Christmas around the world:

How do you celebrate it?

Different countries have different customs, and here we look at some of the fun things people get up to around the world!

Australia & New Zealand

These people are gathered for carols in the park in Sydney, Australia. Wouldn’t you like to join them?

Carols by candlelight started in Melbourne in 1937, and the custom has spread to other large cities in Australia.

Thousands of people, each holding a candle, gather together – often outdoors – to sing carols. The Melbourne event is broadcast on television all over Australia.

There are often other celebrations in the larger cities, such as festivals, parades and fireworks.

Families often go camping or stay at their holiday homes for Christmas.

Many towns in New Zealand have a Santa parade, with decorated floats, marching bands and teams of dancers twirling batons.

United States

Americans love to parade, too!

This is the 75th Hollywood Christmas Parade.

There are parades in many local communities three or four weeks before Christmas. Local groups and schools decorate their cars and design floats, the Mayor joins the parade and children from local dancing schools will often take part.

Families line the streets to watch, and children love to catch the sweets (or candy) thrown from the floats.

  
Read more about other Christmas customs here on page 2!