Festive Customs Worldwide: Japan's KFC and Australia's Summer Celebrations

Global Holiday Customs Redefine Travel

Global destinations are showcasing a rich array of holiday customs, offering travellers varied ways to engage with the festive period in December 2026 and January 2027. These traditions span from established winter celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere to summer-centric activities in the Southern Hemisphere, providing distinct cultural offerings.

The diverse approaches to marking the holidays, as highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler, underscore how local rituals influence travel decisions and shape visitor itineraries. These customs, whether rooted in ancient heritage or modern adaptations, present unique opportunities for travellers to immerse themselves in local life beyond conventional tourist attractions.

Japan's Distinctive Festive Offerings

In Japan, where Christmas is not a national holiday, the festive season is celebrated with unique customs. A prominent tradition involves families enjoying fried chicken from KFC on Christmas Day, a practice that gained popularity following a 1974 marketing campaign by the brand.

Such is the demand that advance orders are often necessary weeks before December 25 to secure a meal. Complementing this, strawberry shortcake, made with sponge, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries, stands as another favoured festive sweet.

These distinct culinary and celebratory customs offer a different perspective on holiday activities for those visiting Japan during the end-of-year period.

Summer Celebrations and European Traditions

Conversely, Australia embraces a summer Christmas, with celebrations frequently centred around beaches and outdoor gatherings. Traditional Christmas lunch often features seafood, cold roast ham, salads, and pavlova for dessert. Post-lunch activities commonly include backyard cricket or beach games, with sightings of Santa Claus on surf rescue boats being a familiar sight.

Boxing Day, December 26, sees national attention turn to cricket matches or the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Meanwhile, European nations maintain their distinct traditions, such as Italy's La Befana, a gift-giving figure on January 5–6, and Scotland's Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) celebrations, which involve street parties and the 'first-footing' custom for good luck in the year ahead.

Planning Asian Holiday Travel for 2026–27

These varied global customs provide concrete considerations for Asian travellers or those planning trips to Asia for the upcoming 2026–27 holiday period. For instance, individuals intending to visit Japan in December 2026 should specifically arrange their festive meals, such as the popular KFC Christmas feast, well in advance to ensure availability.

Travel companies and tour operators targeting Asian markets can promote tailored holiday packages that highlight these unique cultural activities, moving beyond generic seasonal themes. This focus on specific, dated cultural offerings allows for more precise travel planning and the creation of distinct itineraries for the end-of-year and early-January holiday season.