Merry Christmas! Nadolig Llawen! Joyeux Noël! Frohliche Weihnachten! Feliz Navidad!
Ever wondered how other countries celebrate Christmas? In collaboration with travel bloggers around the world, PackThePJs has compiled this A – Z to give a taste of festivities across the globe. Today we are focusing on D – F: Dresden in Germany, Esquipulas in Guatemala, and Ferrol, Galicia in Spain.
D: Dresden, Germany
Dresden in Germany is home to the Striezelmarkt, Germany’s longest running Christmas Market. A over 580 years old it is the main attraction in this Christmas capital.
Look up as you walk through the market, to see the carefully decorated roofs of the wooden stands. Each decorated with a Christmas or seasonal scene, many with charming moving characters.
Grab a warming Gluhwein and browse the many stalls. This region is known for the delicately carved wooden ornaments made in the nearby Ore Mountains. The smoking man decoration is unique to this region. Usually taking the form of a Santa or Snowman, an incense cone burns in his belly puffing smoke from his mouth, filling the air with the smells of Christmas.
The Striezelmarkt is not the only Christmas Market in Dresden, there are more than a dozen within the central city and even more in the nearby villages. Each market has its own theme, such as the Medieval Market, held in the Stallhoff, the former royal jousting arena. Here food is cooked over open fires, a blacksmith can be seen at work and you can try your hand at archery, or take a dip in a hot tub shaped out of a barrel.
Thanks to Happiness Travels Here
E: Esquipulas, Guatemala
The town of Esquipulas, located in the eastern part of Guatemala, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Central America. Home to the revered statue of el Cristo Negro or Black Christ located within the Basilica of Esquipulas, it’s a popular destination throughout the year, but Christmas is an extra special time to visit. Top things to do include viewing the Baroque architecture of the Basilica from the Mirador at the entrance to town, shopping in the open air market, visiting the statute of the Black Christ carved in 1594, lighting candles and praying within the Cathedral, built in 1759.
At Christmas, people also eat tamales and drink ponche (fruit punch) at one of the many restaurants located in the streets fanning out from the Basilica.
Thanks to A Taste for Travel
F: Ferrol, Galicia, Spain
As it happens with many other countries sharing its main religion, Christmas in Spain is one of the most celebrated dates on the calendar. Families gather together for dinner on December 24th, and lunch on December 25th, in what’s the traditional part of Christmas. However, in my humble opinion, what really is huge here is New Year’s Eve.
It’s commonly accepted that we, Spanish people, know how to throw a good party. New Year’s Eve celebrations in Ferrol are not an exception. Until midnight, everybody tends to stay at home, have dinner with their relatives or friends and get ready for a big night out. When midnight arrives, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes, one on each stroke of the clock to bring good luck for the New Year and with the 12th and last one, the party kicks off!
Throughout the whole country, there are huge parties in the streets, hotels, and clubs everywhere. But, unless you are in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, celebrating the event with thousands of people, don’t expect anyone in the streets till 12.30 or 1 am. Then, think of Spanish timing. Parties usually go on until the sun comes up or much longer.
Thanks to A World to Travel
We hope you have enjoyed reading this post of our A – Z Series. Please come back tomorrow for the next three letters of the alphabet!
