Christmas Day in Kiribati is a widely celebrated holiday, observed with as much joy, enthusiasm, and festive cheer as anywhere else in the world. This holiday honors the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated each year on December 25th. Even though the Pacific island nation has a unique mix of traditional and modern lifestyles, the essence of Christmas remains the same - to spread peace, love, and goodwill.
Preparations for Christmas in Kiribati begin weeks in advance. Much like other nations around the world, Kiribati sees its houses and streets decked out in colorful lights, carols filling the air, sundry Christmas trees and, naturally, church services in abundance. Gift-giving is an important part of the holiday tradition, and kids eagerly anticipate the arrival of Santa, known locally as Te Nana Eeka.
The holiday takes on a special significance in Kiribati as it also marks the beginning of a unique cultural event, the Kiribati New Year. This event makes Kiribati amongst the first countries in the world to welcome the New Year. Because of their geographical location, these celebrations often attract a great number of international visitors who gather to join the local population in bringing in the New Year with great fanfare.