Christmas Across Europe

I'm joining in another Travel Tuesday with Bonnie and this week we're talking about travel destinations during the holidays.
We've had the joy of living in 5 different countries throughout our 14 years in Europe, so I thought I would share Christmas, history & traditions in each place we've lived.
Russia
During Soviet times, Christmas activities were adopted into New Year's Eve celebrations.  In 1991,  Christmas was reestablished as a public holiday on January 7, based on the Julian calendar followed by the Russian Orthodox Church.  December 25 has little meaning to Russians other than they know it is widely celebrated by western countries.  
New Year's Eve is celebrated with lots of family, friends, gifts and food!!!  As well as staying up all night long to celebrate, which we joined in a couple of times.  January 7th is observed by attending Christmas programs at church.

My Russian nesting dolls, Дед Мороз (Santa Claus), Снегу́рочка (Snow Maiden), and снеговик (Snowman)

Novy Arbat Street in Moscow all lit up in 2001.

с Новым годом (translated "With the New Year"), on the building below is wishing you a Happy New Year/Merry Christmas.

Czech Republic
Christmas is typically celebrated on Christmas Eve.  As my Czech friend explained to me, they get all their cooking out of the way so they can relax and enjoy the family on Christmas Day.  Cookies are made throughout December to give to family and friends.  I've been told that up to 15 different types of cookies might be baked.
Carp is the traditional Christmas meal.  Turkey was and is expensive and thought of as a rich man's meal. So, carp became the traditional dish of Christmas.  I've even been told many don't even like it, but serve it out of tradition.  We are not fans of carp, so we never joined in this Christmas tradition. Big tubs of live carp are set up on street corners across the country.  To keep it fresh, people will keep it alive in their bath tubs until the big day.
In 2009 this Vodafone ad was all over the city at Christmas time.  It is my all time favorite.  Cracks me up!
Wrestling a Christmas carp!

Christmas 2009

Old Town Square with the Christmas market set up.

Spain
Christmas festivities take place on Christmas Eve including midnight mass.
Department store in downtown Madrid, 2010.

Another tradition connected to Christmas is Three Kings Day celebrated on January 6. The kings followed the star to find and meet the King of Kings, Jesus, and offer the gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh.
On the morning of January 6th, children eagerly wake to see what gifts have been left in and around their shoes by the kings.
Notes to the kings.

 Gifts from the kings.

Coal (crystalized candy found in stores) might be left if you haven't been good!!

King Cake, similar to the cake at Mardi Gras.  Inside the cake is a small prize and a bean.

Whoever gets the prize will have good luck all year.  Whoever finds the bean must pay for the cake!

My Three Kings.

Austria
Christmas markets!!
Rathaus in Vienna.

Christmas Market at Schloss Hof near the Slovakia border.

Streets of Vienna.

Prater, in Vienna, all decorated for Christmastime.

It seems I didn't take any photos of the Christmas Market at Schonbrunn, so I'll just give you a photo of the palace itself.

Another aspect of Austrian tradition is the Krampus Festival.  The Krampus came about pre-Christian times with roots in Germanic folklore.  A beast-like creature thought to punish naughty children.  You can see a video of the parade below. 
 
I never attended the parade as it's not a tradition I wish to share with my children.  I thought it deserved a mention though.  The masks can be found in the Christmas markets.  They are quite elaborate and expensive.
England
I don't actually have photos of Christmas in England as of yet, except for these photos from 2 years ago when we flew in to London on Boxing Day (December 26th).  We visited the gift shop at Buckingham Palace and saw these cute crown ornaments that the kids had to try on!

We've had some memorable Christmas' in some beautiful places.  Learned some interesting and sometimes weird traditions and joined in on celebrations that have become our own.  And we're the better for it!
What memorable holiday season have you had away from home?