The Christmas Tree Is One of the World's Oldest and Most Evergreen Traditions

Long before your living room's seasonal centerpiece, cultures around the world marked the darkest time of year with palms, pines, and other greenery.

By Troy Bickham

Podcast: Tumbleweed Christmas Tree

This is how you do the holidays in the desert.

By The Podcast Team

This Family Gave the World the Snow Globe

But did they create the famous one with a starring role in Citizen Kane?

By Carole Rosenblat

Will Venezuela's Christmas Roller-Skating Tradition Make a Comeback?

Las patinatas—"the skating"—dates back to the 1950s.

By Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing

Podcast: Luciadagen

Dive into the origins of a Swedish holiday tradition that evolved from sinister pagan lore to a celebration of light, warmth, and music.

By The Podcast Team

Puzzle Monday: Atlas Obscura Christmas Crossword

By AO Puzzles

The Town Where Santa's Sleigh Is a Surf Boat

In Mooloolaba, Australia, Saint Nick wears sunglasses.

By Tiare Tuuhia

Is 'Mele Kalikimaka' Really the Thing to Say on a Bright Hawaiian Christmas Day?

Popularized by Bing Crosby's kitschy pop classic, the phrase doesn't delight everyone. It also makes no sense.

By Blair Mastbaum

How a White Lie Gave Japan KFC for Christmas

One cunning business maneuver created a tradition and saved a franchise.

By Luke Fater

In Sweden, There Is No Christmas Without Donald Duck

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.

By Natasha Frost

Thoughtful, Surprising Last-Minute Gifts

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.

By Atlas Obscura

Quirky Gifts for the Crafty DIYer

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.

By Atlas Obscura

Delicious Gifts for the Food-Obsessed

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.

By Atlas Obscura

Unique Gifts for the Home

A giving guide from the Atlas Obscura team.

By Atlas Obscura

Unusual Gifts for Book Lovers

A giving guide from the Atlas Obscura team.

By Atlas Obscura

Meet the Sweet Sea Monster of Portuguese Christmas

Lampreia de ovos comes loaded with sugar, eggs, and the long history of glorifying a most peculiar parasite.

By Dania Rodrigues

How to Turn Your Christmas Tree Into Cocktails

Cooking with evergreens has a long history.

By Julia Georgallis

How to Play a Fiery Victorian Christmas Game and Not Get Burned

Snapdragon is not for the faint-hearted.

By Anne Ewbank

Detangling the Devilish Origins of Scandinavia's St. Lucia Buns

The story of this saffron-hued swirl has become as twisted as its dough.

By Sam O'Brien

This Pennsylvanian Winter Punch Is Sweet, Spicy, and Possibly Explosive

Boilo is a favorite across coal country.

By Anne Ewbank

The Danish Christmas Porridge That Appeased a Vengeful 'House Elf'

Once a magical, murderous farmhand, the nisse has transformed into a beloved holiday figure.

By Sam O'Brien

Meet 'Moose Milk,' the Wintry Cocktail of the Canadian Military

Knock out the year with an elixir that can pacify an army.

By Rachel Rummel

World's Largest Christmas Bauble

Every winter, this former planetarium is transformed into a massive, brightly-lit Christmas ornament.

Santa Claus Museum

An entire home filled with over 3,000 pieces of Santa memorabilia in glass cases, walls, on Christmas trees, and even in the bathroom.

Candy Cane Mountains

Swirling layers of white and red rock earned these mountains their festive nickname.

Via dei Presepi

Every day is like Christmas on this street where the traditional Neapolitan nativity scene comes to life.

Leiden's Floating Christmas Market

A market built atop boats is one of the few floating holiday markets in Europe.

Tangub City Christmas Symbols Festival

An annual festival full of illuminated replicas of iconic landmarks from around the world.

National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum

A small museum dedicated to the whimsical tool that turns sugar cookies into works of art.

Toruń Gingerbread Museum

Once a giant gingerbread factory, this space now hosts exhibits and workshops on the historic treat.

Tió de Nadal

Catalonia Tradition: Beating the hollow Christmas log until it defecates in your fireplace.

Oymyakon

The villagers of the coldest inhabited place on Earth adjust to unique challenges presented by day-to-day living.