Christmas is celebrated differently all over the world, and every country has their own traditional way of celebrating the holiday season.
While Christmas is now largely a secular holiday celebrated by over 160 countries, it was traditionally a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, so there are some countries that don’t celebrate Christmas at all.
For those trying to escape Christmas this year, these destinations are your best bet. If you’re looking for Christmas gifts to organize for family and friends before you bolt from the country, you can find ideas on review sites like ReviewedPAPA.
Countries That Don’t Celebrate Christmas
Morocco
The population of Morocco is predominantly Muslim, so Christmas is not a major holiday.
While you won’t be bombarded with an onslaught Christmas lights and carolling choirs, walking the streets of Marrakech will see you bear witness to hundreds of brightly colored lanterns, and enveloped by the sound of the adhan (Muslim call to prayer), and can enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast on Christmas day.
Thailand
The population of Thailand is Buddhist, and while a large number of Christians live in the capital of Bangkok, December 25 passes as just another day.
In Thailand for Christmas? Thailand’s warm temperature at this time of the year makes it easy to spend Christmas day on the beach.
Russia
Have two Christmas’ this year and head to Russia come January!
The Russian Orthodox church doesn’t celebrate Christmas until January 7, the date being different because the church uses the old ‘Julian’ calendar for religious celebration days.
Turkey
Like Morocco, Turkey is largely a Muslim country. While there are a number of Christian communities, once again, December 25 passes by as just another day.
But don’t worry – Istanbul’s stunning sites and vibrant neighbourhoods should be enough distract you from the lack of Christmas spirit.
The Maldives
99 percent Muslim, you won’t find any mention of Christmas while in the Maldives. But it’s not an overly horrible way to spend the holidays!
Stretches of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters; and if you’re truly longing for christmas lights, just throw on some scuba gear and dive down to witness the vibrant colours of the Maldives’ coral reefs.
Other Countries That Don’t Celebrate Christmas:
Vietnam, Somalia, Laos, Cambodia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Iraq, China, Congo, Algeria, Yemen, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Iran, Azerbaijan, Comoros, Oman, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Nepal, North Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Tunisia and Afghanistan.
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93 Comments
this is precisely why im leaving norway this year and heading somewhere that doesnt celebrate ;) things shut down for an entire week here in norway and i just get realllllly bored. so i try to flee. it almost worked last year but in the end, i ended up stuck here bored for a week :) not happening this year.
regardless of whether or not you celebrate, have a great holiday :)
I love Christmas
i would say Singapore is a nice place even though they’re celebrate x’mas it’s still nice to hang out. and Bali Indonesia too. just for relaxation.
Another country that doesn’t celebrate Christmas is China – yeah I had to teach at the public school I’m at – but lots blue Christmas Trees in the malls!
that really helped me through my school as you know christmas is nearly here merry christmas and a happy new year
Cool. I will be having a very merry Christmas this year at school.
Poor you
Dear Megan and Mike, thanks for this rough survey about who is celebrating christmas and who isn’t. Interesting to get the opinions from Noprway and the us. As Founder of the Travel Agents Community I might say that of course Travel Agents are happy to arrange for a lot of people in these days.their own escape from ort to Christmas. So nevertheless where you are in these days. In the winter or in the sun, X-mas overloaded or missing some X-Mas ambience – just enjoy with your beloved ones some nice moments and think about the important things in life.
Thanks for this blog and keep the hard work in 2014. Best regards Michael Gebhardt
China celebrates Christmas in the contemporary commercial way, at least in the cities and at least among who can afford it. In fact, it seems to be growing there all the time.
Interesting! I’m pretty “meh” about Christmas these days, would much rather be travelling during it instead ;)
While China doesn’t celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, it still shares in the commercial season of buying!
http://www.backpackingbear.com/blog/joe-louis-celebrates-dec-25/
DDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRR! I love Christmas! You are acting like that movie Christmas With The Kranks when Mr. Krank tries to skip Christmas for a 10 day cruise. So, have fun doing so!
Congo celebrate Christmas.The majority of the population of the country are Catholics.The fastest growing religion in Sub-Saharan Africa, Carribean (Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Tribango etc), Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Guyana, Souriname etc) is PENTECOSTALISM.Look the religion map of Africa here: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Religion_distribution_Africa_crop.png
interesting! I love to celebrate Christmas! Thanks for the post! Happy and safe travels :)
Though Tokyo Japan is a Christmas haven, if you drive 40 miles to Kiyoto, there is absolutely nothing there but gorgeousness.
