Christmas is a special time of the year for families all over the world – each country has it’s own different ways of celebrating Christmas – here are a few festive traditions from around the world…
In the UK, panto is one of the more popular festive traditions. During the Christmas season, you can find a traditional pantomime pretty much anywhere in the country like this panto Preston. Popular with kids and adults alike, you can enjoy the panto dames in their full regalia, as well as a bit of audience participation – it wouldn’t be a panto without shouts of ‘he’s behind you!’
Germany and Austria have a slightly more sinister Christmas tradition – The Krampus. This frightening beast is the opposite of Santa, and whilst the good boys and girls enjoy a visit from Saint Nick, the naughty ones may expect the Krampus to visit! He is said to collect the naughty children and take them away in a sack!
Mexico has a long festive celebration period – from 12th-6th January, is when the traditional celebrations take place. From the 16th December until Christmas Eve, the Posadas take place – this is performed by children and represents Mary looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. They visit houses and sing a song with a candle.
In Russia, Christmas was not the traditional time of festivities that it is in a lot of the world during the times of the Soviet Union. It is typically celebrated more around the new year, when a character known as Father Frost delivers gifts to children.