Romanian Christmas traditions are experiencing vibrant expressions across the country, as communities engage in festive celebrations aimed at preserving cultural heritage. Between December 16-20, 2024, the Primăria Oradea organized several events dedicated to traditional carols and customs, permitting children and students from the municipality to share the spirit of the holidays and demonstrate their role as custodians of popular traditions.
Closing this special week, nearly 350 children from choirs representing various educational institutions performed traditional carols and holiday songs, delighting audiences at the Town Hall's Grand Hall. Santa Claus, present by the decorated Christmas tree, greeted the children and added joy to the festivities. Participatory institutions included the „Junii de Vest” Folklore Ensemble, the Orthodox Church „Mihai Eminescu”, and several schools from the Oradea area. The municipal administration thanked all involved for contributing to the event's success, honoring the traditions and values characterizing the Christmas spirit.
Meanwhile, the spirit of Romanian traditions came alive at the Ethnographic Hall of the Bistrița-Năsăud Museum Complex, where students from the first grade class at Nr. 1 Bistrița School, under the guidance of teachers Florina Vlasin and Maria Ureche, creatively reenacted the enchanting atmosphere of age-old gatherings. Clad in authentic folk costumes, children revived the essence of traditional gatherings, showcasing games like „capra” and presenting traditional plays.
The little carolers also recited popular maxims and sang carols such as: „Rămâi gazdă sănătoasă, Noi plecăm la altă casă, Şi-acolo-m colinda, Până când s-o însera…” Through their heartfelt songs, they conveyed wishes of health, abundance, and joy to their hosts. Teachers Vlasin and Ureche managed to surprise parents with the authenticity and beauty of the performance, convincingly demonstrating how authentic Romanian values can be transmitted to future generations through education and engagement.
The Bistrița-Năsăud Museum Complex served as the ideal partner for this initiative, providing genuine settings and warmly welcoming the young performers. The end of the gathering was crowned with the wish: “Să ne-adune bun cu bun sfânta sară de Crăciun, Că-i mai sfântă decât tăte, La mulți ani cu sănătate!” The event proved to be a genuine joy, emphasizing how talent, commitment, and support from adults can allow traditions and authentic values to thrive.
Beyond localized internal celebrations, Christmas markets and holiday decor have prompted many Romanians to partake festivities at home or travel throughout their country. A recent survey by the hotel platform Travelminit.ro revealed many Romanians opted to celebrate the holidays either at home or at picturesque destinations, with major cities like Brașov, Oradea, Craiova, and Sibiu ranking highly among preferred locations to experience the holiday charm.
With 68% of respondents indicating they associate winter holidays with being home with family, many also plan to visit Christmas markets during this period, especially those held across major cities, which have extended their operating hours well beyond Christmas Eve. Significantly, 73% of Romanians are anticipated to visit one of these markets this holiday season, confirming their growing popularity within the festive spirit. Traditional markets featuring handmade crafts, especially the Sibiul market, attract tens of thousands of visitors annually seeking unique gifts and experiences.
This year, Craiova has gained attention for hosting one of Europe’s most beautiful markets, running from November 15 to January 5, and authorities continue to invest steadily to expand this festive attraction for tourists both domestic and foreign. Cities like Bucharest, Brașov, and Cluj-Napoca will also host multiple Christmas fairs, ensuring visitors have numerous opportunities to absorb the holiday spirit this season, many of which will remain open well beyond December.
Reflecting changing travel preferences, chalet destinations are enjoying increased popularity, with 51% of survey participants favoring mountain resorts for their winter retreat. The research also indicated varying budget decisions for holiday accommodations, with 43.6% of Romanians willing to allocate between 1,000 and 3,000 lei for their festive stays. Visitors can still find available lodging options, ranging from hotels to smaller guesthouses and villas for family and friends gatherings. Rates for stays typically start around 1,000-1,200 lei for 2-3 nights during Christmas and New Year's across major cities.
Overall, the diverse celebrations of Christmas across Romania reflect not only the commitment to cultural retention but also the adapting desires of the modern consumer. This emphasis on festive traditions, local engagement, and community spirit revitalizes the holiday season, ensuring its relevance persists for generations to come.
