European Christmas
Celebrations and Traditions

Celebrating Christmas in 7 European Countries

Holiday customs in nearly every European country include gatherings for meals and observation of religious traditions as early as November, and as late as January. However, European Christmas traditions vary greatly from country to country. While you'll find Santa Clause in many countries, there are also witches, gnomes, and even goats that deliver gifts. And, while Christmas markets may be a newer concept for many Americans, the tradition goes back centuries in Europe, where countries including Germany, France, Austria, and Italy have perfected the art of holiday celebrations.

Christmas Celebrations in Greece

Due to Greece’s Christian Orthodox roots, Christmas is an important and religious holiday in Greece. That is why it is customary for those of faith to go to church on Christmas morning. Most towns are decorated with bright lights, bells, angels, and the like. You’ll also see boats decorated with many lights because Saint Nicolas is considered a protector of sailors. 

Christmas time in Greece is a time for feasting. Traditionally, the main course is roast pork, with a variety of side dishes. Recently roast turkey has also become a popular main dish. On Christmas Eve many Greeks make Christopsomo, a bread with a cross carved into the top of the crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the family makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it, and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

The holiday season doesn’t wind down until well after the New Year begins. The icing on the cake is the feast day of Theophany. All around Greece waters are blessed and a cross is thrown into the waters. Brave Greeks dive into the freezing water to retrieve the cross for good luck.

Christmas Celebrations in Norway

Children receive gifts from Jul Nisse, a present-delivering gnome—if they remember to offer porridge to Julebukk, Jul Nisse's goat who taunts those who forget his favorite snack. Christmas Eve includes a large meal. As thanks for England's assistance during WWII, Norway presents a giant tree to England yearly, which is proudly displayed in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Christmas Celebrations in Sweden

December 13th marks the start of Christmas with St. Lucia Day. On December 23rd, children offer Tomten (Father Christmas) porridge in hopes of receiving gifts. The Christmas Eve meal, “Julbord,” is a lunchtime buffet of regional cold fish, “Julskina,” (Christmas Eve ham), and rice porridge with raspberry jam. Presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve, and families attend church on Christmas morning.