Weird Holiday Traditions Around the World

By: August Oh '22

(Image courtesy of primarybeginnings.com)

Here are some bizarre holiday traditions celebrated around the world that might just raise your eyebrows.

1. KFC Dinner - Japan

In Japan, rather than enjoying a homemade meal, it is a tradition for people to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner. The chicken meal is so popular that the fast food restaurants ask its customers to place their orders at least a couple months in advance. This tradition first began in 1974 for tourists who longed for a dinner resembling a holiday meal. However, KFC caught the attention of locals as well and has been extremely popular since then.

(Image courtesy of samurai-incubate-israel.asia)

2. Roller Skating to Church - Venezuela

In Caracas, Venezuela, rather than walking, many roller skate to church to attend mass for the holidays. Roads surrounding the neighborhoods are often blocked from December 16-24, each day from 8 A.M., to safely allow many to skate. Skaters often tug on the ends of string tied onto the big toes of children who are at their windows. After mass, people enjoy their time with tostadas and coffee.

(Image courtesy of caracaschronicles.com)

3. Spider Web Tree - Ukraine

The mash-up of spooky and holiday spirit occurs in Ukraine where people decorate their Christmas trees with spider webs. This tradition is based on a folklore about a poor family who grew a Christmas tree from a pinecone, but they could not afford to decorate the tree. However, when they woke up on Christmas morning, they discovered that spiders had spun webs around the tree. Today, people add webs as a sign of good luck for the coming year.

(Image courtesy of finderyhq.wordpress.com)

4. Caroling with Dead Horses - Wales

Mari Lwyd translates to “grey mare,” and it is a tradition celebrated in Wales where people go around caroling in neighborhoods in exchange for food and drinks. The twist is that one person dresses up as a horse, but with an actual skull of a horse as the head. This tradition is said to bring good luck and it originates from ancient Celtic rites.

(Image courtesy of dailypost.co.uk)

5. Krampus - Germany

The holidays we know of are usually filled with excitement and jolly decorations, but in Germany, there is a scary holiday tradition about Krampus. Krampus is a goat-like creature with fangs, dark hair, and a long, slithering tongue who punishes bad children. He would stuff them into a bag, bring them to the Underworld, and eat them. Today, there are festivals and parades to celebrate Krampusnacht (Krampus Night). Also, townsmen would dress up as Krampus and run through the streets, chasing naughty children.

(Image courtesy of german-way.com)