We’re probably all familiar with various holiday-time traditions and rituals beyond Christmas trees and menorahs: Wearing red undergarments on Chinese New Year, Germany’s creepy Krampus Night, the widely celebrated Three Kings Day in Latin America, among others. How a culture celebrates offers a glimpse into its values, ideals and how people live life day to day.
But what about some of the more lesser-known (and perhaps more charming) traditions from around the world? We’ve compiled a few of our favorite celebrations during the holiday season below:
Christmas Day KFC in Japan
In Japan, a land known for its signature dishes, high-end cuisine and mouthwatering delicacies–wagyu beef, meticulously-prepared sashimi, flavorful ramen recipes perfected over centuries–you may be surprised to learn that the go-to Christmastime meal in Japan is…Kentucky Fried Chicken?
On Christmas Day, you’ll see lines of citizens wrapping for blocks as they wait to pick up their pre-orders for what has become the equivalent of a Thanksgiving turkey in the States for their Christmas dinner. So how did this come about? In the 1970s, a KFC Japan executive allegedly overheard an expat lamenting the lack of “Christmas turkey” in Japan, and he figured that fried chicken was the next best thing. The fried chicken party bucket went national in 1974 with the tagline: ケンタッキーはクリスマス！(Kentucky is Christmas!).
And, it caught on. In fact, today Christmas sales account for over 30% of KFC Japan’s sales for the year. Folks who don’t think to order ahead will just have to do without. You can read the full account here!
Behold the Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca
On December 23 each year, the main square in central Mexico’s city of Oaxaca is transformed into a festive, red-and-white sea of artistry where onlookers can gaze upon the masterful sculptures and detailed scenes carved into a very delicate medium: the radish!
The Oaxaca Christmas Market dates back to the 1800s. In the 1890s, the radish crops of the region were particularly fruitful, and vendors started to use them as a way to spruce up their stalls and draw attention to their large radish inventories. The figures were such a hit that an annual radish carving competition became the main event of the annual market, now officially dubbed Noche de Rabanos.
Cultural scenes, biblical figures and even abstract visions are regularly featured. You can see some amazing photos and read more about the competition here.
Wave to Surfing Santa & BBQ in Australia
The winter holidays in the southern hemisphere have a slightly different aesthetic: it’s summertime, after all! In Australia, Santa trades his warm winter duds for something more appropriate for the climate. It’s not abnormal to see surfers and beachgoers in their santa hats, enjoying the holiday out of doors.
Boxing Day, celebrated widely in Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada, provides a continuation of the festivities: watching sports matches, cookouts with friends or the traditional charitable works are common activities on December 26 down under.
Hire a Motorbike Santa in Vietnam
While Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Vietnam, elaborate celebrations take place there just the same. Western influence has seeped into Vietnamese culture, and major cities like Hanoi as well as smaller towns can be seen decked out with lights and festive decorations.
The legend of Santa Clause, who in traditional lore makes his way by magical flying sleigh built to traverse the snow and ice, has his own unique twist–in Vietnam, Santa rides a motorbike or scooter, and is hired directly by parents to deliver gifts to children. On Christmas Eve, throngs of men (and women!) in red can be seen weaving through the streets atop their trusty steel steeds, laden with packages for expectant children.