Kiyoto is really the hub of Japan culture.
Absolutely gorgeous gardens and buildings and you might even run into a Geisha or two!
hello
I am visiting Istanbul right now, and although it is true that it is not easy to find signs of Christmas here, it is possible. This morning I wok up in the Galata district to the sounds of someone playing Jingle Bells on the street. There are also small Christmas displays in some shops. Over dinner with a few locals last night, I understand that in some neighbourhoods where there are many expats, Christmas is a big thing on the 24-25. I am loving the downplayed season though. I’m not a huge fan of the over-hyped, commercialization of Christmas.
I am in Istanbul right now and although it’s true that signs of Christmas are not prevalent, they are not absent. Some shops have small displays of Santa and Christmas trees. Had dinner with a few locals last night and they report that in neighbourhoods where expats are many, Christmas decorations and celebrations are in full force the week before Christmas. I am loving the less hyped up version of the holidays, though. No desire to here Mariah Carey sing “I’ll I want for Christmas” on an endless loop. :)
Another really great escape from Christmas is Cuba. I travelled there at the end of December 2006 specifically to escape everything Christmas, and it was the best decision. The only sign of it was a glimpse of a Christmas tree inside someone’s home, but other than that, nothing. Even though it’s a predominantly Catholic country culturally, Fidel Castro declared it atheist during his era and December 25 was a regular working day up until the Pope visited in 1998. Cuba’s major industry is tourism and likely more signs of Christmas will appear over time, but for now I would say it’s a cheaper and closer escape from the season’s annoyances versus the Buddhist or Muslim alternatives.
We are living in Thailand and they don’t celebrate it but OOOOO do they decorate for it! Every mall and store is full of xmas decor! They even poured salt all over the ground in a shopping mall by my house to make it look like snow….
I would say that going all out in decorating , including the salt is their way of celebrating it.
there are much more countries that don’t celebrate chritsmas.
This is a very important post. I want to visit a country that does not celebrate chrismas, probably Morocco
Hi does anyone know where Christmas comes from ? I couldn’t find any mention in bible I did find the Magi from the East in Matthew chapter 2 verse 11 quote On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother etc. No barn says house. It does say that when Mary & Joe got to Bethlehem they couldn’t find a room like 2:6 . For her labor they used a barn even Shepard’s witness. I guess because he was the lamb of God. Common sense would be they would find suitable shelter eventually and it says so in Matthew 2:11.Also weather there is about the same as New England . If outside then it wouldn’t be cold so it must be perhaps spring definitely not winter .So I would love to know where this huge holiday came from ?
I really liked reading about this and about the countries that you included, Megan. I’ll always remember being in Koh Chang in Thailand and seeing a lone Christmas Tree on the beach and that being really the only reminder that we were spending the holiday in paradise. It really doesn’t sink in like it used to for me, and people should know about that first time and how it feels to not see the festive decorations.
I’d consider myself more of a Festivus type but do get a little homesick when away from home and not seeing tons of streets lit up with Christmas lights. I guess you can say that Korea celebrates Christmas, as they have a pretty significant portion of people celebrating. They do love their Neon lights as well but for some reason, they don’t always apply them during Christmas.
Sure I’ve seen some displays in Seoul and in touristy locations in and around the country but for the most part where I live, the lights aren’t a common thing. Two memories I’ll cherish have to do with light festivals held in and around our humble surroundings here in coastal Korea.
One is at the famed Boseong Green Tea Fields where they light up the whole place and let people walk around in December and in January. There’s a smaller light ceremony here in Yeosu and held for longer, between December and February. Both of those are great ways to see lights and sort of force yourself into the Christmas spirit when the time comes.
Thanks for sharing this post, Megan. It really made me appreciate what I will be coming home to in the near future. I’m not a fan of the commercialism and such with Christmas. For me, it’s the lights as you can see☺
Take Care.
Well…these countries are on my list of “not to visit during December”. Hehehe! I love Christmas so much! I can’t imagine not celebrating it!
