How Different Cultures Celebrate Christmas in Bristol
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Christmas in Bristol is an exciting time to be in the city🎄 For international students in Bristol, it’s an opportunity to blend the traditions they grew up with in their home countries while embracing new traditions in the UK.
With students from all corners of the world, Bristol lights up at Christmas time with diverse holiday celebrations, with a unique mix of old and new traditions. We all celebrate Christmas in our own way; so, let’s look at how international students from various cultures celebrate Christmas, both back home and in Bristol – do you follow any of these traditions?
Christmas in Germany: Markets, Advent & Cosy Traditions
For German students, Christmas is all about the Weihnachtsmarkt – the iconic Christmas market filled with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread treats like Lebkuchen. Advent is a key part of the season, marked with Adventskranz wreaths and Adventskalender full of sweets or mini gifts.
In the UK this might all found familiar, Christmas markets and advent calendars have become hugely popular, with Bristol’s own markets giving a nod to the traditional German experience (even if nothing quite beats the real thing!).
Christmas in Mexico: Las Posadas & Festive Flavours
Mexican Christmas celebrations are lively, colourful, and full of community. One of the biggest traditions is Las Posadas, where families reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, sing carols, and share delicious dishes such as tamales and ponche.
Bristol Tip: Want to make your own tamales this year? Head to OtomĂ in Clifton – an independent Mexican shop selling authentic ingredients.
Christmas in India: Midnight Mass & Sweet Celebrations
India’s Christmas traditions vary across regions, but many include midnight Mass, colourful decorations, carol singing, and feasts featuring curries, bebinca, and festive sweets. Lots of houses in India, much like the UK, are decorated with Christmas trees and nativity scenes.
In Bristol, you can experience midnight Mass at the stunning Bristol Cathedral, St Nicholas Church, or St Mary Redcliffe (and most churches in the city!) – a great way to mix traditional Indian celebrations with local UK festive culture.
Christmas in Sweden: Julbord & Cosy Festive Films
Swedish Christmas centres around Julbord, a Christmas Eve feast featuring dishes like pickled herring, meatballs, and julskinka. Families also enjoy drinking glögg and eating lussebullar.
A classic Swedish tradition is watching Kalle Anka (Donald Duck) on Christmas Eve. Why not introduce your favourite Christmas movie to your Bristol flatmates and start your own student tradition? A feast and film night sounds like a great Christmas Eve to us!
Christmas in Japan: Cakes, Lights & KFC Traditions
Japanese Christmas is quite modern, known for romantic dinners, gift-giving, strawberry Christmas cakes, and – yes – KFCÂ Christmas dinners! What started as a 1970s marketing campaign is now a national festive custom.
While central Bristol doesn’t have a KFC, there are tons of amazing fried chicken spots if you want to try a Japanese-inspired Christmas meal with friends. Fried chicken date anyone?
Christmas in the Philippines: The World’s Longest Festive Season
If you love Christmas and all things festive, you will love this! Filipinos famously celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world – from September to January. Christmas includes Simbang Gabi (dawn Masses), vibrant parols (star lanterns), and the huge Noche Buena feast with dishes like lechĂłn,bibingka, and pancit.
So if anyone in Bristol says it’s “too early” for Christmas songs… remember you’re actually ‘late’ in the Philippines!
Christmas in China: A Modern, Festive Take
While Christmas isn’t a national holiday in China, it’s widely celebrated in cities through lights, decorations, gift-giving, and festive food. Students often enjoy Christmas parties, shopping trips, and meals featuring dishes like jiaozi.
Bristol’s sparkling high streets, Christmas lights, and busy shops feel very similar to the festive atmosphere in major Chinese cities.
A Global Christmas in Bristol
Bristol’s cultural diversity means international students bring Christmas traditions from all over the world – making the city feel warm, welcoming, and full of many different exciting celebrations every December.
Whether you’re cooking tamales, decorating with parols, watching holiday films, or shopping at Christmas markets, Bristol is the perfect place to celebrate in whichever way you please.
However you celebrate, Urban Student wishes you a very joyful and festive #MerryBristmas!
Published: 15.12.25 by Phoebe Clutton
