Christmas in South Africa

Christmas in Africa is focused on religious traditions but doesn’t lack fun – after church, African people get together with family, friends, and neighbors for a traditional lunch.

South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, so white Christmas isn’t a thing there, but the festive spirit is similar to the rest of the world regardless.

Still, the warm weather and cultural peculiarities influence many South African Christmas customs and holiday activities.

When Do South Africans Celebrate Christmas?

South Africa incorporates people of different beliefs. About 68% of the population belongs to various Christian denominations, and most of them celebrate Christmas on December 25, the Christmas Day.

Celebrating Christmas on December 24 isn’t as widespread. Some South African countries are Orthodox and celebrate Christmas on January 6 or January 7 because they follow the Julian calendar.

Some South Africans don’t celebrate Christmas because they are Muslim, atheists, Hindus, or pagans.

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations in South Africa aren’t much different from those in the U.S. or Europe. One would expect South Africans to adorn palm trees with baubles and make Santa sand sculptures, but they are pretty conservative regarding festive decorations.

The Christmas tree is a universal symbol of Christmas worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. However, nowhere in the phrase “Christmas tree” is mentioned a fir or spruce. Who said that any tree couldn’t be a Christmas tree?

Firs, spruces, and pines aren’t native to the African continent. Although Europeans that lived in South Africa since the 17th century planted some, they would soon be wiped off the continent considering the growth rate in subtropical climate if Africans used them as Christmas trees.

For this reason, most South Africans use yellowwood instead of spruces and pines. Yellowwood shape is similar to spruce, the sturdy branches hold decorations well, and spiky leaves resemble needles.

Christmas tree type aside, the decorations are rather conventional, usually including baubles, tinsel, string lights, and artificial snow. Many families hang stockings on windows or walls, and streets glisten with extravagant fairy light displays.

For example, the center of Cape Town, Adderley Street, can easily compete with European capitals in decoration festivity, adorned with lit Christmas trains, candy canes, snowmen, baubles, and Santas.

Christmas Food

South African Christmas celebrations are filled with good food. South African Christmas food was heavily influenced by the British, so mince pies, Christmas puddings, roasted meats, and ham are common at local celebrations.

South Africans customarily have a Christmas Day lunch on December 25. Although more and more locals shift towards Christmas Eve dinners under the American influence, the tradition stays strong.

Many African families prefer traditional braai to a formal sit-down dinner. Braai is essentially a good old barbecue, but in South Africa, it has become a national sport that involves numerous etiquette rules and customs.

Braai is traditionally cooked on a fire made with wood rather than charcoal or gas because wood gives food a distinct flavor.

Braai hosts or Braaimasters place great importance on the cooking process and don’t let anyone close to the grill – there’s even a common African saying translating as “You don’t mess around with another man’s fire!”.

South Africans roast any meat you can name – beef, pork, turkey, ostrich, eland, or seafood. Apart from meat, hosts serve braaibroodjie, or braai sandwiches with white bread, chutney, cheese, and vegetables.

South African Christmas braai is always a laid-back event held in someone’s backyard. People may dress up for the occasion, but festive African lunch is about communication, not looks.

Gammon glazed in honey and mustard is an all-time South African Christmas lunch staple, often decorated with pineapples and cherries.

Seafood is prevalent in coastal towns. Apart from prawns, mussels, and crayfish, Africans eat exotic fish species that can’t be found in the U.S.

South African Christmas dessert differs from family to family, but the most popular recipes include brandy-infused fruitcake, custard sponge cake with berries, and whipped cream with fruits.

In Europe and the U.S., Christmas dinner tends to be a reserved event for immediate family members, but not in South Africa. Being friendly and open-hearted, Africans welcome all friends, family members, and neighbors wishing to attend.

Outdoor Fun

December in South Africa is warm – temperatures rarely fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While Americans and Europeans look forward to a white Christmas, hot chocolate near the fireplace, and woolly sweaters, South Africans aren’t having any of that.

However, the lack of snow doesn’t yet mean a lack of festive atmosphere – on the opposite, Africans have loads of fun outdoors. People can party outside all night long since the weather allows.

South African nature is rich with scenic beaches, mountains, forests, and national parks, so locals gladly use the opportunity to reconnect with nature during the Christmas holidays. Families go hiking, explore wildlife in national parks, sunbathe, and swim.

Those South Africans who prefer to stay in the town gather with neighbors and friends to dance and sing. But since singing White Christmas in Africa is a bit silly, people perform local traditional music.

Nativity Scenes & Nativity Plays

Nativity plays recounting the story of Christ’s birth performed on Christmas Eve is a widespread tradition in South Africa. They are commonly held at schools, churches, concert halls, and other public places.

The first nativity play was performed by monks in Italy in the 13th century to remind people that Jesus was born among farm animals in a poor family. Historically, nativity plays involved live donkeys and ox.

Nativity scenes are a staple Christmas decoration in every South African home, usually handmade and displayed in the window. South Africans from poor regions typically only make Christ’s crib rather than the entire scene.

A Religious Holiday

Christmas in South Africa wasn’t as commercialized as in the U.S. and remained a primarily religious holiday. Going to the church on Christmas Eve night is a must.

An African Christmas Mass isn’t much different from American or European – it also includes biblical readings and praying. Many churches set up elaborate nativity scenes.

However, every South African country has cultural peculiarities that affect church services. For example, in Malawi, the Midnight Mass includes dancing and singing to the sounds of traditional instruments.

Some churches organize festive processions with candles. Many Africans also visit a mass on Christmas morning, after which they gather for a Christmas lunch with friends and family.

Carols by Candlelight

South Africans love to gather outside, in local parks or on the seashore, light candles and sing Christmas songs on December 24 night. The tradition is known as carols by candlelight and is also observed in some European countries.

South Africans believe that singing carols together with family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers is the best way to get into the festive spirit. And why not enjoy a warm summer night with picnic blankets, candles, and some drinks?

Empty Schools & Stores

Although South African Christmas celebrations are short, people take them seriously and strive to spend quality time with loved ones. Most company offices are closed from mid-December to January 7, the day after Epiphany.

December 24, Christmas Eve, is just a regular working day for many South Africans, but December 25 and December 26 are public holidays. On December 25 and 26, everything is closed, including most grocery stores.

Of course, one can still buy essentials in large chain stores, but finding an open café or bar is a challenge. For this reason, South Africans try to stack up on necessities long in advance to avoid the mad rush leading up to Christmas Eve.

Since everything is closed, many South Africans prefer to leave the city and spend the holidays in nature.

Gift Exchange Is Rare

The Christmas gift-giving customs in South Africa differ by region. In most families, gifts aren’t the focus of the celebration. Some people refrain from gift exchange entirely or gift their loved ones a new suit or dress for the Christmas church service.

Gifts are uncommon in poorer communities, but people may exchange essential items like soap, schoolbooks, or candles. In developed areas, gift-giving traditions depend merely on the religiousness of a family.

When someone is invited to a South African Christmas lunch, they customarily bring flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of wine.

If South Africans exchange gifts, they put effort into the presentation, wrapping the present nicely. Usually, the receiver opens the gift in front of everyone as a sign of respect.

No Santa?

The relationship of South Africans with Santa is complicated. Some children believe in the American Santa Claus. Children living in areas with noticeable European influence may believe in Dutch Sinterklaas or French Pere Noel.

Some African regions have their unique Santa. However, most Africans simply don’t believe in an old man dropping gifts down the chimney, partially because it has nothing to do with religious connotations of the holiday and partially because gift-giving isn’t as widespread in the region.