Holidays With A Twist 2022 - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

73 Items Tagged

Holidays With A Twist 2022

Share Tweet
A local version of a colonial tradition, the Winneba Fancy Dress Festival rings in the new year in Ghana.
festivals

In Ghana, the New Year Starts With a Fancy Dress Masquerade

Once a colonial tradition, a creative festival has been elevated to new heights.
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing January 11, 2023
Adam Johnson (center) dresses up as Heikki Lunta as part of the Upper Peninsula's Heikinpäivä festival in Hancock, Michigan.
holiday

The Dancing Snow God That Brings Blizzards to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Heikki Lunta even has his own song.
Daniel Bromfield January 5, 2023
Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians played "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight on December 31 for almost a half a century. Lombardo became known as "Mr. New Year's Eve"—but the song always reminded him of Easter.
music

Do Americans Sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ Because of a Frat Party?

Or maybe it was the cigars that gave us this New Year's Eve staple.
April White December 29, 2022
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura
holidays

Puzzle Monday: Ring It In Crossword

AO Puzzles December 26, 2022
One of the Lomen brothers, standing amongst the family reindeer.
food

The Rise and Fall of Alaska's 'Reindeer King'

Carl J. Lomen used legal loopholes and Santa Claus to build his meat business.
Kirstin Fawcett December 23, 2022
Glazed and unglazed <em>Elisenlebkuchen</em>.
food

German Lebkuchen Are a Labor of Love With a Centuries-Old History

Some of these gingerbread cookies take months to make.
Diana Hubbell December 23, 2022
A traditional Liberian Christmas masquerade in the streets of Monrovia in 2015.
holidays

In Liberia, Christmas Is the Time of the Dancing Devils

These masked dancers are part of traditional celebrations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing December 21, 2022
A fir tree–flavored tonic in its natural habitat.
trees

The Estonian Island Where Christmas Trees Become Soda

On Saaremaa, a local distillery turns town-square trees into festive mixers.
Ronan O'Connell December 21, 2022
"Kentucky for Christmas" in Tokyo.
food

Around the World in Christmas Food Traditions

From pickles on the tree to live carp in the bathtub.
Diana Hubbell December 19, 2022
Public Christmas trees, like Rockefeller Center’s famous tree, didn’t start appearing in the U.S. until the 20th century.
trees

The Christmas Tree Is One of the World's Oldest and Most Evergreen Traditions

Long before your living room's seasonal centerpiece, cultures around the world marked the darkest time of year with palms, pines, and other greenery.
Troy Bickham December 19, 2022
deserts

Podcast: Tumbleweed Christmas Tree

This is how you do the holidays in the desert.
The Podcast Team December 19, 2022
Snow globes were invented at the turn of the 20th century but didn't often feature Christmas characters until after World War II.
objects of intrigue

This Family Gave the World the Snow Globe

But did they create the famous one with a starring role in Citizen Kane?
Carole Rosenblat December 15, 2022
Children in Carabobo, Venezuela, participate in a state skating program.
holidays

Will Venezuela's Christmas Roller-Skating Tradition Make a Comeback?

Las patinatas—"the skating"—dates back to the 1950s.
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing December 13, 2022
Kozlowski used food coloring to paint an edible copy of the classic mural at Madame Sousou's Cafe in Astoria.
food

The Bakers Transforming New York’s Buildings Into Gingerbread

Not a gummy bear was spared during the Great Borough Bake-Off.
Sam Lin-Sommer December 13, 2022
holidays

Podcast: Luciadagen

Dive into the origins of a Swedish holiday tradition that evolved from sinister pagan lore to a celebration of light, warmth, and music.
The Podcast Team December 12, 2022
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura
holidays

Puzzle Monday: Atlas Obscura Christmas Crossword

AO Puzzles December 12, 2022
Vermont Toy Museum
List

22 Toy Museums That Take Playthings Seriously

The holidays aren't the only time to enjoy the world of toys.
Jonathan Carey December 9, 2022
A member of the Milwaukee Krampus Eigenheit was one of dozens of furry, horned menaces swatting onlookers with switches during the annual Milwaukee Krampusnacht.
santa claus

Krampus Is the Christmas Icon We Need—And Maybe the One We Deserve

At Milwaukee’s Krampusnacht, we go in search of the essence of Santa’s unholy enforcer.
Gemma Tarlach December 9, 2022