nochebuena

It is [..] the night when Santa Claus or his international variants, make their rounds giving gifts to good children.
In the Czech Republic, where St. Nicholas (sv. Mikuláš) gave his sweet gifts already more than two weeks earlier, is Ježíšek, that is Child Jesus, the Christmas gift-giver.
In Italy presents are opened on the morning of Christmas Eve, while in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Argentina, Portugal, Quebec and Poland, Christmas presents are opened on that evening, and in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English Canada and Australia mostly on the morning of Christmas Day.
In Finland Joulupukki personally meets children and gives presents in the evening of Christmas Eve.
In most parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland Christmas presents are opened in the evening of December 24th ('Bescherung').
In Spain and Latin America gifts are opened on the morning of January 6, Epiphany day ("Día de Los Reyes"), tho in some other countries, like Argentina and Uruguay people received present in Christmas and on the moring of Epiphany day.
In Iceland Christmas starts at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Church bells ring at that time and people either sit down for holiday dinner at home or with closest family. After that they open gifts and spend the evening together.
In Slavic countries, it is known as Wygilia, and being invited to attend a Wygilia dinner with a family is considered a high honor.
In North America, there is a mixture of families opening gifts in the evening and, more commonly, on Christmas Day morning.
In Quebec and among many francophone families living in other provinces, the Réveillon is held on Christmas Eve with traditional food such as tourtière, attendance at Mass and the opening of gifts.
Olentzero is a Basque Christmas tradition. According to Basque traditions Olentzero comes to town late at night on the 24th Dec. to drop off presents for children. There are many variations of this old tradition. Over the centuries the "story" of Olentzero has been modified over and over again to adapt it to the new times. [...] The church wanted to turn the pagan custom related to the winter solstice into a Christian feast with a Christian-like hero. Basque nationlism wanted an alternative to the Spanish tradition of the Magi and the French and North European Père Noel and Santa Claus.