https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed After a Three Kings Day parade in Seville featured Andalusia's regional president in blackface playing King Balthazar, the debate over the outdated and racist practice has again been reignited in Spain. https://www.thelocal.com/20240105/blackface-lives-on-during-epiphany-in-spain-despite-growing-outrage Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:01:00 +0100 blackface-lives-on-during-epiphany-in-spain-despite-growing-outrage Christmas is always a busy time for travel, but this year travellers may have to reckon with new rules including the EU's 'Entry & Exit System' and the UK's ETA - here's what to expect if you are travelling to or from France by air, ferry, train or car. https://www.thelocal.com/20251204/ees-and-eta-what-to-expect-when-travelling-to-and-from-france-this-christmas Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:05:11 +0100 ees-and-eta-what-to-expect-when-travelling-to-and-from-france-this-christmas 'Drei Hasselnüsse für Ashenbrödel' - or 'Three Wishes for Cinderella’ - is one of Germany's most beloved Christmas films. Here's how you can watch it this year. https://www.thelocal.com/20241223/three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:18:39 +0100 three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie Visiting home in the festive period when you live abroad in Germany is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. But it also brings with it some reverse culture shocks, writes Rachel Loxton. https://www.thelocal.com/20241224/nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:44:49 +0100 nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas The Christmas Goat in the Swedish city of Gävle has become a worldwide symbol of the season for many who eagerly follow news of the straw goat to see if it survives until Christmas day. Here's where you can watch it online. https://www.thelocal.com/20221208/goatwatch-heres-how-you-can-livestream-swedens-christmas-goat Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:56:35 +0100 goatwatch-heres-how-you-can-livestream-swedens-christmas-goat Germany's Christmas markets brighten up the cold and dark winter season. As well as picking up homemade gifts and ornaments, make sure you try these delicious snacks and drinks. https://www.thelocal.com/20241210/10-food-and-drink-treats-you-have-to-try-at-a-german-christmas-market Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:44:23 +0100 10-food-and-drink-treats-you-have-to-try-at-a-german-christmas-market It may still be November but Christmas markets are already opening up. Here's when Germany's best known festive markets, as well as a few smaller quirky ones, are set to open. https://www.thelocal.com/20251113/when-are-germanys-christmas-markets-opening-in-2025 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:05:31 +0100 when-are-germanys-christmas-markets-opening-in-2025 Sweden's festive season is a time when even the most well-integrated foreigner can feel like an outsider, miles from home with a set of traditions, recipes, and songs familiar to everyone but you. https://www.thelocal.com/20171221/the-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-know-to-survive-a-swedish-christmas Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:43:32 +0100 the-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-know-to-survive-a-swedish-christmas From rail strikes to traffic warnings, here is the latest on travel by rail, road and air in and around France over Christmas. https://www.thelocal.com/20241213/trains-roads-and-planes-what-to-know-about-travel-in-france-over-christmas Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:54:27 +0100 trains-roads-and-planes-what-to-know-about-travel-in-france-over-christmas Visiting Christmas markets in Sweden is a unique experience. These winter wonderlands are also a perfect place to try traditional foods and drinks. https://www.thelocal.com/20241125/the-five-must-try-food-and-drinks-at-swedish-christmas-markets Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:40:45 +0100 the-five-must-try-food-and-drinks-at-swedish-christmas-markets Swedes love traditional Lucia saffron buns (lussekatter) on December 13th. Food writer John Duxbury shares his favourite recipe with The Local. https://www.thelocal.com/20151211/how-to-make-your-own-saffron-buns Fri, 11 Dec 2015 08:00:00 +0100 how-to-make-your-own-saffron-buns Whether you're just out of Sweden temporarily or you've moved away for good, you might find yourself missing the tradition of Lucia once December 13th rolls around. But how can you join in from abroad? https://www.thelocal.com/20241213/how-to-watch-swedish-lucia-celebrations-if-you-live-outside-of-sweden Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:04:49 +0100 how-to-watch-swedish-lucia-celebrations-if-you-live-outside-of-sweden The festive season can be difficult for people living abroad far away from their loved ones back home, but we've put together a few gift ideas for staying close to friends and family. https://www.thelocal.com/20241207/11-christmas-gift-ideas-to-stay-connected-with-friends-and-family-back-home Sat, 07 Dec 2024 09:52:27 +0100 11-christmas-gift-ideas-to-stay-connected-with-friends-and-family-back-home Swedish lussekatter are truly one hell of a bun. https://www.thelocal.com/20181212/swedishchristmas-why-lussekatter-are-one-hell-of-a-bun-dec12 Wed, 12 Dec 2018 08:59:59 +0100 swedishchristmas-why-lussekatter-are-one-hell-of-a-bun-dec12 The tradition of 'Klaasohm', which involves men restraining and smacking women's bottoms, is set to be outlawed on the German island of Borkum this year. Here's what you need to know about the controversial custom. https://www.thelocal.com/20241202/klaasohm-why-a-german-island-is-scrapping-its-violent-christmas-tradition Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:14:42 +0100 klaasohm-why-a-german-island-is-scrapping-its-violent-christmas-tradition As its gets darker and colder in Germany, many people are looking forward to the festive season. We look at when Christmas markets will start to welcome visitors. https://www.thelocal.com/20241113/when-are-germanys-christmas-markets-opening-this-year Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:52:08 +0100 when-are-germanys-christmas-markets-opening-this-year Barcelona police have been deployed to prevent people from clogging up traffic by taking selfies in the middle of the road, one of many examples of how Spanish city centres become unbearably crowded during the December holidays. https://www.thelocal.com/20231211/cities-in-spain-get-uncomfortably-busy-over-long-december-break Mon, 11 Dec 2023 12:31:56 +0100 cities-in-spain-get-uncomfortably-busy-over-long-december-break One of the highlights of the year in Austria can be readily enjoyed anywhere in the country - its legendary Christmas markets. But how long do they stay open in the evening - and do some remain open until the New Year? https://www.thelocal.com/20231106/when-do-austrias-famous-christmas-markets-open-this-year Mon, 06 Nov 2023 17:17:35 +0100 when-do-austrias-famous-christmas-markets-open-this-year Germany has one of the best postal services in the world - but you're still going to need to plan ahead if you want to send presents abroad and have them arrive in time for Christmas. https://www.thelocal.com/20231204/what-are-the-christmas-deadlines-in-germany-for-posting-letters-and-parcels Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:57:28 +0100 what-are-the-christmas-deadlines-in-germany-for-posting-letters-and-parcels Although there's no shortage of Christmas offerings in Austria, no one does Christmas quite like the Viennese. Here's a guide to some of the best Christmas markets in the capital - and when you can start enjoying them in 2023. https://www.thelocal.com/20231114/vienna-christmas-markets-the-dates-and-locations-for-2023 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:38:35 +0100 vienna-christmas-markets-the-dates-and-locations-for-2023