10 Weirdest Holiday Traditions Around the World
Holidays bring people together, but they also showcase some pretty strange customs that vary wildly from one country to the next.
From odd characters delivering gifts to bizarre food practices, holiday traditions around the world range from quirky to downright strange.
Here are ten of the weirdest holiday traditions celebrated globally!
1. Krampus – Austria
In Austria, Christmas isn’t all about Santa and good cheer.
In fact, if kids have been naughty, they may encounter Krampus, a demonic creature who punishes misbehaving children.
This half-goat, half-demon figure appears in early December, roaming the streets to scare children into behaving.
Krampus parades, where locals dress as this terrifying figure, have become a popular tradition, blending fright with festivity.
2. Caga Tió – Catalonia, Spain
Catalonia has a unique Christmas tradition involving Caga Tió, or the “pooping log.”
Yes, you read that right. This festive log is decorated with a face, a red hat, and is “fed” treats throughout December.
Then, on Christmas Eve, children hit Caga Tió with sticks while singing songs, urging it to “poop” presents and candies. It’s strange, but in Catalonia, it’s a beloved tradition!
3. KFC Christmas Dinner – Japan
In Japan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday, but thanks to a successful marketing campaign, KFC has become the go-to meal for Christmas Day.
Families in Japan reserve their KFC meals months in advance, lining up on Christmas Eve to grab a bucket of fried chicken.
The tradition started 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 where people dress as a ghostly horse by draping a white sheet over a person carrying a horse skull.
This eerie figure roams from house to house, engaging in rhyming battles with residents.
If Mari Lwyd wins the battle, they are welcomed inside for food and drinks. It’s a strange but centuries-old tradition that adds a spooky twist to the festive season.
5. The Yule Lads – Iceland
Move over, Santa; in Iceland, kids look forward to the arrival of the Yule Lads.
These 13 mischievous brothers come down from the mountains during the 13 nights before Christmas, each bringing their unique personality and gifts (or pranks).
From Spoon Licker to Door Slammer, each Lad leaves small gifts for well-behaved kids, or, if they’ve been naughty, a potato in their shoe.
6. Shoe Tossing for Love – Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, single women celebrate Christmas by standing with their backs to their front doors and tossing a shoe over their shoulder.
If the shoe lands with the toe pointing toward the door, it means they’ll find love in the coming year.
This quirky tradition adds a romantic twist to the holidays and is a lighthearted ritual for singles hoping for some holiday magic.
7. Spider Web Decorations – Ukraine
In Ukraine, it’s customary to decorate Christmas trees with spider webs.
This tradition stems from a folk tale about a poor widow who couldn’t afford Christmas decorations, only for spiders to cover her tree with beautiful webs on Christmas morning.
Today, Ukrainians often place artificial spider webs or spider ornaments on their trees for good luck and to honor this charming tale.
8. Radish Carving Festival – Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23rd marks the Night of the Radishes, a holiday celebration where locals carve elaborate figures out of radishes.
These radish sculptures often depict nativity scenes, animals, or local legends and are displayed in the town square.
The tradition began in the 1800s and has evolved into a unique competition that draws crowds of spectators, adding a colorful twist to holiday festivities.
9. The Christmas Sauna – Finland
In Finland, where saunas are an integral part of life, families gather for a Christmas sauna on Christmas Eve.
This isn’t just any sauna visit—it’s seen as a sacred tradition that dates back centuries.
The sauna is believed to be home to spirits, and visiting it is thought to bring peace and warmth for the coming year.
Finns embrace the relaxing ritual as part of their holiday celebrations, enjoying a cozy way to connect with loved ones.
10. The Flying Witches – Norway
In Norway, Christmas Eve brings a peculiar tradition involving brooms. It’s believed that witches and evil spirits emerge on this night to cause trouble.
So, Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent witches from using them for a midnight flight!
The custom goes back to ancient folklore and is now a fun way to keep holiday spirits (and any unwanted spirits) at bay.
Conclusion, 10 Weirdest Holiday Traditions Around the World
From pooping logs to ghostly horses, these traditions remind us that holiday customs are as diverse as they are bizarre.
Exploring these unique practices adds a bit of magic and mystery to the holiday season, celebrating the world’s colorful and unexpected ways of coming together.
