Christmas around the world

7 December marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration in Colombia, the so-calledCandlelight Day. Houses are illuminated with lanterns and the streets with colourful lights. Music is played and joy and laughter follow the game of “mis aguinaldos”.

For the nine nights leading up to Christmas, family and friends of all generations gather for the traditional “novena” around the nativity scene or the Christmas tree, eating “natilla y buñuelos” and singing carols with tambourines, maracas, and rattles.

On the night of the 24th, after the traditional “tamal” dinner, children eagerly await midnight, when a “mysterious being” leaves them their gifts, preservingthe “magic” of their origin.

Probably the most beautiful part of Romanian Christmas time is carolling (“colindatul”), a tradition that goes back to Medieval Times. Romanian Christmas carols use tunes and themes that vary from region to region, but the most beloved are the ones glorifying the birth of Jesus.

In Romania, the whole family spends Christmas around the table and eats a rich, multi-course meal consisting of various traditional dishes like “Pomana Porcului” (Pork's Alms), pickled vegetables or beef salad. For dessert, there will always be “cozonac” (a cake filled with nuts). The recipe and filling may differ from region to region (see two examples with tutorials below).

Christmas in Ghana is a vibrant celebration across its 16 regions, each adding its unique twist. From bustling Accra to Takoradi’s colourful Ankos Festival, the streets come alive with masquerades, music, and dance.

Families feast on “jollof rice” (a spiced tomato-based rice dish) and “fufu” (a starchy dough made from plantain, cassava, or yam), typically paired with rich soups. Church services and family gatherings are central to the celebrations, while young people flock to “Detty December” a series of concerts and street events in Accra. Ghana beautifully blends faith, food, and culture into an unforgettable Christmas season.

The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world: the countdown starts on 1 September and ends on the first Sunday of January. The festivities usually include a parol or Christmas Lantern, representing an iconic symbol of Filipino Christmas, similar to the Christmas tree in Western cultures. The star-shaped lantern traditionally made of bamboo and paper evokes the Star of Bethlehem.

Thousands look forward to the grand lighting of the Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga with lanterns that are up to 12 meters in height.

Go and see the lighting parols in Bern also at the Philippine Embassy where they will be showcased from 16-30 December 2024, between 5.00-7.00 pm.