Seychelles for Christmas and New Year: how it all happens

The Seychelles is one of the most exotic places on the planet for Christmas celebrations. But even here at Christmas they put up trees and give gifts! An amazing country with white beaches and turquoise waters offers a variety of New Year's entertainment.

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The Seychelles is a popular destination in December and it's time to take a holiday trip! In the first month of winter, the average air temperature on the islands ranges from + 24°C to 31°C, and it is warm to swim in the sea. True, sometimes the rain can be upsetting.

Despite the fact that the Seychelles is located in a tropical climate, there is also a tradition of putting up Christmas trees. Locals love to create the Christmas atmosphere by decorating their houses, streets and shopping centers. Bright garlands and lights are lit everywhere, and Christmas trees are decorated with toys and ribbons.

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Christmas traditions of Seychelles

The majority of the Seychelles population is Catholic, so Christmas is the main religious holiday on the islands. In fact, it is one of the largest religious holidays of the year. The churches at the Christmas site are simply filled, and nativity scenes are set up inside.

• Christmas in the Seychelles is a family holiday. Families usually gather for celebrations, and it is not uncommon for many meetings and parties to take place during this time. While many families host parties at home, beach parties are also popular at Christmas and other times of the year. One of the local Christmas traditions is "La Renyon", which means "reunion" in Creole. This is a colorful family celebration that takes place the day after Christmas. Family and friends gather together at the festive table. It is customary to bring food with you to parties, turning the table into a huge buffet. Nightclubs and bars are crowded on New Year's Eve.
• Even in the distant and exotic Seychelles there is a tradition of giving gifts to each other at Christmas. This could be anything from local souvenirs to jewelry. On this day, many also make charitable donations and help those in need. When it comes to gifts and decor, Seychelles has shops that sell everything you need for the festive season: fairy lights, sparkling decorations and even freshly cut Christmas trees. Local shops also offer a wide selection of handmade items that make great gifts for family and friends. You can buy locally produced goods at markets that open throughout the Seychelles during the festive season.
• Christmas trees are decorated with ornaments, lights and garlands. But most people choose plastic Christmas trees, which they reuse every year.
• Unlike most other countries, in the Seychelles, January 2 is a public holiday. This gives you a well-deserved day off to recharge after all the partying. But December 26 is a normal working day for everyone.

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What to do in the Seychelles at Christmas

Christmas is the biggest holiday in Seychelles and the people do everything they can to make it special. Activities during this season are many and varied.

• Hotel holiday. Restaurants usually offer special seasonal menus that are a combination of local and international flavours. Most hotels and restaurants offer special Christmas menus for the celebration. Usually it's turkey, roasted vegetables, Christmas pudding. In hotels, Christmas dinners are accompanied by performances by musical groups, dancing, and practical jokes.
• Gastronomy. A trip to the Seychelles for Christmas is a great opportunity to experience Seychelles cuisine. This is an amazing mixture of Chinese, French, Indian and African cultures with local traditions. In the Seychelles, all dishes are usually seasoned with spices and aromatic herbs, and rice is always served. The dishes come with fruit and sweet potatoes, as well as birds' eggs. You can try bat meat, vanilla sweet potato pie and many other specialties of this archipelago.
• The Christmas market is one of the most popular events on the island. The local market is full of local produce, including fresh fruit, spices, handicrafts and souvenirs to take home. Various events are held around: open-air concerts, folklore performances.
• Beach holiday. Christmas under palm trees, not under snow is the motto of the entire December trip. You can swim on the beach or go scuba diving to explore the unique aquatic world of the Seychelles. Try water sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding or kitesurfing, catamaran or kayaking.
• Hire a yacht and spend time on board discovering the impressive ocean views of the Seychelles Islands.
• Explore nature reserves and climb the country's highest mountains for breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
• In the capital of Victoria on the island of Mahe, you can stroll along the alleys where the Creole houses along the streets are decorated with Christmas lights. It is a spectacular spectacle that attracts many visitors in the evening.
• Discover the island of Praslin and go to its magnificent beaches. Take advantage of the opportunity to go diving, because the climate at this time is favorable. You can also admire the huge, bizarrely shaped coconut fruits.
• If you love nature, you should be interested in the botanical garden, where you can watch giant tortoises.
• Visit the history-rich museum, craft galleries, as well as the great Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, the Clock Tower or the Avenue de l'Independence.

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What to take with you

In December, take light clothing with you: shorts, T-shirts and light dresses. Don't forget your beach shoes, but bring comfortable sneakers for hiking in the mountains. Bring a light jacket if the weather gets chilly.

Bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and anti-seasickness products if traveling by ferry or boat. And don't forget to bring an umbrella!

What budget should you plan for celebrating Christmas in Seychelles? If you are planning to celebrate Christmas in Seychelles in December, be prepared to incur high costs. After all, both flights and hotel prices skyrocket at this time.

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Christmas and New Year in the Seychelles are an opportunity to discover the history and culture of these islands, as well as allowing you to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the tropics at the end of the year. The climate in the Seychelles is warm and pleasant, so the Christmas cold will be left behind.

Take advantage of this magical moment and spend unforgettable days with your family or friends!