Across Europe, revisions to public Christmas displays and traditions intended to be more inclusive have prompted backlash from politicians, residents and commentators. A faceless nativity in Brussels was vandalised after the city defended the contemporary installation, while a U.K. museum's call to "decolonise" Father Christmas and schools' moves to adopt "winter" events sparked criticism. The debates extend to concerns that new legal duties on employers could affect workplace holiday music and festivities.
European Christmas Traditions Stir Backlash: Faceless Nativity in Brussels and Calls to 'Decolonise' Santa
People take part in an Ugly Christmas Sweater Run on Dec. 16, 2017 in The Vondelpark in Amsterdam.
Across Europe, changes to how Christmas is presented by local governments, museums, schools and other public institutions have provoked heated debate. Officials say some updates aim to be more inclusive; critics accuse them of politicising a long-standing cultural celebration.
Brussels: A Contemporary Nativity And A Public Outcry
This month Brussels installed a modern nativity scene in the Grand Place featuring faceless figures. Promoted by the city as a contemporary, inclusive artistic interpretation, the display was later vandalised and drew sharp criticism from residents and politicians, the Catholic News Agency reported.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close defended the installation at a press briefing, saying the previous nativity had been in use for 25 years and was showing defects. He added the city wanted to strike a balance during the festive period and to protect the artist, Victoria-Maria, from personal attacks.
The installation also prompted a strong online reaction. Belgian national footballer Thomas Meunier wrote on X that "we've hit rock bottom... and we keep digging," a post that was widely reshared.
United Kingdom: Debate Over Santa, Schools And Music
In the U.K., debate intensified after a publicly funded museum re‑published a blog post proposing that Father Christmas be "decolonised." Written by Simone LaCorbinière, Joint Head of Culture Change at Brighton & Hove Museums, the post argued the conventional Santa image is "too white and too male" and questioned the idea of a single figure judging children with a "naughty or nice" list. LaCorbinière suggested diversifying portrayals of Santa, including stories that celebrate cultural exchange and even the idea of "Mother Christmases."
The remarks drew criticism from politicians. Senior Conservative MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke said the initiative was misguided and an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds during the holiday season.
Separately, some schools have faced scrutiny for restricting Christmas-themed clothing or rebranding festive events as generic "winter" or "seasonal" activities. Reports also point to renewed discussions about workplace holiday music after recent changes in employment law that place duties on employers to prevent harassment related to protected characteristics such as religion.
Wider Reaction And Context
Commentators and public figures have framed these controversies in broader cultural terms. Lord Young, head of the U.K.'s Free Speech Union, warned that stricter interpretations of the new rules could transform hospitality venues into heavily managed "safe spaces." At the same time, supporters of more inclusive approaches say institutions are trying to reflect increasingly diverse communities while avoiding exclusionary or outdated portrayals.
Why it matters: The disputes reflect a wider tension across Europe between preserving familiar traditions and adapting public displays and language to reflect pluralistic societies. The debates are playing out in public squares, museums, schools and workplaces, and they are likely to reappear each holiday season.
