Different Christmas Traditions Around the World!

Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year. For a few days, the world shines with a new light, people are in a merry mood and winter starts feeling cosy! It is mesmerizing to see how every country and their people have distinct holiday rituals, which makes the festival of Christmas so special. Come take a look with us, as we show you different Christmas traditions around the globe!

United Kingdom

Families in the UK participate in something called Pantomime every year during Christmas. They are humorous and slapstick entertainment performances for the whole family, where men dress up in drag! The costumes are often based on famous fairytales we have heard growing up.

Here’s what makes pantomimes so unique. According to tradition, there will be a villain in the act who will sneak up on the protagonist regularly throughout the play. It is the responsibility of the audience to shout, "He's behind you!" to the main character, where she/he tries to figure what’s going on!

Canada

Every year during Christmas, the beautiful city of Toronto in Canada brightens up to the annual Cavalcade of Lights which officially marks the start to the festive season! The Cavalcade began in 1967 to exhibit the glory of Toronto’s newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. Today the square and the Christmas tree installed there are lit up with more than 300,000 LED lights that brighten the City Hall from dusk to 11 pm until the New Year's Eve. Like icing on the cake, if you visit Toronto during this time, you will witness spectacular fireworks and maybe even get the chance to ice-skate!

United States of America

We know fruitcakes are the most common desserts of Christmas culinary traditions, but you will be surprised with this cake! In Kentucky, you are considered to be lucky if you get your hands on some of the famous fruitcake baked by the monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani.

This fruitcake is popularly known as the Twelfth Night cake made with dried fruits, nuts and spices, which is soaked in the signature bourbon whiskey making it heavenly delicious!

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