Some Christmas traditions mirror pre-Christian festivities, but some pagan influences may have been overstated.

Credit: Anna Efetova via Getty Images It's often claimed that many of today's Christmas traditions derive from the pre-Christian observances of pagan cults suppressed by Roman authorities.

Venture into Somerset’s cider country to mark the turning of apple season at a traditional wassailing ceremony.

Pagans have many different beliefs. Rider believes in Norse traditions with an emphasis on gods like Odin and Thor. Others ...

It's often claimed that many of today's Christmas traditions derive from the pre-Christian observances of pagan cults suppressed by Roman authorities. The story goes that, after Christianity ...

In Solvang, a town known for its Christmas spirit, a pagan tree-burning ritual serves as the season's biggest highlight.

But other Christmas traditions go back further ... As in other parts of the world, the pagan Vikings celebrated the midwinter period with feasting which they called “Yuletide.” ...

With the arrival of Christianity, some traditions between Yule and Christmas became blended. “Wreaths represent the never-ending wheel of time in many Pagan traditions. Evergreens are ...

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