12 Unique Christmas Traditions Celebrated Around the World

By: Andrea Romano | Pulished on 2023-12-07

Consoada, Portugal

A traditional holiday dinner typically held on Christmas Eve, Consoada honors deceased friends and relatives who can no longer join in on holiday celebrations. One normally leaves an empty spot at the table for the alminhas a penar (or "souls of the dead"), who may be present at the feast, according to Visit Portugal. Sometimes, a candle or lamp is also lit overnight to help warm the souls of the dearly departed.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, Japan

12 Unique Christmas Traditions Celebrated Around the World-Trip Advise

Traditional holiday dinner for millions of people in Japan means a bucket of KFC. While Christmas itself isn’t really a religious holiday since most people in the country do not identify as Christian, it’s still a fun secular celebration. The offbeat custom is the legacy of a 1974 marketing campaign wherein the fast-food chain touted fried chicken as a traditional American yuletide feast. Even today, in the weeks leading up to the holiday, Colonel Sanders statues outside KFC outposts all over Japan wear Santa gear, while the chicken itself is served in special holiday packaging.

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