How Ukrainians celebrate Christmas: traditions and symbols

Christmas in Ukraine is not just a date on the calendar, but a whole world of warm family gatherings, ancient rituals and living traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. Find out how Ukrainians celebrate one of the brightest and most heartfelt holidays of the year and what makes Christmas so special

Choose a tour in Ukraine for any taste

CHOOSE A TOUR

Christmas is one of the most revered and significant holidays in Ukrainian culture. It has been celebrated from generation to generation, carefully preserving the customs of ancestors, combining religious meaning, family warmth and the richness of folk symbolism. This holiday is not just a reminder of the birth of the Saviour — it unites families, returns them to their roots, and symbolises hope, renewal, and light.

Christmas — one of the main holidays

Christmas is associated with the biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem — an event that has become a symbol of miracle, faith and salvation for humanity. For Ukrainians, this holiday has always had a special meaning: families gathered together, gave thanks for the past year, prayed, gave gifts and kept the warmth of the family hearth. Today, Christmas is officially celebrated on 25 December (according to the Gregorian calendar), but some Ukrainians also continue to celebrate Christmas on 7 January (according to the Julian calendar). Regardless of the date, the meaning of the holiday remains the same — it is a time of unity, goodness and spiritual purification.

Main Christmas traditions in Ukraine

Ukrainian Christmas traditions are primarily associated with family. It is believed that on this day, all relatives should gather at one table — even those who live far away. Ukrainians had many regional rituals and symbolic actions: in some places, they tied spoons together as a sign of unity, in others, they tied a chain around the table so that the family would be strong and friendly in the coming year. One thing remained common — respect for tradition and a sense of the sacredness of the moment.

Holy Evening and the festive table

The celebration begins on Christmas Eve — Holy Evening. Twelve meatless dishes are placed on the table in honour of the apostles. The central place is occupied by kutia — a symbol of abundance, memory and the connection between generations. It is placed next to a candle and left on the table after dinner for the souls of deceased ancestors, because, according to popular belief, they visit the house on this night. The table also usually features borscht, mushrooms, fish, varenyky, and uzvar. With the arrival of Christmas, the fast ends, and meat dishes can be served the very next day.

Carols and shchedrivki — the music of the holiday

Christmas Eve in Ukraine is unthinkable without carols. In the past, carollers staged entire performances with songs, costumes, the Star of Bethlehem, and bags for treats. Today, this tradition is still alive: children and young people go from house to house, singing carols, wishing health, wealth and God's grace, and the hosts thank them with sweets and gifts. In western Ukraine, theatrical forms of caroling have been particularly well preserved.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Symbols of Christmas: didukh, nativity scene and decorations

A Ukrainian home must be clean, bright and decorated before Christmas. One of the main symbols is the didukh — a sheaf of wheat, a symbol of harvest, life and the memory of ancestors.

It is placed in a place of honour, and after Epiphany, the grain from it is added to the first sowing. The vertep — a Christmas theatre or model of a cave with biblical scenes, reminiscent of the main miracle of the holiday — is also important. Houses are also decorated with vitinanky — patterns cut out of paper.

Christmas omens and beliefs

Ukrainian culture preserves many Christmas omens. It is believed that a lot of snow means a good harvest, frost means fertility, and a ‘green Christmas’ portends a ‘white Easter.’ A coin, symbolising wealth, garlic, symbolising health, and iron objects, symbolising protection from evil spirits, were often placed on the table. On Christmas Eve, girls would tell fortunes and predict their future husbands — a tradition that is still alive today.

Christmas clothing

On Christmas Day, it is customary to wear new, festive clothing. Ukrainians traditionally chose embroidered shirts, belts, vests, and decorated scarves. This symbolised renewal, purity, and respect for the holiday.

Regional traditions

Each region of Ukraine has its own unique celebrations:

In the west, nativity scenes and weaving straw ‘spiders’ — talismans of prosperity — are particularly common. In the Carpathian Mountains and Volhynia, the custom of remembering ancestors is preserved — a separate plate is left or even a visit to the cemetery with kutia is made. In Central Ukraine, there are family rituals with kutia, while in the East and South, the Star of Bethlehem is actively used, there is a lot of caroling, and large families gather together. In Polissya, special dishes are prepared, including blueberry burda and varenyky with berries.

Reminder! In Ukraine, New Year symbolises family feasts and gifts under the Christmas tree. However, some countries have completely different customs. Find out what traditions are observed on New Year's Eve in the northern, western, central and southern parts of Europe.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.