Around the world, many cultures have traditions celebrated during the holidays. Recognizing the diverse cultures around the world can inspire each of us to try these new celebrations. As Christmas approaches, here are some of the many traditions that people celebrate during this festive holiday.

Sweden Celebrates St. Lucia’s Day

During the Christmas season, many people in Sweden celebrate St. Lucia’s Day, which commemorates a woman who is regarded as one of the first Christian martyrs. This occurs on December 13, her feast day. During this celebration, there are candlelit processions featuring girls who dress as St. Lucia, wearing white gowns and wreaths of candles on their heads. 

Greece Decorates Trees and Boats

In Greece, decorating Christmas trees and boats has been a tradition for many centuries. In 1833, King Otto was the first known to decorate a Christmas tree with a large boat nearby. This celebrated the men who returned from overseas. This tradition has long persisted, and today, many people in Greece decorate their Christmas trees alongside a decorated boat. 

Ethiopia’s Christmas Processions

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Ganna (Genna) on January 7th, which is their version of Christmas. They have a mass, similar to Christmas here, that starts with a candlelit procession. Something unique about this tradition is that they don’t usually give gifts; instead, they focus on church, games, and food. 

Australia Experiences Christmas on the Beach 

Since it’s summer weather in Australia during Christmas, they get to celebrate this holiday on the beach. Many people host barbecue parties on the beach during this holiday and play various games with one another. They celebrate Christmas in the same way as many people in the U.S., and it’s a very fun time for everyone in Australia.