Christmas Around the World: The Ultimate 2026–2027 Holiday Traditions Calendar

Why celebrate Christmas just one day when festive traditions stretch across months—and around the globe? From lantern processions in Germany to Iceland’s thirteen Yule Lads and Three Kings’ Day in Spain, here is your family-friendly guide to the 2026–2027 season.

At Holiday Fun, we love learning how different families make the season meaningful. This calendar includes Christian observances, regional folklore, secular celebrations and a few neighboring holidays. They are not all Christmas holidays, and customs vary within every country.

November: Anticipation

• November 11 — St. Martin’s Day (Germany)

  Children carry lanterns in evening processions, celebrating generosity and the story of Martin sharing his cloak.

• Mid-November — Sinterklaas arrives (Netherlands)

  The arrival celebration varies each year; many communities welcome Sinterklaas with festive processions.

• November 22 — Stir-up Sunday (United Kingdom)

  Traditionally associated with stirring Christmas pudding; in 2026 the Sunday before Advent is November 22.

• November 29 — First Sunday of Advent (Christian communities worldwide)

  The four Sundays before Christmas begin; many families light the first candle on an Advent wreath.

December: Lights, legends and family traditions

• December 1 — Advent calendars (Germany)

  Open the first window and count down toward Christmas.

• December 4 — St. Barbara’s Day (Germany and Austria)

  Bring cut cherry or other flowering branches indoors and hope for Christmas blossoms.

• December 5 — Sinterklaasavond (Netherlands)

  An evening of poems, gifts and festive sweets.

• December 5 — Krampusnacht (Alpine Europe)

  Costumed Krampus figures appear in local folklore celebrations and parades.

• December 6 — St. Nicholas Day (Central Europe)

  Children traditionally leave out cleaned shoes or boots for treats.

• December 7 — Día de las Velitas (Colombia)

  Candles and lanterns light homes and neighborhoods on the eve of the Immaculate Conception.

• December 8 — Tió de Nadal (Catalonia, Spain)

  Some families begin feeding the cheerful Christmas log ahead of Christmas Eve.

• December 12–24 — The 13 Yule Lads (Iceland)

  One folkloric visitor arrives each day, beginning December 12; children put shoes near windows.

• December 12 — Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico)

  A major Catholic feast with pilgrimages, services and community celebrations; not a Christmas gift-giving custom.

• December 13 — St. Lucia Day (Sweden)

  Candlelit processions, white robes, songs and saffron buns mark a beloved winter custom.

• December 13 — Santa Lucia (Parts of Italy)

  In some towns, Saint Lucy is associated with children’s presents.

• December 16–24 — Las Posadas (Mexico)

  Nine evenings commemorate Mary and Joseph seeking shelter, often with singing and community gatherings.

• December 16–24 — Simbang Gabi (Philippines)

  A nine-day Catholic tradition of Masses before Christmas, often accompanied by holiday foods.

• December 16–24 — Novena de Aguinaldos (Colombia)

  Family and friends gather for novena prayers, songs and traditional food.

• December 21 — Winter solstice (Northern Hemisphere)

  The shortest day is an opportunity to explore winter light traditions, distinct from Christmas itself.

• December 23 — Little Christmas Eve (Norway)

  A cozy day of decorating and finishing holiday preparations.

• December 24 — Declaration of Christmas Peace (Finland)

  Turku’s historic proclamation marks Christmas Eve.

• December 24 — Wigilia (Poland)

  A Christmas Eve supper and sharing of opłatek wafers; many begin after seeing the first star.

• December 24 — Réveillon (France)

  Families gather for a festive late-night Christmas meal.

• December 24 — Juleaften (Denmark)

  Many families share gifts and sing or dance around the Christmas tree.

• December 24 — Nochebuena (Spain and Latin America)

  Family Christmas Eve celebrations and special meals take center stage.

• December 25 — Christmas Day (Worldwide)

  Celebrations vary widely across cultures, churches and families.

• December 25 — Christmas fried chicken (Japan)

  A modern, commercially popular holiday meal tradition.

• December 25 — Summer Christmas (Australia)

  Many families celebrate with sunny weather, outdoor food and beaches.

• December 26 — Boxing Day (UK and Commonwealth)

  Traditions include family visits, giving, sports and sales.

• December 26 — St. Stephen’s Day / Wren Day (Ireland)

  Some communities mark the day with traditional music and costumed festivities.

• December 26–January 1 — Kwanzaa (United States)

  A separate African American cultural celebration centered on seven principles; not a Christmas tradition.

January and February: The season continues

• December 26 and January 1 — Junkanoo (Bahamas)

  Vibrant parades and music, separate from Christmas worship.

• December 28 — Día de los Santos Inocentes (Spain)

  A religious observance also associated with playful practical jokes.

• December 31 — Hogmanay (Scotland)

  New Year’s festivities include first-footing customs and gatherings.

• January 1 — St. Basil’s Day (Greece)

  A lucky coin may be hidden in a vasilopita cake.

• January 5 — Three Kings’ Eve (Spain)

  Communities celebrate with elaborate evening parades.

• January 5–6 — La Befana (Italy)

  A friendly folkloric visitor brings treats around Epiphany.

• January 6 — Three Kings’ Day (Spain, Mexico and elsewhere)

  Families enjoy special ring-shaped cakes and, in many places, gifts.

• January 6 — Armenian Christmas (Armenian Apostolic communities)

  Christmas and Theophany are celebrated together.

• January 7 — Genna (Ethiopia)

  Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas with church services and family celebrations.

• January 7 — Julian-calendar Christmas (Some Orthodox communities)

  Churches observing December 25 on the Julian calendar celebrate on January 7 Gregorian.

• January 13 — Tjugondag Knut (Sweden)

  Traditional end of the Christmas season and farewell to the Christmas tree.

• January 19 — Timkat (Ethiopia)

  An Orthodox celebration of Epiphany commemorating Jesus’ baptism.

• February 2 — Candlemas / La Chandeleur (France and other Christian communities)

  Religious observance associated with crêpes in France; in some traditions closes an extended festive season.

Make it your own

Choose just a few traditions to explore as a family. Try a lantern craft for St. Martin’s Day, put out shoes for St. Nicholas, bake saffron buns for Lucia, or discover the stories behind Three Kings’ Day. Participation should be thoughtful: learn where a tradition comes from, credit its community and respect its religious meaning.

Dates worth checking

Some observances follow changing church calendars, regional practices or ceremonial schedules. In 2026 Advent begins November 29; Stir-up Sunday is November 22. The Yule Lads begin arriving December 12. Our list covers the season from October 22, 2026 through February 2, 2027; always verify local event dates and times before attending.

Holiday Fun celebrates the joy of making holiday memories—one tradition at a time.