Christmas around the world
Same feast, different customs. A short tour, every stop sourced.
Mexico: Las Posadas
Las Posadas is celebrated from 16 to 24 December in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. It remembers Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Las Posadas
In many places a nightly procession, often led by a child dressed as an angel, visits homes asking for lodging, with songs. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Las Posadas At the end, children break open piñatas filled with sweets and toys. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Las Posadas
Italy: Befana
In Italy, Befana is an old woman who fills children’s stockings with presents at Epiphany, 6 January. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Befana Befana rides or carries a broom. Naughty children may get a lump of coal or a piece of straw from it. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Befana
Brazil and Australia: a summer Christmas
In Brazil, Christmas is a great summer festival, with picnics and fireworks. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas
In Australia, where Christmas dinner is often eaten on the beach, Santa wears red swimming trunks as well as his white beard. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas
India
In some parts of India, a mango or bamboo tree takes the place of the evergreen, and houses are decorated with mango leaves and paper stars. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas
When are presents opened?
In most European and Latin American countries, presents are swapped on Christmas Eve. In North America, Christmas morning is the time. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas
His feast day is 6 December in the Western churches and 19 December in the Eastern churches. In many countries children get presents on 6 December, St Nicholas Day. Encyclopaedia Britannica: St Nicholas
Different dates
Eastern Orthodox churches that still use the old Julian calendar keep Christmas on the day that is 7 January in our calendar. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas The Armenian Apostolic Church keeps Christmas on 6 January, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on 7 January. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Christmas
Scotland: Hogmanay
Singing “Auld Lang Syne” at New Year, now a worldwide custom, began at Hogmanay in Scotland. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Hogmanay Hogmanay “first footing” says the first visitor after midnight brings luck, especially a tall, dark-haired man carrying a gift such as coal or salt. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Hogmanay