The West Bank city of Bethlehem, believed to be built on the grotto where Jesus Christ was born, lacked any celebratory atmosphere due to fighting in the Gaza Strip. Instead, prayers and calls for an end to the fighting in Gaza replaced the usual festivities. Bethlehem’s Mayor Anton Salman said: “We must have hope in this part of the world, the holy land because without it, we cannot continue surviving in this land. Here, we have lack of peace. For that, we must have hope.”

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was welcomed at the religious site of Mar Elias in Jerusalem before traveling to the West Bank to organize a midnight Mass.

“Everyone is talking about the Holy Land, about war, hatred and division. We, Christians today for Christmas, we want to tell from our Holy Land from Jerusalem to all the world that fraternity among human beings is possible. And Christmas, the meaning, the purpose of Christmas is to work for the unity among human beings because Christmas we celebrate God with us,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

In Europe, 1200 cycling Santa Clauses descended on Central London to raise money for a children's charity.

In Zagreb, Croatia, volunteers dressed as Santa Claus brought happiness to young hospital patients, climbing on the rooftop and delivering gifts to children undergoing treatment.

In Mexico, in Oaxaca City, people took part in a parade in the city square of floats elaborately decorated by the churches. The next day a celebration took place with fireworks, music, and dancing.

The Night of the Radishes took place in Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring a competition to carve oversized radishes. Enedina Vazquez said: "This tradition began at the markets near the city center over a century ago. A street vendor once created a radish sculpture to boost sales, and it worked. After that, others started doing the same."