Goat burning and fancy dress: Experience the weirdest Christmases in Europe

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Here’s how to experience them: Freakish fancy dressing in Switzerland open image in gallery The Pelzmartige parade Dressing up is almost essential at this time of year but there’s more to the festive wardrobe than sparkly outfits and a red Santa suit. Visit responsibletravel.com Shifting holy sands in Gran Canaria open image in gallery Nativity scenes in the sand Swap snowmen for sandpeople at Las Canteras Beach in Gran Canaria, where nativity scenes are sculpted from golden grains every year. Visit rambleworldwide.com Goat burning in Sweden open image in gallery Christmas Yule Goat at night, Gavle Throughout history, the devil has always been portrayed as a formidable figure. Visit originaltravel.co.uk Icy dips in Ireland open image in gallery A bracing Irish festive swim Cold water swimming has been gaining popularity for some time, but hardy Irish folk have been taking an annual Christmas Day dip for the past 40 years.