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How countries around the world celebrate the end of the year

A group of children dance in a performance organized by a local church to raise money after Typhoon Bopha on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
A group of children dance in a performance organized by a local church to raise money after Typhoon Bopha on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
Image: @SaniaJelic/EyeEm
By
Johnny Simon
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The end of the year is a special time for people all around the world. Even where Christmas is not celebrated, red Santa caps, decorated trees and gift giving abound, mixed with religious and secular aspects of local holiday culture. This year, Quartz partnered with photo-sharing community EyeEm, to ask local photographers from London to Japan to show how they prepare for winter holidays. Here are their answers:

Milan, Italy

A man overlooks a Christmas market while walking along the Navigli of Milan.
A man overlooks a Christmas market while walking along the Navigli of Milan.
Image: @mattchinaski/EyeEM

Strasbourg, France

The Strasbourg Christmas market, the oldest in Europe.
The Strasbourg Christmas market, the oldest in Europe.
Image: @miccoliofficial/EyeEm

Cologne, Germany

Christmas trees for sale at an open air market in Cologne, Germany.
Christmas trees for sale at an open air market in Cologne, Germany.
Image: @cobaltstock/EyeEm

Bohol, Philippines

A group of children dance in a performance organzied by a local church to raise money after Typhoon Bopha on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
A group of children dance in a performance organized by a local church to raise money after Typhoon Bopha on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
Image: @SaniaJelic/EyeEm

Miyoshi, Japan

A reveler lights a sparkler in Miyoshi, Japan
A reveler lights a sparkler in Miyoshi, Japan
Image: @esspeshal/EyeEm

Cali, Colombia

A child in Cali, Colombia partakes in Dia de las Velitas, a tradition celebrated on eve of the Immaculate Conception in December.
A child in Cali, Colombia partakes in Dia de las Velitas, a tradition celebrated on eve of the Immaculate Conception in December.
Image: @CakeTanaka

Eltham, Australia

The photographer holds up a shot of Jagermeister in Australia, which typically boasts warm and sunny Christmases. Eltham, Vic, Australia @petersawers
The photographer holds up a shot of Jagermeister during a Christmas lunch in Eltham, Victoria, Australia.
Image: @petersawers/EyeEm

London, UK

The 2015 Santa Skate in London near Knightsbridge.
The 2015 Santa Skate in London near Knightsbridge.
Image: @eachat/EyeEm

Tokyo, Japan

A holiday street scene in Shibuya, Tokyo.
A holiday street scene in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Image: @kt_pics/EyeEm

Lugano, Switzerland

Decorated balconies in Lugano, Switzerland.
Decorated balconies in Lugano, Switzerland.
Image: @Elena_Ph/EyeEm

Auckland, New Zealand

@debbieu Wintertime decorations in Auckland, New Zealand, where Christmas is typically warm.
@debbieu Wintertime decorations in Auckland, New Zealand, where Christmas is typically warm.
Image: @debbieu/EyeEm

Lisbon, Portugal

Decorations in Lisbon, Portugal's historical Alfama district.
Decorations in Lisbon, Portugal’s historical Alfama district.
Image: @irasimonova/EyeEm

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Wrapped presents in the Netherlands.
@FrameMePleasePics Nijmegen (the Netherlands)
Image: @FrameMePleasePics/EyeEm

Bucharest, Romania

A holiday market in Bucharest, Romania.
A holiday market in Bucharest, Romania.
Image: @GryllusMinimus/EyeEm

Durango, Mexico

A window inDurango, Mexico.
A window in Durango, Mexico.
Image: @cavazte/EyeEm

Singapore

An enormous Christmas decoration in front of ION Shopping Mall, Orchard Road, Singapore.
An enormous Christmas decoration in front of ION Shopping Mall, Orchard Road, Singapore.
Image: @merpig/EyeEm