How South Australia's different cultures will celebrate Christmas Justin Lang and Rebecca MaCallan with their traditional German Christmas decorations. Photo: Calum Robertson Source: News Limited Rebecca Macallan from the German Village Shop in Hahndorf with some traditional German Christmas decorations. NUTCRACKERS, cooked carp, mulled wine and whacks from scary beasts ... 'tis the season for international festive traditions. More than 350,000 South Australians were born overseas and according to the 2011 Census, top ancestries claimed by South Australian residents are English, Australian, Scottish, German, Irish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Dutch, Indian, Polish, Vietnamese, Filipino and Welsh. South Australians originated from more than 200 countries, speak more than 200 languages and believe in about approximately 100 religions. More: Got you Christmas lights up? Let us know for our map It all culminates in a merry multicultural Christmas for many Adelaide households. For Adelaide-based Europeans, Saint Nicholas Day on December 6 is a highlight marked with a children's festival. Traditionally, youngsters put a boot outside the front door on the night of December 5 which is filled with gifts and sweets if they were well behaved and a tree branch if they were not. According to Justin Lang, owner of Hahndorf's The German Village Shop, today marks the beginning of an exciting lead-up to Christmas. "Every Sunday in the lead-up to Christmas we light a candle," said Mr Lang, 24, from Hahndorf, whose grandfather Hanz Fetzer arrived in Adelaide on a ship from Germany in 1933. "I will continue my family's traditions in the future," Mr Lang said. Especially when I have children. I'm a strong believer in having good quality German gifts because that's what we got as kids. More: Send in your Christmas tree photos Major German Christmas celebrations occur on the eve of December 24 with gift swapping, carols and Christmas stories. The 25 and 26 of December is devoted to visiting family and eating turkey, goose, carp and vegetables such as red cabbage. Tomorrow Hahndorf comes alive with its annual Saint Nicholas Parade. The Austrian community is also gearing up for celebrations of their own. The Austrian Association of SA's Gerhard Lachs says it's all about Krampus at the Austrian Club on Saturday. Krampus, a beastlike creature from Alpine folklore was said to punish naughty children during the Yule season. "I originally come from the city of Vienna and experienced this tradition as a lad," said Mr Lachs, 70, from Surrey Downs. "We hold a celebration every year near the date - Saint Nicholas and Krampus will both be there," he said. More: Take our Christmas survey I've been here in Australia for 58 years and it took us years to adjust to the hot Christmas. We always celebrate Christmas on the 24th and the Christmas tree never went up until then. It stayed up at least until the 6th of January, or for the more religious people, until the 2nd of February. Here the tree goes up when the pageant happens or the shops start selling decorations and as soon as Christmas is over - gone! Meanwhile, across town, French expats will do what they do best during the festive season - eat. "The French usually eat turkey or duck, chestnuts, Christmas log, oysters, foie gras, mulled wine and champagne," said Dominique Liard from the Alliance Française d'Adelaide. In the South of France in Provence, people eat 13 desserts as a symbol for the 12 Apostles and Jesus. Cultural Christmas events St Nicholas Parade Children's activities commence 6pm at St Paul's Church (free sausage sizzle). Parade begins at 7pm and concludes at Hahndorf Academy for carols, tea, coffee and cake. 6 Dec., Main St, Hahndorf, 8388 7487, hahndorfsa.org.au French Christmas Market The Alliance Française d'Adelaide celebrates festive French fodder, 30 exhibitors, children's activities and live music performances. 6 Dec. (5pm-10pm) and 7 Dec. (10am-8pm), Soldiers Memorial Garden, Thomas Street, Unley, free entry, af.org.au Krampus-Rummel Austrian Christmas cheer at its entertaining best. Join St Nicholas and Krampus for a night of music, dancing, traditional nosh and gifts (bring presents for St Nicholas to distribute to your table mates). Sat 7 Dec., from 6pm, Austrian Club, 11-17 Torrens Rd, Ovingham, 8322 2226, austrianclubsa.com Adelaide Fijians Christmas Party More than 240 Fijian families call Adelaide home. Help them welcome newly arrived families with traditional entertainment and dishes cooked underground. 7 Dec., from 7pm, Westbourne Park Primary School, 2 Marlborough St, adelaidefijians.com