December is a month full of celebration, tradition, and festivities that span across cultures and continents. While Christmas might be the most widely recognized holiday, there are many other significant celebrations that take place around the world. Here are 11 holidays the world celebrates in December:
1. Christmas (December 25)
- Celebrated by Christians worldwide, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, festive meals, and community services. Christmas is widely celebrated in many countries, even outside Christian communities, with unique traditions, decorations, and food. With the holiday season in full swing, buying Christmas gifts online has become a popular and convenient option for many. Online shopping allows you to find the perfect presents from the comfort of your home, avoiding the stress of crowded malls and long lines. Whether you’re searching for personalized items, trendy gadgets, or festive décor, there are countless online stores offering a wide variety of gifts to suit every taste and budget.
2. Hanukkah (Varies, usually in December)
- Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is marked by lighting the menorah, singing special songs, and enjoying traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
3. Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1)
- Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It celebrates African heritage, unity, and community with a focus on seven principles, or “Nguzo Saba,” such as unity, self-determination, and faith. Each night, a candle is lit on a special candleholder called a Kinara.
4. St. Nicholas Day (December 6)
- St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in many European countries to honor St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. In countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland, children leave shoes or stockings out for St. Nicholas to fill with small gifts or sweets.
5. Boxing Day (December 26)
- Boxing Day, celebrated in the UK, Canada, and some other Commonwealth nations, traditionally involved giving gifts to the less fortunate. Today, it’s a public holiday marked by sales, sporting events, and family gatherings.
6. Festivus (December 23)
- Popularized by the TV show Seinfeld, Festivus is a humorous holiday celebrated by some as an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas. Traditions include the “Airing of Grievances” and the “Feats of Strength,” along with a festive pole instead of a Christmas tree.
7. Bodhi Day (December 8)
- Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. It is observed with meditation, reflection, and acts of compassion and kindness.
8. Las Posadas (December 16-24)
- A traditional Mexican holiday, Las Posadas celebrates the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The holiday is marked by reenactments, processions, and festive gatherings with food, music, and prayer.
9. Winter Solstice (Around December 21)
- The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is celebrated in many cultures as a time of renewal and the return of the light. The ancient Romans celebrated it with the festival of Saturnalia, and many modern pagans observe it as Yule, with feasts and rituals honoring the earth’s cycles.
10. New Year’s Eve (December 31)
- While New Year’s Eve is celebrated globally, each country and culture has its own unique traditions. From fireworks in Sydney to countdown parties in Times Square, people celebrate the end of the year and welcome the beginning of the next with parties, toasts, and resolutions.
11. Sinterklaas (December 5-6)
- Sinterklaas is a holiday celebrated in the Netherlands and Belgium, similar to St. Nicholas Day. Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat from Spain, bringing gifts for children on the night of December 5, known as “Sinterklaasavond,” with festivities continuing through December 6.
December is a month that brings diverse cultural celebrations, each with its own rich traditions and history. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or one of the many other holidays, it’s a time for joy, reflection, and togetherness across the globe. Discover 11 global holidays celebrated in December, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more. Christmas, a time for family, festive meals, and gift-giving, is celebrated worldwide, even outside Christian communities, with unique traditions. Plus, find out how to buy gifts online for your loved ones this holiday season.
