Around the World, Christmas Eve Is the Main Event - and Americans Are Finally Catching On
- Christianne Klein
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
For many Americans, Christmas Eve has traditionally been a warm-up night - a time for last-minute wrapping, holiday movies, and helping kids get to bed early so that Christmas morning can steal the spotlight. But step outside the U.S., and you quickly realize something surprising: in much of the world, Christmas Eve is the holiday.
Across Europe, Latin America, and Scandinavia, December 24 is the night when families gather, gifts are exchanged, and the most meaningful holiday rituals take place. Travelers returning home often describe Christmas Eve abroad as magical — a quiet, candlelit, and intimate celebration that contrasts sharply with the hectic gift frenzy many Americans associate with Christmas Day.
In countries around the world, everything happens on the 24th:
Germany: Children receive gifts on Heiligabend, and families share an intimate meal by candlelight.
Poland: Wigilia begins only after the first star appears in the sky, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. The evening includes symbolic dishes, shared prayers, and even an empty place setting for an unexpected guest.
Scandinavia: In Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, Christmas Eve is the peak celebration, with family gatherings and gift-giving taking center stage.
Spain and Latin America: Nochebuena is a night-long celebration with family feasts, music, and often a visit to midnight Mass.
Italy: La Vigilia focuses on the Feast of the Seven Fishes, followed by gift-giving and family time.
The appeal of Christmas Eve lies in its intimacy. Unlike Christmas Day, which can feel rushed or overly gift-focused, the evening of the 24th invites families to slow down. Candles are lit, meals are shared, and conversations linger well into the night (or right before Midnight Mass). It’s a night built on anticipation rather than excess, with the focus on togetherness, ritual, and presence.
Increasingly, American families are starting to embrace this mindset. Travelers who have celebrated Christmas Eve abroad report bringing elements of it back home: opening one meaningful gift on the 24th, sharing a special candlelit dinner, or attending a local holiday service. We had the chance to do this last year when we spent Christmas Eve in Australia, singing carols with new friends and experiencing a magical holiday abroad. Many families, ours included, say that these small changes make the holiday feel richer and more intentional, without the stress of doing “everything” on Christmas Day.
From a travel perspective, Christmas Eve offers something increasingly rare: stillness. Major cities that normally buzz with activity: Paris, Rome, London, Prague, soften on the evening of December 24. Streets grow quiet, restaurants feel intimate, and churches and town squares glow under candlelight. It’s a chance for travelers to experience destinations at their most authentic, participating in the culture rather than merely observing it.
In a world that moves faster every year, traditions that slow down time feel more meaningful. Christmas Eve encourages families to focus on rituals, gratitude, and shared experiences - reminding us that the holiday is about more than presents or perfection. Americans may be late to the party, but once you experience Christmas Eve the way much of the world does, it’s hard to imagine celebrating it any other way.
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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