From mahjong-tile Christmas trees to bread decorations that become winter treats for local sparrows, this is a snapshot of how Christmas is being celebrated across China
Although Christmas isn’t an official holiday in China, the festive atmosphere fills the air every December, with twinkling lights brightening urban corners and scenic spots, and malls and restaurants sparkling with holiday decorations. Santa can be spotted everywhere, from balloons to toys, while desserts and dishes don holiday packaging.
Christmas in China, which gained popularity in the 1990s, has always been more of a consumption-driven celebration rather than a religious holiday. For many, it’s an excuse for shopping sprees, promotions, get-togethers with friends, and some simple fun.
Many young people have embraced the holiday in creative and playful ways. Online jokes even playfully cast the 17th-century general Oboi (鳌拜) as a Chinese Santa Claus, referencing his iconic white beard and red cap from his portrayal in the 1994 comedy Hail the Judge. Others draw tongue-in-cheek reference to Hong Xiuquan (洪秀全), the 19th-century leader of the Taiping Rebellion, who famously claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus, turning the festival into a canvas for local humor and historical allusions.
Here are some highlights of how Christmas is celebrated this year across China’s cities:
In Chengdu, Sichuan—where mahjong culture runs deep—a digital Christmas tree made of stacked mahjong tiles has become a popular daka (check-in) spot for young people on social media
A Christmas tree made of hundreds of freshly baked loaves in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, has attracted crowds for its creative design
Baked with nearly expired flour, the bread Christmas tree also doubles as a winter food source for local sparrows
Outside a Dongguan knitwear shop in Guangdong, a Christmas tree crafted entirely from yarn decorates the storefront wall
A Shanghai mall has installed a crystal ball–like centerpiece featuring pandas and other playful elements, transforming the space into a Nordic-inspired winter wonderland. Ten-meter-tall Christmas trees and festive market stalls complete the immersive holiday scene.
Dongshan Church, built in 1908 in Guangzhou, has become a popular spot for visitors seeking a taste of the Christmas atmosphere, with three dazzling trees lighting up its historic grounds
As winter sets in and visitors from southern China make their ritual trip to the country’s northmost provincial capital, Harbin, a Russian goods store on Central Street, dotted with Christmas ornaments, draws crowds with its exotic allure
Popular designer toy brand Pop Mart rolled out Christmas-themed blind boxes this December, featuring viral IPs like Labubu, Molly, and Hirono, sparking another round of buying craze among young customers
This year, Shanghai unveils a Christmas wonderland playground at a local mall, turning the space into a fantasy-filled holiday park centered on Santa motifs. On weekends, more than 2,500 Santa figurines pop up across the venue, drawing hundreds of families into the festive bustle.
A Nanjing mall has transformed its rooftop into a 1,000-square-meter fairytale snow village dotted with 100 snow-covered trees. The display also nods to the Year of the Horse with the pun “马上有 ‘Horse 好事’ (Good things will happen),” blending holiday cheer with wordplay.
The saxophone-playing Santa, a familiar sight in China during Christmas, is believed to be a unique Chinese invention
Coffee shops near Beijing’s over-750-year-old Baita Temple have set up Christmas trees and festive decorations, blending Chinese and Western aesthetics
As the holiday approaches, Christmas decoration retailers enter their busiest period. The rush begins months earlier in Yiwu, the manufacturing hub known for producing and exporting more than half of the world’s holiday decorations.
All images from VCG
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