Christmas

Christmas is one of the most important events on the Christian calendar, and it is widely observed in Tonga. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are national holidays, and religious services are more extravagant than ever. During the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, towns hold singing competitions and families exchange food gifts.

Tonga celebrates Christmas uniquely compared to many Western countries. To begin with, Tonga is still a very religious country. The holiday revolves around church attendance.

Caroling using a variety of local instruments is a popular practice that many people appreciate. Carollers are occasionally rewarded for their efforts with gifts. However, the most common gifts are plates of delectable food, and for many Tongans, Christmas is more about food than presents.

If people have a Christmas tree at all, it's most usually a locally harvested tropical tree. The tree is frequently picked from your own backyard and decorated with bright balloons and chocolates.

Finally, one of Tonga's most distinctive Christmas customs is the lighting of coconut husks on the beach. Each island lines up dried coconut husks and lights them on fire at night, so they look like Christmas lights from a distance.

When: Christmas Day December 25 & Boxing Day December 26