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With only 35 inhabitants and no electricity, the island of Foula celebrates Christmas in January. Discover the traditions of this remote community in the United Kingdom.
Imagine living in a place without access to the national power grid, no Wi-Fi signal, and where supplies depend solely on the conditions of the sea and sky. This is the daily life of the 35 inhabitants of Foula, an island located in the Shetland archipelago, considered one of the most remote points in the United Kingdom.
Due to this geographical isolation and a strong attachment to traditions, the community maintains its own pace of life, which includes celebrating Christmas only on January 6, ignoring the schedule followed by the rest of the Western world in 2026.
The challenge of self-sufficiency in the far north
Reaching Foula is a task that requires patience. Access is made by a ferry that operates three times a week — on a journey of approximately two hours — or by small aircraft departing from Shetland.
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However, the severe climate of the region often interrupts these services, leaving residents isolated.
For visitors who wish to experience the island and witness the January Christmas, preparation must be rigorous:
- Food: It is mandatory to bring your own food, as accommodations do not provide meals.
- Accommodation: There are no hotels; stays are independent and simplified.
- Length of stay: It is recommended to book between four or five nights to ensure that the weather allows for departure.
- Infrastructure: There are no bars, shops, or any type of local commerce.
The legacy of Julius Caesar: The Julian calendar
The reason why Christmas and New Year in Foula occur in January dates back to Ancient Rome. The community decided to maintain the Julian calendar, a system introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C.
While the rest of the United Kingdom migrated to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the inhabitants of this small island chose not to update their timekeeping.
The situation became even more distinct in the year 1900. With the adoption of modern rules for leap years in the Gregorian calendar, the difference between the two systems increased.
This caused the festivities in Foula to be celebrated exactly 12 days later than in the rest of Great Britain, setting the nativity on January 6.
Tradition preserved against modernity
While most Christmas decorations around the world have already been taken down by 2026, Foula preserves the spirit of late celebration as a symbol of its unique identity.
Isolation, which seems like a difficulty for many, has served as a protective barrier so that the 1,600-year history of the calendar is not forgotten.
In this way, the New Year only arrives for these 35 residents in the middle of the first month of the civil year, keeping Foula as a temporal refuge where the clock of modernity has not yet managed to dictate the rules.
With information from Casa Vogue
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