Christmas is a season that brings people together, and what better way to celebrate than through food? Across the globe, the holiday is marked by a dazzling array of culinary traditions, each reflecting local flavors, customs, and histories. From rich roasts to delicate pastries, the foods we share during Christmas reveal the universal joy of coming together at the table.

European festivities: a taste of tradition

  • In the United Kingdom, Christmas dinner is synonymous with indulgence: a golden roast turkey often takes center stage, surrounded by crispy roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips, all topped with rich gravy. The meal isn't complete without Christmas pudding, a steamed dessert packed with dried fruits and brandy. These dense, flavorful puddings are often flambéed at the table, adding a theatrical flair to the meal. Another classic treat is the mince pie, a small pastry filled with spiced fruit—a staple of British Christmases for centuries.

Italy, meanwhile, takes a regional approach to its Christmas meals. In the north, families gather around panettone, a soft, sweet bread dotted with candied fruits.

Sicily's "La Vigilia" feast

Known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes, it puts seafood front and center. Dishes like baccalà (salt cod) and pasta with anchovies reflect the island’s Mediterranean roots. These meals are often capped with torrone, a sweet nougat made with almonds and honey, or cannoli, Sicily’s iconic crispy pastry filled with sweet ricotta.

  • German Christmas tables are no less impressive: often featuring roast goose served alongside red cabbage and potato dumplings. The dessert of choice? Stollen, a rich fruitcake dusted with powdered sugar and packed with marzipan. First baked in Dresden in the 15th century, stollen has a long history tied to festive celebrations. German markets also overflow with lebkuchen, spiced cookies that fill the air with the scent of cinnamon and cloves, making them the perfect treat to pair with mulled wine.

  • In France, the Christmas feast—known as "Le Réveillon”: a sophisticated affair. After attending midnight mass, families enjoy a lavish spread that includes oysters, foie gras, and roasted capon. But the true star of the French Christmas table is the Bûche de Noël, a sponge cake rolled and decorated to resemble a Yule log. Often flavored with chocolate or chestnuts, this dessert is as delicious as it is visually striking, a perfect finale to the meal.

Scandinavian Christmas tables: hearty and homely

  • In Sweden, Christmas is all about the "Julbord": a festive smorgasbord that brings together a mix of traditional dishes. Think glazed ham, meatballs, and pickled herring, paired with Jansson’s Temptation—a creamy potato and anchovy casserole. The meal is accompanied by glögg, Sweden’s spiced mulled wine, often served with almonds and raisins. For dessert, saffron buns and gingerbread cookies are favorites, their warm spices evoking the holiday spirit.

  • Denmark shares many similarities with Sweden but has its own twists: roast pork with crackling is a quintessential Danish Christmas dish, served with caramelized potatoes and red cabbage. Another beloved tradition is "Risalamande," a creamy rice pudding topped with warm cherry sauce. A hidden almond in the pudding adds an element of fun: the lucky finder receives a small prize, adding laughter to the meal.

  • Finland’s Christmas table leans heavily on hearty, comforting dishes: the centerpiece is "Joulukinkku," or Christmas ham, which is often paired with an array of casseroles made from potatoes, carrots, or rutabagas. Fish dishes, especially gravlax and pickled herring, are also common. Finnish desserts are simple but satisfying, with prune-filled pastries and gingerbread cookies often served alongside glögi, the local version of mulled wine.

Eastern Europe: a celebration of faith and family

  • In Poland, Christmas Eve dinner—called "Wigilia"—is steeped in tradition: the meatless meal typically includes twelve dishes, representing the twelve apostles. The first course is often barszcz, a vibrant beet soup served with small mushroom-filled dumplings known as "uszka." Fish, particularly carp, is the star of the main course, while pierogi stuffed with sauerkraut and mushrooms make for hearty accompaniments. To end the meal, families enjoy kutia, a sweet pudding made from wheat berries, poppy seeds, honey, and nuts, symbolizing hope and prosperity for the year ahead.

  • Lithuania’s Kūčios dinner shares similar themes: with twelve dishes marking the twelve months of the year. The meal is entirely meatless, with an emphasis on simple, wholesome ingredients. Herring, beet soup, and various grain-based dishes take center stage, often accompanied by poppy seed rolls and dried fruit compotes. The focus on humble foods reflects the deep spiritual significance of the holiday, emphasizing gratitude and family togetherness.

Beyond Europe: global Christmas tables

  • In Japan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday, but it has developed unique culinary customs: since the 1970s, eating Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a beloved tradition, thanks to a successful marketing campaign. Families pre-order their KFC Christmas meals weeks in advance. For dessert, the Japanese enjoy Christmas cakes, light sponge cakes layered with whipped cream and strawberries—a sweet and festive treat.

  • In the Philippines, Christmas celebrations are among the longest in the world: beginning in September and ending in January. The highlight is the "Noche Buena" feast on Christmas Eve, featuring dishes like lechon (whole roasted pig), queso de bola (edam cheese), and hamón (sweet-cured ham). Desserts like bibingka and puto bumbong, traditional rice cakes cooked in banana leaves, add a distinctly Filipino flair to the celebration.

  • Australia’s Christmas falls in the summer: many families celebrate with outdoor barbecues. Seafood takes center stage, with prawns, oysters, and lobster often appearing on the menu. For dessert, pavlova—a meringue-based confection topped with fresh fruit and cream—is a quintessential choice, offering a light and refreshing end to the meal.

  • South Africa blends European traditions with local influences: roast turkey, beef, and ham are common, served with chutneys and "pap," a maize porridge. Desserts like malva pudding and trifle are favorites, enjoyed outdoors under the summer sun.

Reflections on global gastronomy

These diverse gastronomic traditions highlight the rich cultural tapestries that define Christmas celebrations around the world. From the refined elegance of French Réveillon to the hearty simplicity of Eastern European meals, each dish tells a story of heritage, values, and communal spirit. Food, as a universal language, brings people together, offering a glimpse into the unique ways different cultures celebrate the season.

Whether it’s the warmth of mulled wine in Scandinavia, the sweetness of panettone in Italy, or the savory richness of lechon in the Philippines, these festive foods embody the joy and togetherness that make Christmas truly special. As the world becomes increasingly connected, these culinary traditions continue to inspire and influence one another, creating new opportunities for shared experiences and cultural exchange.