15 Christmas Traditions from Around the World

14. Giant Lantern Festival – Philippines

The town of San Fernando in the Philippines has earned the nickname of “The Christmas Capital of the Philippines” because of the amazing Giant Lantern Festival that they hold every year. The Lantern Festival began in either 1904 or 1908 (accounts vary), and started when the different barrios (or neighborhoods) of San Fernando competed to see who could build the largest and most beautiful Christmas lantern.

In the years since then, the lanterns have grown exponentially in both size and technical wizardry. If you visit San Fernando today, you’ll be treated to a spectacular display of 20-foot-high lanterns lit with over 5,000 lightbulbs.

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