For those of you wanting to escape christmas in United states go to Disney World they dont celebrate there at all:)
I have lived in plenty of non Christmas places And although they make an effort and trees always come up, because of commercial reasons, the feeling is always muted. If you’re not in s shopping mall you don’t feel it. Plus for me Christmas is not Christmas without the cold! So being in Singapore even if there are trees everywhere the heat just kills the feeling ?
Interesting, I am excited to celebrate Christmas.
Morocco sounds perfect for me this time of year!
Hi Megan, love the article but I just want to update you that Jordan does celebrate Christmas! OK, so it’s not as big and commercial as in the west, but there is a large Christian community here which celebrates, you will find Christmas trees and decorations in most hotels/restaurants/businesses around the country as well as a huge Christmas display and celebration in The Boulevard in Amman (the main cultural centre in the capital city). This all happens on Dec 25th, then for the Egyptian Coptic Christians and Greek orthodox we do it all again in Jan same as the Russians!
I think you need a bit to inform yourself before you post things.Christmas is one of the biggest and the most celebrate holiday in Eritrea.Eritrea has more than 50 Orthodox christian and about 5 percent Catholic and protestant followers. We do celebrate Christmas happily and colorfully–just for your information
50% I mean
Around Christmas I Always feel nostalgic.
I live in Switzerland where celebrations were mostly religiuos but now are starting to become more commercial.
No Christmas magic anymore, just this feeling of loss.
Cities gets empty and people disappear from the streets and everyithing feel soo sad.
I don’t like it anymore…
So I was home the other day, thinking of what could I do to make my next Christmas more special and then it hit me: What if I get on a plane and spend Christmas in different places, all in the same journey…?
Has anybody ever tried to organize a vacation to celebrate Christmas around the world?
I know of people who went on a trip to celebrate New Year’s Eve around the world but I can’t find a single informations about a similar trip for Christmas celebration.
Did anybody tried before?
Sorry for my english, I didn’t check the spelling before posting…
Wut? We celebrate christmas all over Egypt! We celebrate it on the 25th because that’s the widely known christmas, and also on the 7th of January for the orthodox christians who make up 15% of our country. We even know who santa is, we call him Papa Noel (Derived from the french meaning of Father Christmas). Even kids here believe that he’ll leave presents!
Being from North America I didn’t have a clue about which countries do and don’t celebrate! For me personally, Christmas is about family time, exchanging gifts, and celebrations. I feel like its modern sense transcends religion, well in North America anyways!
I guess if we end up in the Maldives this year we will have to bring a little bit of Christmas with us!
Great post, Megan, your article is definitely precise. Personally, I do not want to live there, the only reason is I cannot live without celebrating Christmas and it will not complete if there’s not fireworks display in the sky.
Nevertheless, it is a glad to discover that there are many Countries don’t celebrating Christmas, sad to hear but it a culture and beliefs.
Pretty interesting! I had no idea that the Maldives didn’t celebrate Christmas….I guess if I was there during the holidays I wouldn’t complain though! :)
Interesting to celebrate Christmas and New Year is Albania.
I cannot live without celebrating Christmas Eve, seeing shining glimmering is my joy and all my stress it takes away because of the spirit of Christmas. That is why on this Christmas I will much more significant. Happy Mary Christmas everyone.
Ohh, I’ve almost forgotten, I love the information of this article, I have a new discovery of the different culture celebrating and not celebrating Christmas. :D
May I ask a stupid question to people who live in America? I recently heard that are some states in America that asked not to celebrate Xmas. Is that true or is it BS (pardon my French)? I mean K, we know that some people are really pissed that Santa is a fictitious, but come on, to that extent? Thanks in advance for your answers. Have a nice holiday whatever you do!
Hi Folks, I wouldn’t say that Christmas is largely a secular Holiday. Perhaps some folks don’t quite understand it’s true meaning but that doesn’t change it into anything other than what it has always been. Merry Christmas Everyone! Brian
I had no idea on some of these countries. It’s interesting that Russia celebrates January 7th. I’m not sure I could live somewhere that Christmas is not celebrated. I think it’s also important to remember that each culture and country do celebrate Christmas in their own way, just not in the way that I do. Merry Christmas!
I’m open to seeing how other culture’s celebrate Christmas. Here in the USA we’re conditioned to buying stuff for people that are the most important to us. As you get older this practice gets old. I’m very interested in what other cultures do during this time.
