Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival
and public holiday in countries around the
world, including many whose populations are
mostly non-Christian. In some non-Christian
countries, periods of former colonial rule
introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong); in
others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural
influences have led populations to observe the
holiday. Countries such as Japan, where
Christmas is popular despite there being only a
small number of Christians, have adopted many of
the secular aspects of Christmas, such as
gift-giving, decorations, and Christmas trees.
Countries in which Christmas is not a formal
public holiday include Afghanistan, Algeria,
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China
(excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Comoros, Iran,
Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives,
Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea,
Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sahrawi Arab Democratic
Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan,
Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United
Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Christmas celebrations around the world can vary
markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural
and national traditions.
Among countries with a strong Christian
tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations
have developed that incorporate regional and
local cultures. For Christians, participating in
a religious service plays an important part in
the recognition of the season. Christmas, along
with Easter, is the period of highest annual
church attendance. In Catholic countries, people
hold religious processions or parades in the
days preceding Christmas.
In other countries, secular processions or
parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal
figures are often held. Family reunions and the
exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of
the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas
Day in most countries. Others practice gift
giving on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, and
January 6, Epiphany.
