10 Weirdest Holiday Traditions Around the World
Holidays are uniting—until they’re not, revealing some truly weird customs that differ widely from country to country.
From strange figures bearing presents to unusual culinary customs, seasonal traditions across the globe can be quirky — and even downright bizarre.
Here’s 10 of the strangest holiday traditions around the world.
1. Krampus – Austria
Christmas in Austria isn’t all Santa Claus and good cheer.
Indeed, for the naughty kids, they might run into Krampus, a demonic beast who brings bad children to justice.
An ominous half-goat, half-demon figure, he wanders the streets in early December to scare misbehaving children straight.
Locals dress as the terrifying figure at Krampus parades, a popular tradition, blending fright with festivity.
2. Caga Tió – Catalonia, Spain
Caga Tió, or the “pooping log,” is a Christmas tradition in Catalonia.
Yes, you read that right. The “log” is adorned with a face, a red hat, and is “fed” treats throughout December.
On Christmas Eve, children then hit Caga Tió with sticks, singing songs that encourage it to “poop” presents and candies. It’s odd, but in Catalonia, it’s a beloved tradition!
3. KFC Christmas Dinner – Japan
While Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday in Japan, a successful marketing campaign made KFC the meal of choice on Christmas Day.
In Japan, families book their KFC meals months in advance, queuing up on Christmas Eve to pick up a bucket of fried chicken.
It began in the 1970s with the “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign and has since become a nationwide phenomenon.
4. Mari Lwyd – Wales
In Wales, Mari Lwyd is a quirky holiday tradition whereby people dress as a ghostly horse by donning a white sheet over a person holding a horse skull.
This spooky character visits from home to home, challenging them to rhyming duels.
If Mari Lwyd prevails in the battle, inside they will be welcomed with food and drinks. It’s an odd yet centuries-old custom that adds a spooky twist to the festive season.
5. The Yule Lads – Iceland
Forget Santa; in Iceland, children await visits from the Yule Lads.
The 13 brothers play pranks as they descend from the mountains in the 13 nights leading up to Christmas — each brother with his own distinct name and personality.
From Spoon Licker to Door Slammer, each Lad leaves little presents for any well-behaved child and a potato in the shoe of a naughty one.
6. Czech Republic — Shoe Tossing for Love
In the Czech Republic, single women celebrate Christmas by standing with their backs against their front doors and throwing a shoe over their shoulders.
If the shoe happens to land with the toe pointing toward the door, it signifies that they will be finding love in the coming year.
This unusual custom offers a little romance for the holidays, one that is a cheeky ritual for singletons looking for a little Christmas magic.
7. Spider Web Decorations — Ukraine
In Ukraine, spider webs are a common tree decoration at Christmas.
This comes from a folk tale about a poor widow who couldn’t afford Christmas decorations, until spiders decorated her tree with lovely webs on Christmas morning.
Today, Ukrainians sometimes adorn their trees with artificial spider webs or spider ornaments to bring good fortune and pay homage to this whimsical story.
8. Radish Carving Festival – Mexico
December 23rd marks the Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca, Mexico — a holiday where local residents carve intricate figures from radishes.
Nativity scenes, animals, and local legends are portrayed in these radish sculptures and are exhibited in the town square.
Dating back to the 1800s, the tradition has grown into a unique competition that attracts throngs of spectators, adding a colorful flare to holiday celebrations.
9. The Christmas Sauna – Finland
In sauna-loving Finland, families take a Christmas sauna together on Christmas Eve.
This is not simply any sauna-going experience — it is considered a sacred tradition that goes back centuries.
The sauna is believed to be full of spirits, and a visit is said to provide peace and warmth in the year ahead.
The relaxing ritual is a part of holiday celebration for Finns, a warm way to connect with loved ones.
10. The Flying Witches – Norway
In Norway, Christmas Eve is a blessedly strange affair involving brooms. This is believed to be the night that witches and evil spirits come out to play tricks.
So Norwegians hide their brooms so witches cannot take a midnight flight!
The tradition dates back to ancient folklore and has since turned into a fun way to fend off holiday spirits (and any unwanted spirits).
Conclusion The 10 Weirdest Holiday Traditions Around the World
From shitting logs to poltergeist ponies, these traditions remind us that holiday rituals run the gamut from the strange to the bizarre.
These alternative holiday practices bring magic and mystery to the season, celebrating the world’s colorful and quirky ways to come together.
