December Festivals to Visit Around the World

Christmas and other December holidays are largely celebrated at home and in community settings not designed for outsiders, but families traveling in Europe and many other parts of the world will find December holiday festivals where they are more than welcome.

Throughout most of Europe, Christmas markets bring a festival air to cities and towns, often with special features designed for children.

Observed throughout Germany, Austria and parts of central Europe, Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is celebrated on the evening of Dec. 5. People (usually men) dressed in shaggy costumes (supposed to be half man and half goat) run through streets of villages supposedly chasing naughty children with their switches. In practice, they may take a swing at the ankles of any handy bystander, so step back into a doorway as they come.

On Dec. 6, St. Nicholas Day, boat owners in Greece string lights on their boats. Called Karayaki, this decoration continues to light up the harbors through Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.

In the highland town of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the Fiesta de Santo Tomas is a colorful cultural celebration honoring the town’s patron, St. Thomas. From Dec. 14 through 21, the town is alive with dancing, fireworks, ancient Mayan ceremonies, marimba music and colorful processions as statues of saints are paraded through the streets.

Possibly the best-known festival in all Europe, Venice’s Carnevale begins Dec. 26 and builds in intensity until Ash Wednesday. While tourists are not likely to be invited to Carnevale balls in the glittering palaces along the Grand Canal, plenty more revelry fills the streets. You can even rent traditional costumes and masks to blend in. It’s not the best choice of festival for young children, as crowds are overwhelming.

Celebrated in the Bahamas from Dec. 26 through New Years Day, Junkanoo fills the streets with colorful parades, flamboyant costumes, dancing, street vendors, music and general celebration. These parades are spectacular events with elaborate floats and dance troupes.

Evolving from ancient celebrations of the Winter Solstice, Hogmanay is observed throughout Scotland from Dec. 31 through Jan. 2. Parties, torchlight processions, fireworks, bagpipe music, traditional Scottish dancing and bonfires light up town and make Edinburgh’s three-day event one of the world’s largest New Years Eve celebrations.