Christmas light and the red phone box in London; Shutterstock ID 540883987

2020 Ultimate Holiday Guide

2020 has been a year like no other – so why should the holidays be any different? We present to you the KAYAK 2020 Ultimate Holiday Guide: your source of global inspiration for all things Christmassy, cosy, tasty and fun.

Since we’re all likely to be sticking close to home, it’s a great chance to find out about holiday traditions from around the world. And who knows – you may want to make a few of them new traditions for your own family.

We’ve divided the traditions into categories so you can zoom in on just the type of inspiration you’re looking for – from cookies to music to New Year’s. Happy Holidays!

TRADITIONS

You know what to expect during the holiday season in your country – but how do they celebrate in the Philippines, Brazil or Japan? Indulge your wanderlust by checking out these traditional, sometimes quirky and enviable customs from other countries.

In the Philippines…
The Giant Lantern Festival is held in San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.”

A group of young Japanese friends are enjoying Christmas at home.

In Japan…
You celebrate with a new tradition: eating a special Christmas fried chicken dinner.

Friends holding hands while dancing around the Christmas tree .

In Denmark…
You dance and sing around the tree before running in a conga line through the house singing this.

Regent Street Angels Holiday Lights with Double Decker Bus Light Trails in London, United Kingdom; Shutterstock ID 744369256; SF SSA Case with Manager Approval: SF6759285; Job: ; Client/Licensee: ; Other:

In the UK…
You celebrate Boxing Day on the 26 December by shopping the year’s biggest retail deals.

In Australia…
It’s one big party signalling the start of summer, complete with prawns and champagne.

Envelope with wishes list for Santa Claus

In the US…
Kids write a letter to Santa Claus addressed to his home in North Pole, Alaska.

Christmas living room decorations. Beautiful xmas lights garland, decorated christmas tree near fireplace. Modern interior design, magic atmosphere. Winter holidays night, candles and present boxes

In Hungary…
It’s not Santa who brings the gifts, it’s baby Jesus.

Mitre or miter book, gifts and staff of saint nicholas. Vintage paper background

In the Netherlands…
On 5 December “Sinterklaas” comes to your house and leaves a bag full of gifts for the kids.

Broom close-up with pine branches and light bulbs

In Norway…
You hide your broom so the witches – who traditionally come out on Christmas Eve – can’t steal it.

Man in Santa Claus costume near Christmas tree holding a golden gift box, Christmas present background with bokeh lights beauty

In Brazil…
You pick up a letter from a child in need at the post office and send them a gift.

GIFTS

What do you get for the person who’s usually out exploring the world and has spent the last year not travelling at all? A good dose of something worldly to help them stay calm and be patient. Browse through the holiday vendors here for some good ideas.

Babbel makes learning languages easy and accessible to everyone. This winter, start learning a new language and get a 20% discount on 1-year subscription.

Discover the perfect gift for people who can’t wait to travel again. With a GetYourGuide gift card, they can choose from thousands of experiences around the world to look forward to, complete with free cancellation and flexible booking.

FOOD & DRINKS

Cookies

There’s a reason why Christmas scented candles often smell like spiced cookies: they instantly take you to your happy place. Try some new spices and shapes with these worldly wonders.

Lebkuchenhaus

German cookie houses

Snöbollar

Swedish snowball cookies

Joulutorttu

Finnish pinwheel cookies

Khruchiki

Polish fritters

Christmas cookies

American sugar cookies

Speculaas

Dutch spiced ginger biscuits

Vaniljekranse

Danish butter cookies

Christmas Dinner

This is it: the holiday moment everyone’s been waiting for. Get some new ideas for this year’s feast with suggestions and recipes below, curated from all around the world.

The UK

Turkey dinner complete with Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and Yorkshire puddings

boiled cod fish with oil and olives on white dish

Portugal

Salted cod and potatoes all the way

Hungary

Halaszle, a hearty fish stew, and fonott kalacs, a fluffy braided bread

Nicaragua

Nacatamales, a Nicaraguan-style tamale steamed in banana leaves

Germany

Roasted goose with potato dumplings and cooked red cabbage

The Netherlands

Gourmetten, a raclette dinner with meats, cheeses, veggies and sauces

Brazil

Stuffed turkey with pineapple, rice with raisins and farofa, a toasted cassava flour dish

Traditional mexican rosemary with mole sauce and dried shrimps also called

Mexico

Romeritos, a stew with potatoes and shrimp cakes. Spinach can be used instead of romeritos.

