The lucky countries celebrating Christmas this week
THE tinsel is back in its box and there’s not a mince pie in sight as for most Brits, it’s back to the grind.
But for lots of places across the world, the celebrations are continuing with festivities like The Twelfth Night and Orthodox Christmas.
While most countries celebrate Christmas in December, usually on the 24 or 25 day of the month, some continue into January.
The celebration of the Twelfth Night generally marks the end of the Christmas festivities and is celebrated with various customs around the world.
France
In France, the Twelfth Night is celebrated with a Galette des Rois, otherwise known as a king cake.
Inside the cake is a hidden bean and whoever finds it is crowned as king or queen for the day – and gets to wear a paper crown.
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In the Provence region, Christmas is celebrated from early December all the way to February 2.
The celebration of Epiphany is held on January 6 to commemorate the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus.
Celebrations conclude on Candlemas, which is exactly 40 days after Christmas.
Spain
In Spain, January 5 is known as El Día de los Reyes, which in English means ‘Three Kings’ Day’.
During this time, the streets are filled with colourful parades with mechanical floats and sweets are thrown into the crowds.
Children will leave their shoes outside their doors in the hope of gifts, and there’s a tradition to write letters to the three kings too.
The following day on January 6, is a public holiday and families will gather together to share a Roscon de Reyes.
It’s a circular sweet bread topped with sugar and dried fruits.
Just like in France, a bean is hidden inside and whoever finds it has to buy the cake for the following year.
Greece
For those who are Orthodox, especially Greek Orthodox, there’s a tradition of a strict fast with no meat, dairy or oil on January, 5.
The following day on January 6, is called Theophaneia or Fota which means ‘lights’ and marks the end of the Christmas period.
On this day is a huge feast called Theophany which commemorates the baptism of Jesus.
One popular event on January 6 takes places near water, locals will go to the beach, lakes or rivers, and Orthodox Priests throw a cross into the water.
Swimmers will then dive in to catch it as the cross brings good luck for the year.
In certain destinations there are different traditions, like in Lefkada, where instead of a cross, a priest will throw a batch of oranges.
In Kastoria, there’s a carnival. And in Halkidiki, a group of men will protect a sausage from locals trying to ‘steal’ it.
Italy
Italy also holds Twelfth Night on January 5, 2026 – and it’s celebrated alongside the legend of La Befana.
Depicted as a kind-hearted old woman, she plays a central role in the festivities as on the Twelfth Night, she flies on her broomstick to fill children’s stockings by the fireplace.
In Venice locals will race along the Grand Canal – other places hold costume parades, and even burn puppets.
America
New Orleans classically celebrates the Twelfth Night as it’s also the beginning of carnival season, Mardi Gras.
There’s a king cake party and plenty of parades along the French Quarter.
Ireland
There’s no Twelfth Night celebrations in Ireland, but there is Nollaig na mBan, otherwise known as Women’s Christmas.
This day is held on January 6, 2026 and is traditionally a day celebrating women and their hard work during the festive season.
Communities will put a call out for nominations to celebrate local women who are honoured at an awards ceremony.
Georgia
In some countries, Christmas falls on January 7, 2026.
This is because they follow the Julian calendar, which means their festivities take place 13 days after December 25.
On a Georgian Christmas Eve, which is held on January 6, church services can stretch on until 4AM the following morning.
Then during Georgia’s Christmas Day on January 7, lots will take to the streets for an ‘Alilo’ parade.
Some will even dress up as those depicted in the Christmas story, and will hold Georgian flags – children taking part are often given sweets.
Another key aspect of the Georgian Christmas is its ‘Chichilaki’ Christmas tree, which are made with curly strands of hazelnut or walnut wood.
These are meant to create a bushy ‘beard’ which resemble the beard of St Basil.
Despite the later celebration, children typically open presents on December 31, which are brought to them by by their own Santa called Tovlis Papa (which means Grandfather Snow).
Ethiopia
Ethiopians celebrate on January 7 as they also follow the Julian calendar.
Festivities include a feast which they have after a 43 day fast where they avoid meat, dairy, eggs and alcohol.
To celebrate they’ll eat spicy chicken strew, bread, beer and honey wine.
There’s an all-night church service and attendees will traditionally wear all white.
Men and boys will take part in games like Ganna (which is similar to hockey) and Yeferas Guks – which is spear throwing while riding a horse.
Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, those who are Orthodox Christian would have fasted for 40 days until the first star on January 6.
They will then feast on the January 7 alongside extended family usually eating traditional meat pies and sweet treats.
Like in Georgia, children will generally receive and open presents on New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas.
The day is a public holiday and usually at this time of year, it snows in Kazakhstan, so locals will have a white Christmas.
Plus, here’s Sun Travel’s top 7 picks for January holidays from cheap flights to hot breaks to beat the winter blues.
And discover the 7 short-haul destinations perfect for a January holiday with flights from £14.99.
