25 Unique Winter Traditions Around the Globe You Might Not Be Aware Of

13. Message from the monarch.

Since 1932, the reigning monarch of England delivers a message to all the people of United Kingdom.

12. Jumping into an ice-cold bay.

Every January people of Maryland jump into ice-cold Chesapeake Bay as part of a tradition. This event is called the Polar Bear Plunge and the participants all wear regular swimsuit as they jump into the 30 degrees Fahrenheit water.

11. Celebrating in cemeteries.

Families in Finland celebrate a portion of their Christmas day in the cemeteries and leave lighted candles as they commemorate the special day with their dead loved ones.

10. Staying awake all night.

Iranians celebrate the winter solstice called Yalda. Families stay awake all night and fruits such as pomegranate, to symbolize the cycle of life are served. Yalda is a celebration of victory of light over darkness.

9. Throwing shoes at houses.

Want to know if you will get married next year? Do as the Czech women do. Throw a shoe at your house on Christmas day. If the shoe land with the heel facing the house, you’ll remain single throughout the year.

8. Christmas spiders.

A legend on Christmas spiders leaving their webs on Christmas day to see Christ is popular in Germany and Ukraine. Legend says Christ touched the webs so the lady of the house wont miss the spiders. Now, silver and gold tinsel on trees represent the webs.

7. Dong Zhi.

The arrival of winter is celebrated in China on December 22 and is called Dong Zhi. The Chinese eat Tangyuan, a rice dumpling and worship their ancestors.

6. The Crapper.

In some parts of France, Southern Italy and Spain have an extra figurine in their nativity scenes. The figure shows a guy squatting with his pants pulled down, crapping. The figurine is called The Crapper.

5. Lining up for KFCs.

Due to a KFC campaign in Japan in 1947, Japanese line up to avail of their Christmas chicken for December 25. Sometimes, they order months in advance to make sure they have Christmas chicken.

4. Soyal.

The Arizona Hopi Indians celebrate Soyal during winter solstice. Purification and welcoming of the spirits from the mountains are part of the Kachinas tradition.

3. Giant goat.

Gavle, a town in Sweden, places a giant goat in the town square as part of their winter tradition since 1966.

2. Bear carolers.

Carolers dressed as bears dance and sing during the New Year. This Romanian tradition is called Ursul.

1. Santa Lucia Day.

Every 13th of December, Saint Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden. The youngest girl in the family dresses up as Saint Lucia and leads her family outdoors to sing, eat and dance.