Christmas Around the World Coloring Pages

Christmas Around the World coloring pages are a fun way for kids to explore holiday traditions, geography, and cultures from around the globe. Each printable introduces a different country’s festive gift-giver, from Japan’s Segatsu-San and Russia’s Ded Moroz to Ireland’s Daidí na Nollaig and Finland’s Joulupukki.

We’ve used these printables as part of our December homeschool routine for years. My son loved discovering how differently Christmas is celebrated around the world, whether it was learning about Finland’s Joulupukki or Japan’s New Year traditions.

Perfect for homeschool, classrooms, or holiday units, these free printables encourage kids to learn about global Christmas customs while enjoying a creative coloring activity.

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Santa Around the World Coloring Pages

One of my favorite things about teaching Christmas traditions is seeing how quickly kids realize that Christmas is celebrated differently around the world.

These Christmas Around the World coloring pages introduce children to festive gift-givers from different countries, from familiar figures like Santa Claus to traditions they may never have heard of before.

From Russia’s Ded Moroz to Spain’s Reyes Magos, each page includes a festive character, a few fun facts, and a coloring activity that helps bring holiday traditions to life.

Here are some of the countries and Christmas figures included in the printable:

Ireland – Daidi na Nollaig

In Ireland, Santa is known as Daidí na Nollaig. On Christmas Eve, families often light a candle in the window to symbolize welcome and hope.

Kids leave out mince pies, and sometimes a glass of Guinness, for Santa’s visit. December 26th is also celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day, a time for charity and community, with some children taking part in Wren Day parades.

Pair this with our Christmas in Ireland worksheets for more cultural details.

Russia – Ded Moroz

If your child thinks every country celebrates with Santa Claus, Russia is a fun surprise. Here, the holiday gift-giver is Ded Moroz, or Father Frost, who arrives on New Year’s Eve with his granddaughter, Snegurochka.

New Year is one of Russia’s biggest celebrations, with decorated trees, family feasts, and plenty of festive traditions.

Finland – Joulupukki

Finland’s Christmas gift-giver is Joulupukki, whose name means “Yule Goat.” Even though he looks a lot like Santa Claus today, the name comes from much older traditions.

One tradition I find especially charming is that some children recite a poem or sing a song before receiving their presents. Another favorite tradition is hiding an almond in rice pudding, the person who finds it is said to have good luck in the coming year.

Sweden – Jultomten

Jultomten has roots in Swedish folklore and is helped by small gnome-like figures called tomte or nisse.

Families gather for a Christmas Eve feast before Jultomten delivers presents in person. It’s a lovely mix of old traditions and the Santa story most children already know.

If you’d like to keep exploring, World of Cookies for Santa is a wonderful book that introduces Christmas traditions and festive treats from around the world.

Spain – Reyes Magos

Many children in Spain wait for the Reyes Magos, or Three Kings, instead of Santa Claus.

On the evening of January 5, colorful parades fill towns and cities, and children leave out their shoes before going to bed. Small gifts arrive overnight, making Epiphany one of the most exciting parts of the Christmas season.

France – Pere Noel

In France, Père Noël delivers gifts on Christmas Eve. He’s usually shown wearing a long red robe and is a familiar part of the festive season.

After midnight Mass, many families enjoy le Réveillon, a special holiday meal that can include everything from oysters to the traditional bûche de Noël cake.

USA & England – Santa Claus

This is the Santa most children recognize, a red suit, reindeer, and a sleigh full of presents.

On Christmas Eve, children in the USA usually leave out milk and cookies, while many families in England leave mince pies and sherry. By morning, stockings are filled and presents are waiting under the tree.

Japan – Segatsu-San

Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday in Japan, but the New Year is celebrated across the country.

Some children learn about Segatsu-San, the “Year-End Man,” who is linked with New Year traditions rather than Christmas. Families clean their homes, send greeting cards, and prepare to welcome a fresh start to the year.

If your child becomes curious about the culture, pairing this with a Japanese language curriculum can make the learning even more meaningful.

Netherlands – Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands weeks before Christmas, traditionally by boat, before riding a white horse through town.

Children leave out their shoes on St. Nicholas’ Eve, hoping to find treats the next morning. It’s a tradition that’s full of excitement and one that’s quite different from the Christmas morning celebrations many children are used to.

You might also enjoy our Christmas in Germany coloring pages for more traditions tied to St. Nicholas.

Christmas Around the World Books

We enjoyed reading these books alongside our Christmas Around the World activities. They were a simple way to keep learning about Christmas traditions from different countries.

• Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe – A beautiful introduction to Christmas traditions from around the world, with engaging illustrations and stories that help kids compare celebrations across different countries.
• Teach and Celebrate the Year: 118 Fun Days to Explore – Packed with seasonal activities and fun facts, this book offers creative ideas for exploring holidays all year long, including Christmas traditions from different countries.
• Let’s Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World – This picture book introduces kids to holidays and celebrations across cultures. It’s a great starting point for learning how families around the world mark special days, including Christmas.

These books pair perfectly with the coloring pages and help bring Christmas traditions from around the world to life.

More Holiday Around the World Activities

If your kids are enjoying the coloring pages, here are a few more festive ways to explore global traditions this December:

• Christmas around the World worksheets – These printable activities focus on country flags with a holiday twist, great for geography practice with a festive feel.
• Christmas in the Philippines coloring pages – Explore parols, festive foods, and other unique Filipino holiday traditions through simple, engaging illustrations.
• Christmas in Italy worksheets – Learn about La Befana, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and more with fun printables that bring Italian customs to life.
• Christmas in Mexico coloring sheets – Discover Las Posadas, piñatas, and the Three Kings with pages that mix cultural facts and creative fun.

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Last Updated on 29 June 2026 by Clare Brown