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Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that remembers the restoration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. To honor the eight days of the Maccabean Revolt, a candle is lit daily on the menorah. Playing with a dreidel and eating fried foods are favored traditions during Hanukkah.
Unitarian Universalists celebrate Chalica, a week-long event from December 5 to 11. This tradition centers around a chalice, which is lit each night to honor one of the seven principles of the religion. Created in 2005, Chalica has not garnered significant popularity. The celebration is recognized by Unitarian Universalists but has not gained a major following.
Krampusnacht, celebrated on December 5, is an event that precedes Christmas in various countries including Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia. During this occasion, an ominous figure known as Krampus, who is depicted as a half goat and half demon, emerges to frighten and discipline children.
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday observed on December 8. It is a celebration of the Buddha's enlightenment, which is believed to have occurred under the Bodhi tree. The fundamentals of Buddhism are based on what the Buddha is said to have discovered on this specific day.
On December 8, the Roman Catholic religion celebrates the important holiday of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Many devotees partake in pilgrimages, occasionally carrying lit candles and humbly crawling on their hands and knees.
Las Posadas is a traditional Latin American celebration held from December 16 to 24. It involves reenacting the nativity scene with actors and costumes.
The Winter Solstice, occurring on December 21, is observed by various groups including pagans, dragoons, and spiritualists. It marks the longest night of the year and the start of longer days.
The Iranian Winter Solstice celebration, occurring on December 21, involves the reading of poetry, along with communal feasting and drinking. This celebration is similarly observed in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey.
It is a festivity celebrated in China, Japan, and Korea to observe a secular winter solstice festival that recognizes the ying and yang energies. Families come together to celebrate by sharing fatty rice balls.
December 26 is a Christian feast day honoring Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is celebrated in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Ireland, Catalonia, and Finland. The holiday holds significant importance for the Orthodox Church.
An atheist alternative to Christmas on December 25th, Newtonmas' motto is "Reason's Greetings."
Kwanzaa is a non-religious commemoration that honors the African diaspora in the Americas. Established in 1966, this celebration spans from December 26 to January 1. During Kwanzaa, seven candles are ignited to represent the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Many people commemorate New Year's Eve, transitioning into New Year's Day on January 1, whether by enjoying festivities and fireworks or watching them on TV at home.
Saint Basil, a prominent figure in Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions, passed away on January 1. He is revered for establishing communal monasticism within Christianity.
The tradition of this eastern European and Slavic origin has been incorporated into Christianity. It existed in a different form and is now observed on January 6. Participants carry homemade signs and sing traditional songs in a parade-like manner.
January 6 marks a Christian feast day known as Three Kings Day, in which the belief of God incarnating into Christ is celebrated. This day is observed globally in various ways, with some considering it akin to Christmas, while others commemorate it through a mass baptism.
Tu BiShvat, which falls in January or February each year, is an important event in the Jewish calendar, marking one of the four New Years Days. It is worth noting that this celebration is not limited to religious individuals, as both non-practicing and Hasidic Jews partake in the observance. Planting trees is a common activity during this commemoration.
Christmas is celebrated on December 24 or 25 depending on location. The Christian holiday honors the birth of Christ and is globally recognized as the most popular winter holiday. While some view it as the main reason for the season, we've now seen numerous other holidays celebrated at this time of year.
Celebrate the holiday season according to your own traditions and have a happy one!
See also: Lapland, a winter wonderland!
This traditional Gaelic festival, observed in Ireland and Scotland, celebrates the arrival of spring on February 1. Originating as a tribute to Brigid, the deity associated with fertility, it later became embraced by followers of Christianity.
Holy Innocents' Day, celebrated on December 28, is a solemn remembrance of the Massacre of the Innocents recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. Spain and Latin America observe this day with festive gatherings and traditional dances.
This Hindu festival, also dedicated to the Sun God Surya, takes place either on January 14 or 15. Activities such as flying kites, preparing sticky candy for children, and participating in water prayers are part of this celebration.
A Scottish event that takes place on December 31st, known for featuring Vikings parading with torches in the streets. It is thought that this tradition originated from either French or Norse customs.
The Christian feast day on December 13th commemorates Saint Lucy, a martyr from the third century. According to legend, she bravely provided food to persecuted Christians in hiding, relying solely on candlelight to guide her path. This is why torches are still used in today's celebrations.
Also known as Epiphany Eve, this day is observed on January 5 and is particularly popular among members of the Church of England and the Anglican Church. A common rural tradition in England involves placing fruit and Christmas cake on Christmas trees throughout the town during the night.
The Punjab winter solstice festival, taking place on January 13, encompasses dancing around a fire and showing reverence to Surya, the Sun God. Additionally, door-to-door trick-or-treating is a customary activity during this one-day celebration.
During the holiday season, many people will be celebrating Christmas. However, there are various cultural festivities that happen at the end and beginning of the year that are totally separate from this widely observed occasion. In December, January, and February, many religions and agnostic traditionalists engage in various forms of celebration, often related to the winter solstice and the new year.
Click through the gallery to find out about the beautifully vibrant and diverse holidays celebrated around Christmas time that aren't Christmas!
Winter holidays celebrated around the world
A diverse range of non-Christmas festivities are celebrated during the holiday season
TRAVEL Culture
During the holiday season, many people will be celebrating Christmas. However, there are various cultural festivities that happen at the end and beginning of the year that are totally separate from this widely observed occasion. In December, January, and February, many religions and agnostic traditionalists engage in various forms of celebration, often related to the winter solstice and the new year.
Click through the gallery to find out about the beautifully vibrant and diverse holidays celebrated around Christmas time that aren't Christmas!