I just want to mention that if you ask an Orthodox Christian why they celebrate on Jan 7th, they will explain that they are celebrating according to the traditional Calendar used at the time of our Saviour’s Birth, and by the Orthodox since then, called the Julian Calendar. They celebrate on DEC 25th, according to the Julian Calendar. For them when it’s Dec 25th on the Gregorian Calendar—changed by Pope Gregory—it’s Dec 12th and they celebrate St Spyridon and St Herman of Alaska. So they are not really celebrating Christmas in January, but on their December 25th, which is the original one before the calendar was changed. (For those in the U.S., England was still on the Julian Calendar when America was established and that’s why some documents are dated o.s., meaning Old Style.) The Orthodox have a very rich tradition of getting ready for Nativity with a 40 day fast from meat and dairy, and many beautiful hymns and chants starting days before to prepare spiritually for the Feast. Then they celebrate Christ’s Birth for 12 days, until the Feast of His Baptism. During that 12 days they greet one another with “Christ is Born!” And the other person replies “Glorify Him!”
Your blog was amazing
Have you been to Indonesia? In some areas of Indonesia also didn’t celebrate Christmas because the majority here are Muslims, but most Muslims here also often celebrate Christmas as it has a multi-religious family.
Besides here many diverse travel destinations that could be an option if you’re wanting a tropical holiday and the destinations to escape the winter :)
Mostly I see every Culture celebrate Christmas. in India Christmas is also celebrated.
Abhishek, In India only Christians Celebrate Christmas. and its only 2.3% of total population.so we can’t say that Indians also celebrate Christmas.
Megan, that’s a great list!
Instead of celebrating Christmas, travelling to a Muslim or a Buddhist country is a much better choice :)
The only thing I love about this time of the year in Europe are the Christmas markets. But when it comes to exchanging gifts (read: commercialism) and family gatherings (read: who’s got the most annoying story to tell and thing to complain about), I’d rather be someplace else.
Cheers,
N.
hi.im nilufar from iran. most of us are muslim but we have christian people also! so we celebrate chrismas in our streets.specially in the capital of iran (tehran).tnx
I don’t think like. There are many mine friend’s living Turkey and they celebrate Christmas. anyhow, Law is different and tradition is different.What applies in society is sometimes different rather what is law of land.
I agree too with Davis, somehow this is the debate between the old school of thought and new school of thought. Although Christmas is a religious event but in now these days it Celebrated with a new approach.Now Turkey is secular land rather religious and more religious tolerated society other than.
I understand you are saying that most people in those countries don’t celebrate Christmas, but if there’s a neighbourhood or family who wants to, they can do it, right?
And, as some people have said, I also love the European Christmas markets.
I think Russia & Maldives are best countries from my point of view too. Maldives is closest and easy to get VISA too for most of the country and had best beaches and adventure options & Russia is always priority place for all who prefer world travel. Thanks Megan for sharing the posts and experience, Don’t you think Australia too is a good option to travel in December? Just joking!!
One country is missing in the list and that is Pakistan. It’s a Muslim populated country and i never see any Christmas celebration in here, although on 25 December we have public holiday due to our founder born on this date.
hohohomerrychristmas
Thank you for posting countries that don’t celebrate christmas! I’m happy they exist! I don’t like christmas at all and wonder what the point is in celebrating it anyway. Just to spend a lot of money and overeat? Many people are in debt after such holidays, while if you save that money you could actually be much better off. And by not eating, nobody would have to ‘lose weight’ afterwards.
As to the religious aspects, it’s actually a pagan holiday if you start investigating the origins.
Anyway, to each their own! Any person should do as they see fit for themselves.
Ofcourse i meant: by not ‘overeating’ instead of by not eating. :)
Thanks this helped me so mush?
Wow !! There are many places that do not celebrate Christmas … more than I imagined. Here where I live everyone enjoys this time of the year especially for shopping and parties.
