Christmas Celebrations Around the World Captured in BBC Photo Feature
BBC News published a photo feature on 25 December 2025, capturing Christmas celebrations around the world, with updates as recent as 3 hours ago. The feature highlights that while most celebrate Christmas on 25 December, Orthodox Christians largely observe it on 7 January.
Worshippers were seen attending Christmas Eve services in varied locations including Kyiv (Ukraine), Beijing (China), Karachi and Islamabad (Pakistan), and Nairobi (Kenya). Bethlehem's Nativity Square was emphasized as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, located in the occupied West Bank.
Religious imagery includes Pope Leo holding a figurine of Baby Jesus during Christmas Eve Mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and the illumination of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris ahead of midnight Mass. London's traditional Christmas Eve meat auction at Smithfield Market was also referenced.
The feature also showcases secular festive scenes such as a waterskiing Santa in Alexandria, Virginia; Santa Claus on Bondi Beach in Sydney; fishermen dressed as Santa and the Grinch in Valparaiso Bay, Chile; and two men dressed as Santas in Gulmarg, Indian-administered Kashmir.
