Christmas traditions around the world: How India, Japan and Australia celebrate the festive season

To most of us in the UK, what we associate with Christmas may seem rather obvious: Christmas trees, leaving carrots out for Santa’s reindeer and the timeless debate of whether to stay at home in our pyjamas all day or battle the Boxing Day sales.

But what about roller skating to church or eating KFC for your Christmas dinner? They’re just two of the fascinating Christmas traditions that take place around the world.

One of the reasons Christmas is so joyful is that it brings people together, and because it’s such a universal celebration, there’s a real sense of unity at this time of the year.

Here’s how Christmas is celebrated in countries around the world:

Philippines' Christmas traditions

Every year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, you can catch the Great Lantern Festival in San Fernando City, playfully known as the “Christmas capital of the Philippines” for that very reason.

The festival was founded in 1931, when electricity was first introduced in San Fernando. As a predominantly Christian country, Filipinos place much importance on the symbolism of light.

Back then, the lanterns were made from ‘papel de hapon’ (Japanese origami paper) and lit by candle. Now, the technicoloured lanterns are about six metres in size.

Austria's Christmas traditions

Whilst we’re used to celebrating Santa Claus at Christmastime, Austria also pays homage to his evil sidekick, Krampus.

Krampus is a half-man, half-goat demon whose legend has been around since pagan times.

The story goes that whilst Santa rewards the good children, Krampus captures the naughty ones.

The Krampus parade is held on the first week of December, during which people dress up as Krampus and terrify young children, all in the name of good fun, of course.

Japan's Christmas traditions

Since there are few Christians in Japan, Christmas is not a huge deal there.

KFC on the other hand, is a very big deal for the Japanese. It’s not uncommon for people to dine on the fried chicken delicacy for their Christmas dinner.

KFC in Japan even has its own festive menu and people plan their orders weeks in advance.

Venezuela's Christmas traditions

For locals in Venezuela’s capital of Caracas, Christmas means it’s time to get your skates and head to mass – quite literally.

Legend has it that children go to sleep with a piece of string tied around their shoe and the other end dangling out the window.

Skaters then glide past and tug on the string to let the children know it’s time to go to mass.

The tradition proved so popular that the government often has to close the streets to allow skaters to pass.

India's Christmas traditions

Christianity is India’s third largest religion after Hinduism and Islam, with 2.3 per cent of the population practising it.

On Christmas Eve, the whole family will usually walk to midnight mass. Churches in India are adorned with Poinsettia flowers and candles for the midnight mass service.

In Goa, most Christians are Catholic due to the historic link with Portugal.

On Christmas Eve, Catholics in Goa will hang out giant paper lanterns between houses.

The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve, which will often include Western Christmas food such as roast turkey or chicken.

Jamaica's Christmas traditions

Christmas is bright, beautiful and full of energy in Jamaica.

Christmas Eve marks the start of the famous Grand Market, where people go shopping for food, sweets and toys. The market starts at 6pm and continues until morning.

The streets are lined with people ready to party all night.

During the Grand Market, there’s also the traditional masquerade party of ‘John Canoe’ or Jonkanoo, which involves people dancing in the street in colourful costumes. This tradition came to Jamaica with slaves from Africa and was popular across the island for many years. The festivity has since declined and now is confined to more rural areas.

Christmas Day breakfast includes delicious ackee and saltfish, breadfruit, fried plantains and boiled bananas.

You’d better save room for dinner too, where chicken, curry goat, stewed oxtail and rice and peas are served up.

Canada's Christmas traditions

Every year, the sky in Toronto is lit up by the Cavalcade of Lights.

The spectacular event first took place in 1967 to show off the city’s newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.

This year, attendees will be treated to music, a skating party and a firework display.

Australia's Christmas traditions

Christmas means summer for Australians, which means swapping festive jumpers and woolly hats for bikinis and flip flops.

As well has having a Christmas tree, Australians also decorate their homes with bunches of ‘Christmas Bush,’ a native tree with small green leaves and cream coloured flowers.

On Christmas Day, most people have a cold Christmas dinner or do a barbecue with prawns and lobsters.

Boxing Day is when people visit their friends and have more barbecues on the beach.

The famous yacht race from Sydney to Hobart in Tasmania also takes place on Boxing Day.