I am from Delhi and now I am in the Maldives for holiday and I think this is the best place for holiday
Well! I never knew that there are so many countries that don’t celebrate Christmas. The list is too long. And Russia celebrating Christmas on 7th jan is also something new to us . Great post as always Meg
I just want to mention that if you ask an Orthodox Christian why they celebrate on Jan 7th, they will explain that they are celebrating according to the traditional Calendar used at the time of our Saviour’s Birth, and by the Orthodox since then, called the Julian Calendar. They celebrate on DEC 25th, according to the Julian Calendar. For them when it’s Dec 25th on the Gregorian Calendar—changed by Pope Gregory—it’s Dec 12th and they celebrate St Spyridon and St Herman of Alaska. So they are not really celebrating Christmas in January, but on their December 25th, which is the original one before the calendar was changed. (For those in the U.S., England was still on the Julian Calendar when America was established and that’s why some documents are dated o.s., meaning Old Style.) The Orthodox have a very rich tradition of getting ready for Nativity with a 40 day fast from meat and dairy, and many beautiful hymns and chants starting days before to prepare spiritually for the Feast. Then they celebrate Christ’s Birth for 12 days, until the Feast of His Baptism. During that 12 days they greet one another with “Christ is Born!” And the other person replies “Glorify Him!” It is not a secular holiday but a truly beautiful celebration of Christ’s birth as the Saviour of mankind from sin and death.
nice blog
intresting for reading
Well, Most of the places where people do not enjoy Christmas in India as well, well do you think everyone can enjoy the festival of Christmas, as people go as per their religion.
Interesting, but I love Christmas!
Thanks for this rough survey about who is celebrating Christmas and who isn’t.
i new that allredy :)
I would say Christmas is for children.
I stopped celebrating Christmas years ago following an epiphany I experienced whilst stood queueing with my Christmas shopping in a supermarket one year; a supermarket which resembled a lunatic asylum during a full moon. I thought to myself: ‘I don’t have to do this anymore.’
That would be the last time I celebrated Christmas and I’ve never looked back.
I actually hate Christmas now. In recent decades Christmas has turned into a months’ long Black Friday event that starts in September, and even earlier on shopping channels.
Christmas Day is a normal day for me now. It’s wonderful. I feel like I’ve escaped from a prison of mass hysteria.
I’m glad to find a list of entire countries that do not celebrate Christmas. Makes me feel less alone. I live alone and do not celebrate Christmas, but do ‘play along’ as much as required by my relatives. To me, in the whole spectrum of things, it is just another day. It can be a good day, or a bad day, just like any other, but I do hope you have a good day!
Uh most of us Japanese here in japan do NOT celebrate xmas either. Please do not take the words of anime, manga or the dozens online ignorant or clueless gaijins who ONLY see and or live in tiny areas of Japan know as Shinjuku, Shibuya or Osaka etc aka the tourist/foreign areas. But in Japan proper we again do NOT celebrate christmas nor do we eat kfc or McDonald. sigh..
# McDonald Restaurants in countries as per Wikipedia…
1. United States 13,515
2. China 3,500
3. Japan. 2,900
In India, we have govt holiday on Christmas, people celebrate Christmas on office and schools but not at home, we also called Christmas as “Bada Din” means Big day.
Very Nice and informative post that some of the countries are not celebrating Christmas.
Nice Article, Christmas is a traditional festival and joyful festival.
Wow, Interesting Post on Christmas.
Very Informatic post, but in our country we celebrate christmas and go to church with our christians friends. sorry my bad english.
thank you ASHUTOSH (www.historypandit.com
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Nice information,
Thanks for sharing Meg :)
Awesome work… thanks
I love Christmas festival and i also love to go church and it gave me lots of peace while sitting in church. I liked your content, thank you for sharing this wonderful blog.
Appreciate this post so much, look out Maldives!
Though, Israel celebrates Christmas, heavily, just FYI.
Appreciate this post so much, look out Maldives!
Oh, I’m spending Christmas in Turkey!
Naran kaghan valley
I hate Christmas, its PAGAN and has roots that go all the way to Babylon to the worship of Nimrod himself. And Christmas is Roman Catholicism in ithe words its XMass
Hi, Happy new year and i wish god bless you.
I’m from Iran and a Muslim, we celebrate Christmas but not public.
We lived in Dubai for 10 years and really enjoyed ourselves. Although it was indeed a Muslim country, they were very liberal and there were christian churches in the centre of the city. Christmas was a big deal and celebrated by just about everyone who lived there, from all sorts of faiths.
hi
why is Chistmas a thing????????
Unfortunately, despite that most of population of Uzbekistan are muslims, they celebrate Christmas. Mostly the people in those behavior impacted SSSR