Tis the season to be
jolly; fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la! For couple of weeks every year, the world
takes on a magical glow. People travel around the world to exchange gifts and
spend time with their loved ones. Whether you are celebrating Christmas or
another holiday, you are bound to be accustomed to certain customary holiday
traditions. Check out five (5) of our favourite Christmas traditions around the
world. Which one is your favourite?
(5) DAY OF THE LITTLE CANDLES, COLOMBIA
Little Candles’ Day (Día
de las Velitas) marks the start of the Christmas season across Colombia. In
honour of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles
and paper lanterns in their windows, balconies and front yards.
The tradition of candles
has grown, and now entire towns and cities across the country are lit up with
elaborate displays. Some of the best are found in Quimbaya, where
neighbourhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.
(4) CAVALCADE OF LIGHTS, TORONTO
In wintry, wonderful
Toronto the annual Cavalcade of Lights marks the official start to the holiday
The Square and Christmas
tree are illuminated by more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights that
shine from dusk until 11 pm until the New Year. On top of that, you’ll get to
witness spectacular fireworks shows and engage in some outdoor ice skating.
(3) ROLLER SKATE TO CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS EVE, VENEZUELA
Love Christmas, but think
it could be improved by a spot of roller-blading? If the answer is yes, visit
Caracas, Venezuela this year. Every Christmas Eve, the city’s residents head to
church in the early morning – so far, so normal – but, for reasons known only
to them, they do so on roller skates.
This unique tradition is
so popular that roads across the city are closed to cars so that people can
skate to church in safety, before heading home for the less-than-traditional
Christmas dinner of ‘tamales’ (a wrap made out of cornmeal dough and stuffed
with meat, then steamed).
(2) LIGHTING OF NATIONAL HANUKKAH MENORAH, WASHINGTON,
D.C. – US
The Jewish holiday of
Hanukkah is celebrated with much fanfare across the United States with one of
The lighting of the first
candle at the White House takes place at 4pm, rain or shine, and an additional
candle is lit each successive night. The event is free to attend, but tickets
must be booked in advance.
(1) HIDING OF BROOMS, NORWAY
Perhaps one of the most
unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide
their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people
believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for
brooms to ride on. To this day, many people still hide their brooms in the
safest place in the house to stop them from being stolen.
Source: Momondo
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