Celebrating December Holidays around the World

December is a month of celebrations worldwide, with many cultural and religious holidays marking the season’s end and the start of winter.

These festivities often involve family gatherings, gift exchanges, and unique traditions that vary from one place to another.

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  Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival celebrated from November 28 to December 6. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and is often called the Festival of Lights. The menorah is lit during the holiday, and traditional foods, games, and gifts are shared among family and friends.

• St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas Day, also known as Feast Day, is celebrated on December 6 to honor Saint Nicholas, a bishop in 4th century Greece. In Italy, the day is celebrated with feasts, gift-giving, and festivals, while in other European countries, children leave their shoes or St. Nicholas boots in front of the fireplace or front door at night and find presents in them in the morning.

• Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, celebrated on December 8, marks the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. It is celebrated in Japan and by many Buddhists worldwide.

• Las Posadas

Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration before Christmas, is observed from December 16 to 24 in Mexico and Latin America. It begins with a procession with candles, songs, and sometimes even people playing the parts of Mary and Joseph. Every night is celebrated with gifts, piñatas, songs, parties, tamales, and prayer.

• Yule

Yule, celebrated on December 21, has pagan origins and celebrates the winter solstice. In many cultures, it is a time of renewal and is linked to Christmas traditions.

• Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice, also on December 21, marks the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a day of feasting and celebration in many cultures and is marked by modern druids at Stonehenge in England.

December holidays celebrate different cultural, historical, and religious events worldwide, but they all have one thing in common: the joy of celebrating with loved ones and sharing unique traditions that make each holiday special.