Christmas is a time of joy and celebration recognized globally, but not every country celebrates it in the same way. Each culture has unique traditions that add to the rich tapestry of global festivities. In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer, so traditional hot meals are often replaced with barbecues or picnics on the beach. Australians also celebrate with Carols by Candlelight, massive concerts held in cities nationwide. Germany, on the other hand, is famous for its Christmas markets, or Christkindlmarkt. These markets sell everything from handmade gifts to hot mulled wine and are a staple of the holiday season. Japan, a predominantly Shinto and Buddhist country, has a unique tradition of eating KFC on Christmas Eve. This started from a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s and has stuck since. The Philippines has the world’s longest Christmas season, starting as early as September and ending on the first Sunday of January. The traditional 'Simbang Gabi' or Night Mass is attended by many Filipinos in this period. Russia follows the Julian calendar, wherein Christmas falls on January 7. The festive season kicks off with Sviatki, a period of merry-making where people disguise themselves and visit houses, singing and playing tricks, similar to Halloween in the United States. These traditions highlight the diverse ways Christmas is celebrated. Each holds a special significance to those who partake, uniting people across the globe in a shared spirit of festivity.