What country don't do Christmas?

Several countries do not officially observe or widely celebrate Christmas, treating December 25th as a normal working day. Major nations that do not formally celebrate it include Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, China (mainland), and Somalia. Reasons include religious traditions (primarily Islamic or Buddhist) and secular/socialist policies.

Which countries do not celebrate Christmas?

Countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macau), the Comoros, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, the Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, the Sahrawi Republic, ...

What places don't do Christmas?

10 places that don't celebrate Christmas that you might end up as a tourist

• Bhutan.
• China.
• Japan.
• Jordan.
• Maldives.
• Morocco.
• Oman.
• Thailand.

Where in the world is it not Christmas?

Predominantly Muslim nations such as Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen don't recognise it as a public holiday. Similarly, Bhutan, a Buddhist country, and Hindu-majority nations like Mauritania, also do not celebrate Christmas. In many of these places, December 25th is just another day.

What country banned Christmas for 400 years?

Why was Christmas in Scotland banned for 400 years? - BBC News.

Countries that don't Celebrate Christmas in 2025

Who banned Christmas in the UK?

Supported by his Puritan forces, Cromwell believed it was his mission to cleanse the country of decadence. In 1644 he enforced an Act of Parliament banning Christmas celebrations. Christmas was regarded by the Puritans as a wasteful festival that threatened core Christian beliefs.

In which country is Christmas illegal?

North Korea

Christmas is effectively banned. The government suppresses religious observance and instead promotes state holidays, including the birthdays of the Kim dynasty leaders.

Do Muslims support Christmas?

Adam Zeidan is an Assistant Managing Editor, having joined Encyclopædia Britannica in 2018. He covers a range of topics related primarily to the Middle East and North Africa. Christmas is traditionally a Christian festival, with markedly Christian teachings, and so Muslims do not typically celebrate the holiday.

Where to go if you hate Christmas?

Our top Alternative Christmas holidays

• Botswana camping safaris. From €2120. 14 days ex flights. Botswana's premier game parks, Okavango Moremi Savuti Chobe. ...
• Finland winter activity holiday & Northern Lights. From £2079 to £3299. 8 days ex flights. ...
• Cuba cultural holiday. From €690 to €1115. 8 days ex flights.

Do Japanese celebrate Christmas?

Yes, Japan celebrates Christmas, but as a largely secular, commercial, and romantic event rather than a religious holiday, with unique traditions like KFC for dinner and strawberry shortcake, especially focusing on Christmas Eve as a date night, though December 25th isn't a federal holiday. Cities light up with stunning illuminations, restaurants offer special menus, and couples exchange gifts, while the general population enjoys it as a festive winter occasion, distinct from Western religious observances.
 

Where can I go on holiday to avoid Christmas?

Most countries around the Mediterranean are no-go zones if you're trying to avoid Christmas, but Tunisia's all yours. Like Egypt and Morrocco, it's another North African country where Islam's the main local religion, so Christmas isn't an important part of the cultural calendar.

Do North Korea celebrate Christmas?

No, North Korea does not officially celebrate Christmas; it's effectively banned as a Western, foreign holiday, with the state promoting strict atheism and loyalty to the Kim dynasty, viewing Christianity as a threat, though tiny, secretive underground Christian communities exist with severe risks, while some state-organized decorations appear for Kim Jong-suk's birthday (Kim Jong-un's grandmother) on December 24th instead. 

How many Brits don't celebrate Christmas?

YouGov's Big Survey on Christmas finds that 89% of Britons say they celebrate the occasion. Older men prove slightly less likely to say that they celebrate Christmas than other groups.

What country does not like Christmas?

They include Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, North Korea, Libya, Mauritania, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. In these countries, Christmas is not considered a day off from work.

Do Africans celebrate Christmas?

Whilst African countries do know it is Christmas and celebrate the occasion, it's less commercial with a modest tree and food with the focus very much being on giving and family.

What religions don't do Christmas?

Rejection of Christmas among certain groups

• Judaism.
• Islam.
• Restorationist Movement.

Where to travel if you don't like Christmas?

Laos. If your perfect Christmas 2025 involves not hearing Christmas music ever again, Laos is calling. Even in major cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Christmas decorations are rare. Over 60% of the population is Buddhist, and Western influence remains lighter than in nearby Thailand or Vietnam.

What is the 5 rule for Christmas?

The "5 Things for Christmas Rule" (or "Five Gift Rule") is a popular gift-giving guideline that limits each recipient to five thoughtful presents, typically structured as: something they Want, something they Need, something to Wear, something to Read, and something special/to Share (or Do). This method encourages quality over quantity, focusing on meaningful items that cover different aspects of a person's life rather than endless toys or clutter.
 

Can Muslims say "merry Christmas"?

Whether Muslims can say "Merry Christmas" is debated, with some scholars allowing it as a general greeting of goodwill (especially in secular contexts) as long as it doesn't affirm Christian beliefs about Jesus' divinity, while others advise avoiding it to prevent endorsing a religious festival contrary to Islamic tenets, suggesting neutral phrases like "Happy Holidays" instead. The core issue is balancing kindness and social harmony with core Islamic beliefs, particularly the strict monotheism (Tawhid) that rejects Jesus as God's son, which Christmas celebrates. 

What do British Muslims do at Christmas?

He says it's common for families to have a family meal, and in order to avoid accusations that this is a Christmas celebration, they might avoid cooking a roast. A smaller number might decorate their homes. They may send cards of “Season's Greetings” and offer gifts to their neighbours and colleagues.

Can Muslims put up a Christmas tree?

Having a Christmas tree for decoration is not allowed in Islam. Because celebrating Christmas in Islam is prohibited. Therefore, any act of celebration like exchanging gifts, having a decorated tree, or imitating their food is not allowed.

Why was Christmas banned in the UK?

They saw Christmas as a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, to (in Stubbs' words) the 'great dishonour of God'. The discontent felt within the Puritan community towards festivals led to the enactment of forceful legislation even before Cromwell's protectorate.

Is Christmas banned in Japan?

Yes, everything is open. Japan is not a Christian country, has no Christian tradition, and only celebrates Christmas in a commercial sense (selling Christmas cakes, getting people to buy KFC for dinner).

Is Christmas banned in Turkey?

Christmas isn't officially celebrated in Turkey with over 9nine percent of tourists identifying as Muslim, December 25th passes like any other day. No public holidays, no nationwide festivities. However, minority celebration of the day is not restricted at all.