Christmas Around the World
And the Magic You Find on the Road
december 2025
A new blog post from a super Christmassy La Paz and Bolivia. Today I’m talking a bit more about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, how it feels to travel in December, and all those small December moments, the atmosphere, the traditions you meet on the road, the unexpected celebrations, and how travel changes the way we experience the holidays. And in our podcast, we go even deeper, you’ll hear from travelers who are on the road right now, what they miss, how they celebrate, and what Christmas looks like when you’re far from home.
Café del Mundo Christmas Celebration
Christmas is fully in the air here at Café del Mundo, and we’re enjoying every moment of it. This year, two of our favorite brunches are back: El Polo Norte, sweet, cozy, and delicious, and El Nórdico, with our much-loved beetroot sandwich and meatballs. And just like every year, our Christmas tree slowly fills up with small Christmas greetings from travelers from all around the world, little notes, little stories, and a lot of shared warmth. Together with hot chocolate, Christmas cappuccinos, and cozy world Christmas music, it all creates the perfect December mood. Come by, warm up, and celebrate with us, we’re ready for a super Christmassy season.
When the World Dresses Up for Christmas
December has this special way of transforming places, no matter the weather, sunny, rainy, or snowy. Around the world, the month shows up in its own way, shaped by local feelings and daily life. Lights appear in windows, music fills streets and markets, and cities feel brighter, louder, and more connected. Christmas is celebrated in more than 160 countries, and everywhere it takes on local traditions, flavors, and colors, while still carrying that familiar sense of warmth and togetherness.
And then there are the more surprising places, like Japan, Turkey, and Israel, where Christmas isn’t a national holiday, yet December still shows up in small ways: in shop windows, cafés, and quiet corners of the city. What’s beautiful is that even travelers from countries without Christmas traditions still enjoy being part of it, trying the food, sharing the moment, and cozying up for a while. You start to notice the season not only in decorations, but in smells, small rituals, and the way people naturally gather. It’s a reminder that Christmas doesn’t depend on snow or religion, it’s the atmosphere that makes the world feel a little brighter.
Christmas Traditions You Meet on the Road
One of the best things about traveling in December is discovering the small and unexpected Christmas traditions that different countries keep close to their hearts. In some places, Christmas smells like cinnamon and candles, and in others it smells like grilled corn, tropical fruit, or fresh bread from a street market. You might find yourself in a country where people celebrate on the 24th during the day, 24 th at midnight, or one where the big moment is early morning on the 25th.Food changes everywhere too, from Swedish gingerbread and julbord, christmas tables to Mexican tamales, Italian panettone, Filipino bibingka, and Bolivian buñuelos with hot api.Some countries sing carols in churches, others dance in the streets, and some celebrate with fireworks that light up the sky long after midnight.
And when you travel, you quickly notice how these traditions blend together in hostels, cafés, and small gatherings where people from all over the world share their own way of celebrating.
It’s a beautiful mix, different cultures, different customs, but the same warm feeling of being part of something special.
Fun fact:
In Bolivia, Christmas Eve dinner can last late into the night, and if the dinner is delayed, the presents are too. Gifts usually appear after midnight, and sometimes not until the early morning hours.
Finding Christmas When You’re Far From Home
When you travel in December, you quickly learn that Christmas isn’t tied to one place, you can find it almost anywhere. Sometimes it comes through small things: a candle in a window, a cup of something warm, or a familiar song playing in a café.Many travelers create their own holiday feeling with simple traditions, a little decoration, a playlist from home, or a special meal shared with new friends.
Some cities offer their own version of Christmas: local markets, street music, or small celebrations that feel different but still comforting. And even in places where Christmas isn’t part of the culture, there’s often a tiny spark of the season, restaurants with a holiday dish, a tree in a hotel lobby, or people gathering just to enjoy the moment. Traveling in December teaches you that home can be something you feel, not only a place you go back to. And no matter where you are, you can always create a bit of your own Christmas magic.
How Travel Changes the Way We Celebrate
Traveling during Christmas shows you that traditions don’t have to look the same every year to feel meaningful. When you’re far from home, you start creating your own version of the holiday, a mix of what you grew up with and what you discover on the road. It becomes less about presents and more about connection, shared food, and those quiet December moments that make you feel grounded.
You learn to appreciate small rituals: lighting a candle, cooking something familiar, or calling someone you love from the other side of the world. You also realize how beautiful it is to be open to new customs, a different meal, a new song, or a unique way of celebrating. These experiences stay with you long after the trip, and they slowly change how you see Christmas in the future.In the end, travel reminds you that the heart of Christmas is simple: feel present, connect with people, and carry a bit of warmth wherever you go.
A Warm December Hug in La Paz
December can feel different when you’re far from home, but it doesn’t have to feel lonely. It’s a month when homesickness can show up a little more than usual, and that’s completely okay. That’s exactly why we’re here: to give you a place to land, to warm up, and to feel connected, even on the other side of the world.
If you’re in La Paz this December, come visit us at Café del Mundo, Travel del Mundo, and Tambo. Be part of the celebrations, enjoy the food, join the moments, and feel the atmosphere that brings travelers together from all around the world. You can also stay connected through TravelZine, our online travel magazine filled with travel news, local updates, and inspiration for what’s coming up, both in La Paz and beyond.
Here, you’re never just passing through, you’re part of the story, part of the community, and part of the Christmas warmth we create together. And most of all, you’re never alone here, we’re here for you.
