At TranslationsInLondon, we are always fascinated by the traditions and customs of cultures and languages beyond our own.
As the festive season approaches, with its cheer and the chilly evenings of Noël, we’ve been exploring some of the more surprising and unique Christmas traditions from around the world. We hope to inspire a bit of festive spirit while sharing some intriguing cultural insights!
Krampus
One of the most iconic Christmas traditions from Central Europe involves Krampus, celebrated in countries like Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, to name just a few. This eerie figure has even found its way into modern pop culture, inspiring a 2015 American comedy-horror film and various TV portrayals.
Krampus, a horned, half-demon, half-goat figure, serves as Saint Nicholas’s dark counterpart. While St. Nick rewards well-behaved children, Krampus punishes those who have been naughty. Similarly, in many German-speaking communities, tales abound of Belsnickel, another companion of St. Nicholas. Unlike Krampus, Belsnickel appears as a man dressed in furs with a frightening mask and long tongue. His role is to visit misbehaving children, bringing coal and punishment. In France, a similar figure known as Père Fouettard (“Father Whipper”) performs a comparable task, wielding a whip to discipline naughty kids.
The Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken)
The Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken)
The Gävle Goat is a towering Christmas display erected annually in Gävle, Sweden. Modeled after the traditional Swedish Yule Goat, this giant figure is constructed from straw and has gained global fame—not only for its festive appearance but also for its notorious history of being repeatedly destroyed, often by arson, during December.
First built (and burnt down) in 1966, the Gävle Goat has since been attacked 37 times, leaving only 13 years where it survived intact—a track record that has both amused and dismayed spectators.
Here are three particularly memorable incidents:
- 2001: A tourist from Cleveland, Ohio, was arrested after setting the goat on fire. Believing the act was a legitimate Christmas tradition, he was shocked to learn otherwise. He served 18 days in prison and paid a fine of 100,000 SEK (approximately €9,800).
- 2005: Two unidentified vandals, dressed as Santa Claus and a gingerbread man, used a flaming arrow to ignite the goat in a bold (and bizarre) attack.
- 2009: Hackers disabled the webcam feed monitoring the goat, allowing vandals to strike undetected, reducing the beloved display to ashes once more.
If you’re curious to witness the goat’s fate yourself, you can watch it live every Christmas season through a livestream provided here.
Kalle Anka: Sweden’s Beloved Christmas Tradition
Since 1959, Sweden has embraced another unique holiday custom: gathering as a family on December 23rd at 3 PM to watch Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (“Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas”). This hour-long program features a selection of Disney classics from the 1930s to the 1960s and draws an audience of nearly 50% of the Swedish population each year. It’s a tradition so deeply ingrained that nearly every Swede can recount their favorite moments from Kalle Anka’s Christmas antics.
The KFC Christmas Meal
In Japan, thanks to the iconic “Kurisumasuni wa Kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) marketing campaign from 1974, a unique tradition has taken root: enjoying a bucket of KFC’s Christmas chicken.
Though Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan—only about 2.5% of the population identifies as Christian—an estimated 5 million Japanese indulge in this festive feast annually. The demand is so high that hour-long queues form on Christmas Eve, and many pre-order their meals weeks or even months in advance to guarantee their delivery. It’s the simple, “American” charm of the tradition, rather than any religious connection, that has made it a beloved holiday ritual.
For those looking to celebrate in style, KFC offers a premium Christmas package that includes fried chicken, cake, and even champagne for about $40—a perfect way to make your Christmas meal feel extra special.
What’s Your Christmas Tradition?
From fried chicken in Japan to festive goats in Sweden, the holiday season is celebrated in wonderfully unique ways across the globe. At TranslationsInLondon, we’re committed to exploring more fascinating cultural traditions in upcoming posts, so stay tuned for more!
Season’s Greetings from all of us at TranslationsInLondon! May your festive season be filled with joy, discovery, and delightful traditions of your own. 🎄✨
4o