally led to another “tradition” of sorts – people trying to burn it down. In 1966, the Goat was burnt down for the very first time and the perpetrator was convicted of vandalism. Since then, the goat has been successfully burned down 29 times.
Saint Nicholas’ Day, Germany
Saint Nicholas, “Nickolas” or “Nikolaus,” is celebrated on December 6 in Germany. Nicholas was born into a wealthy family and at an early age decided to become a monk, and later a priest. When his parents died, he chose to give his inheritance away to the needy. He was known for his kindness, especially to children. Not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas), St Nicholas travels by donkey on the night of December 6 leaving little treats and toys in the shoes of good children all over Germany, and particularly in the Bavarian region.
St. Nicholas also visits children in schools, or at home. In exchange for sweets or a small present, each child must recite a poem, sing a song or draw a picture. Differently from Santa Claus, St. Nicholas often brings along Knecht Ruprecht (Farmhand Rupert), a devil-like character dressed in dark clothes covered with bells and a dirty beard. Knecht Ruprecht carries a stick or a small whip in hand to punish any children who misbehave.
The tradition of The Three Kings
Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6 to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. According to the tradition, the Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings, arrived in Bethlehem from the Far East to meet Jesus, the newborn King of the Jews.
Today, children in many countries anticipate receiving their presents on the eve of January 6. In Italy, children put stockings up by the fireplace for “Befana” (believed to be an old lady) to fill. In Austria, people write with chalk, a special sign on the front door to get the house protected for the year. In Belgium, children dress up as the wise men and go from door to door to sing songs in exchange for sweets and money. In Ireland, women get the day off and men do the housework and cooking! In Portugal, children participate in carol singing known as the “Janeiras.”
In Spain, families go to the local bakeries to buy a special cake/pastry called “Roscón.” They are normally filled with cream, chocolate or even sometimes marzipan and decorated with a paper crown. Inside the cake there is normally a figure of a king and a dried bean. If you find the king, then you can wear the crown. If you find the bean, then you have to pay for the cake! Similarly, in France you might eat a “Galette des Rois,” and in Mexico eat the “Rosca de Reyes.”
Wherever you are in the world, the holidays are celebrated in various ways and following different traditions. The one thing they have in common is that they are about spending time with each other and celebrating a season of joy, hope, and giving. No matter how you to choose to celebrate this season, enjoy the time with your family and friends.