Christmas Welsh Phrases
Nadolig
Christmas is called "Nadolig" in Welsh and is celebrated on 25 December. The greeting is "Nadolig Llawen!" (Merry Christmas!).
Christmas in Wales — Nadolig — carries unique traditions: the Plygain carol service, the Mari Lwyd, and the tradition of Calennig on New Year's Day. Here are the Welsh phrases for the festive season.
Essential phrases
Nadolig Llawen!
Merry Christmas!
The standard Welsh Christmas greeting
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
Happy New Year!
The New Year greeting
Plygain
Early morning carol service
Unique Welsh tradition — sung by candlelight before dawn
Mari Lwyd
Grey Mare
The wassailing horse skull tradition — uniquely Welsh
Calennig
New Year's Day gifts
Children go door to door for luck and small gifts
Siôn Corn
Santa Claus
Welsh Santa — literally 'chimney John'
Coeden Nadolig
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree in Welsh
Anrhegion
Presents / gifts
The gifts under the tree
Cinio Nadolig
Christmas dinner
The feast — turkey, roast potatoes, and all the trimmings
Noswyl Nadolig
Christmas Eve
The night before Christmas
Dydd San Steffan
St Stephen's Day / Boxing Day
26 December
Bendithion y Nadolig
Christmas blessings
A warm traditional greeting
Tân a golau
Fire and light
Central to Welsh winter traditions
The history of Nadolig
Welsh Christmas traditions are among the most distinctive in Europe. The Plygain is an early-morning carol service held by candlelight, with groups singing traditional three-part harmonies. The Mari Lwyd is a wassailing tradition where a horse skull decorated with ribbons is carried door to door, challenging householders to a battle of wits in verse. Calennig on New Year's Day sees children going from house to house carrying evergreen twigs and splashing water for luck.
Further reading
Go beyond the phrases
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