Israel

Latkes, a Jewish potato pancake served with applesauce and sourcream.

Argentina

Vitel toné, a delicate dish of sliced veal topped with tuna sauce.

Support your local restaurants this holiday season.

Order take-out or dine at a restaurant, if restrictions allow.

Check out restaurants near you on OpenTable.

Find a restaurant

Desserts

Now that you can’t eat another bite, it’s time for dessert! Your sweet tooth will be surprised and delighted by any of these decadent treats.

Spain

Turrón

The UK

Christmas pudding

Denmark

Ris a l’amande with a hidden whole almond

Hungary

Bejgli with poppy seeds

Brazil

Rabanada

Mexico

Buñuelos Mexicanos

New Zealand

Pavlova

Morocco

Sfenj

Drinks

It’s the festive season and you’ve just come in from the cold. What do we crave most when we are looking to warm up? A holiday drink of course. Most are served hot and are mixed with alcohol to give you that extra kick. And they all pair nicely with board games.

Christmas mulled wine punch. Festive red hot toddy cocktail, drink with cranberries and citrus fruits; Shutterstock ID 1569791311

Scandinavia	Gløgg	Recipe
Jamaica	Sorrel punch	Recipe
The UK	Eggnog	Recipe
Bulgaria	Greyano Vino	Recipe
Mexico	Ponche Navideño	Recipe
Ireland	Irish coffee	Recipe

ENTERTAINMENT

Music

Nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit like holiday songs – whether it be about hearts still healing from last year or about ending war (in Portuguese). Though you may not know them all, these songs from around the world just keep getting better with the years. Crank it up and enjoy.

Listen on Spotify

Movies

Turn off the lights, snuggle on the couch with some popcorn and a loved one, and push the play button. Just like with songs, over the years these films have become synonymous with the holidays.

This 90s American family comedy follows a young boy defending his house against robbers after his family goes on a trip and accidentally leaves him behind.

Love can change you, especially around Christmas. This British blockbuster will have you laughing and crying as you watch a group of Londonites find love.

This beloved classic from 1946 reveals a man in crisis as he wonders if the world would have been better without him.

A family is about to lose its farm in rural Australia unless it can pay off the debt with winnings from a racehorse. But first it needs to rescue it from horse thieves.

Virtual Entertainment

By now, it’s pretty apparent that not many will be out and about this holiday season. The silver lining, though, is that many companies are making their traditionally physical events virtual. Experience how other countries like to get in the holiday mood here.

Panto in the UK

Pantomime shows are big in the UK at Christmas time, especially with kids.

Christmas concert

Hear Bach Christmas favorites from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Berlin’s Christmas markets

Take a 360 degree tour of three of Berlin’s finest.

York Christmas market

Shop York’s markets without braving the cold.

Moscow’s The Great Nutcracker

Experience the magic in the comfort of your living room.

Chicago’s A Christmas Carol

Listen to a performance of this classic as it comes alives in your imagination.

Santa’s hometown in Finland

See what’s happening in the 24-hour live streaming from Rovaniemi.

NEW YEAR’S

It’s safe to say that the whole world is hoping that 2021 is better than 2020 has been. Well, it just so happens that many countries’ New Year’s Eve traditions involve doing something crazy to bring luck for the next year… so get those grapes out and let’s make 2021 fantastic.

Glittering burning sparkler against blurred bokeh light background

Spain
Get luck for the new year by eating 12 grapes during the 12 strokes of midnight New Year’s Eve, with your right foot forward to start the year on the “right foot”.

The Netherlands
Snack on oliebollen: a fried ball of dough eaten warm, sometimes with raisins or other fillings and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Denmark
Watch “Dinner for One” and jump from a chair or sofa into the new year at midnight.

Italy
Break something old at midnight – preferably nothing expensive or an heirloom – to bring good luck.

Myanmar
Cleanse yourself of the previous year’s bad luck and start fresh at the Thingyan Water Festival.

China
For the Chinese New Year, it will bring luck to paint your door red – the luckiest colour in China.

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