December, the last month of the year, is full of fun and frolic. People from various regions, religions, and cultures observe and enjoy their holidays in December. Therefore, ahead is a list of various December Global Holidays people love to celebrate across the globe.
Christmas
Christmas is an annual event billions of people in the world observe on December 25. It is a loved religious occasion as well as a cultural and economic event that spans the globe. For two millennia, people have celebrated it with religious and secular rites and traditions. Likewise, Christians observe the birth of Jesus of Nazareth by celebrating Christmas Day. He was a divine head whose teachings are at the heart of their belief system. Hence, people exchange gifts, grace Christmas trees, attend church services, and enjoy meals with family and friends on Christmas. Moreover, little ones gladly await the arrival of Santa Clause by hanging socks on Christmas trees.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year, falls on December 31 in the Gregorian calendar. Many nations celebrate New Year’s Eve with night time events like dancing, eating, drinking, and watching or lighting crackers. Besides, some Christians even attend a night service. The affairs usually carry on until midnight on New Year’s Day, January 1.
St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights people observe on December 13 in honor of St. Lucia. She was one of the first Christian martyrs, slain by the Romans in 304 CE for her religious beliefs. In Scandinavia, however, the event ushers in the Christmas season. It aims at bringing hope and light even during the darkest season of the year. Thus, families celebrate St. Lucia’s Day at home by having one of their daughters dress in white. Moreover, she has to serve coffee and baked goods like saffron bread and ginger biscuits to other family members.
Festivus
Festivus is a global holiday which takes place on December 23. Nonetheless, it officially rose to fame in 1997. The aim of this spoof holiday is to pay heed to Christmas materialism. Rather than buying a costly Christmas tree, people celebrate Festivus by standing around a plain aluminum pole. Moreover, the holiday has become popular now mostly among canny spenders and minimalists.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a new week-long holiday in the US honoring the African-American culture and ancestry. People celebrate it from December 26 to January 1. The festival winds up in a large feast and gift exchange. In reaction to the Watts Riots in Los Angeles in 1965, this holiday rose to fame. By the same token, it aimed to bring African-Americans together as a group.
Yule
Yule is a winter holiday that lasts 12 days. People in Germany observe it around the winter solstice in December and January. It is a magical time, and thus, sheds light on cultural worth, rebirth and renewal.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that begins on the 25th of Kislev and usually falls between November and December. The festival is also famous as the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights. Moreover, it marks the devotion of Jerusalem’s Holy Temple following the Maccabean revolt over the Syrian-Greek army. It lasts for 8 days and nights. The most common Hanukkah custom is lighting a menorah.
Ōmisoka
Ōmisoka is a chief Japanese holiday that falls around the same time as New Year’s Day in the USA. Therefore, it marks the start of a new year, which ushers in new hopes. Hence, people clean their homes and remove previous year’s litter. They feast with their friends and family and visit Shinto shrines at midnight to enjoy the event.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a public holiday in the UK that occurs on December 26, one day after Christmas. The general public enjoys a day off. Besides, most stores and schools remain closed. Earlier, employers gave their workers money, food, clothing, and other gifts on this day. In modern times, however, it is a vital day for sporting events and the start of post-Christmas sales.
World AIDS Day
People across the globe get together on World AIDS Day to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and show global unity. The day enables public and private sector partners to provide insights about the present scene of the disease. In addition, it also aspires to aid global advances in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care. Nevertheless, it has become one of the world’s most famous health days. As a result, the day serves as a crucial scope to raise awareness and mourn the dead. It also records acts such as high access to cure and better services.
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