Christmas in Georgia

Christmas: The holiday that unites the whole country

Spending the Christmas season in another country is the perfect way to really get to know that country's culture and people. In the Republic of Georgia, Christmas includes many familiar elements, but also some traditions that are uniquely Georgian.

Christmas is celebrated in Georgia on January 7. In the Orthodox world, the Julian calendar is still used instead of the Georgian calendar, which means that the Feast of Love falls on January 7 and marks the end of Great Lent. On this day, the streets of Georgia are decorated with beautiful Christmas lights and you can hear Christmas carols being sung everywhere.

Christmas march Alilo

One of the inseparable parts of this day is the traditional Christmas march called Alilo. Usually the march begins in the morning after the special Christmas service in the churches. Then thousands of people participate and sing Christmas carols together, which vary from country to country. During the Alilo, the children are dressed like angels and the adults like shepherds, similar to the scene where the wise men visit the baby Jesus in the stable.

They carry crosses and icons through the streets and collect food, sweets and other things that are later distributed to needy people and orphanages. Anyone can join the march or donate some food, produce or other things, which makes the march especially attractive to children, who often collect a lot of sweets from locals.

Chichilaki: The Georgian Christmas tree

Christmas trees are also an important part of the Georgian Christmas celebration. However, Georgian Christmas trees look different from the ones we are used to in Western Europe. Especially for this festival, the Chichilaki - a traditional Georgian Christmas tree - is made from dried hazelnut branches that are shaved into a small coniferous tree. Georgians believe that the shaved tree resembles the famous beard of St. Basil the Great, who is believed to visit people during the Christmas season, similar to Santa Claus traditions.

Father Frost with the Nabadi

More familiar Christmas concepts also have a place in Georgian festivities. Santa Claus, known as Tovlis Papa (Father Frost), is usually depicted in traditional Georgian clothing and a fur coat called a nabadi. Although Father Frost does not have reindeer or a sleigh, he is believed to visit homes on Christmas Eve and leave gifts for the children.

Christmas in Georgia is a day of celebration, joy, good food, family and friends. Church services, carols and a whole country united for alilo processions make Christmas in Georgia a beautiful and unique celebration worth visiting. Especially if you want to continue celebrating Christmas after December 26.

If you can't wait to discover the exciting Georgia for yourself, check out our Georgia trip an. Here you can dive deep into the culture and get to know the country and its people in an authentic and sustainable way. Subscribe also to the TripLegend Newsletterto be among the first to experience our special winter journey through the country on the Caucasus.