Snowy chapel with Christmas tree in the Bavarian Alps, Germany

Traditions that travel. Christmas Eve

As Christmas Eve arrives, millions embrace customs that connect us to our roots—or introduce us to entirely new cultures. In snowy regions like the Bavarian Alps in Germany—a frost-kissed landscape seen in today's image—festive lights glow against winter's chill. Elsewhere, the sun blazes brightly: think of the Caribbean, Australia or Brazil, where Christmas often means golden beaches instead of frosty mornings.

In Germany, you might wander through a festive market with a steaming cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) in hand, weaving from one stall to the next. In Caracas, Venezuela, you'll join crowds rollerblading to Christmas Mass. Head to Mexico, and you'll find quirky radish sculptures from the Night of the Radishes festival, left over from the night before. For those drawn to mystery, Ukraine decorates trees with spider webs and Wales celebrates Mari Lwyd—a horse's skull adorned and paraded door to door. The list of traditions is endless. What feels ordinary to one may be an entirely new world to someone else. So tonight, open your heart—and maybe your door—someone might be eager to discover your holiday tradition.