December Global Holidays: Time for Worldwide Celebration

It’s difficult to keep track of all the major December Global Holidays. People from all walks of the globe celebrate holidays in unique ways, including Hanukkah and Christmas.

List of December Global Holidays (From December 1st through December 31st)

DECEMBER GLOBAL HOLIDAYS	DATE	WHO CELEBRATES
World AIDS Day	December 1st	Worldwide
Krampusnacht	December 5th	Germany, Austria and other European countries
St. Nicholas Day	December 6th	Some European countries
Bodhi Day	December 8th	Japan – Mostly Japan. Side note: Some Buddhists observe Bodhi Day according to the lunar calendar.
Immaculate Conception	December 8th	Catholic communities all over the globe
Human Rights Day	December 10th	Worldwide
St. Lucia’s Day	December 13th	Scandinavian countries, Italy
Las Posadas	December 16th-24th	Mexico
Hanukkah 2022	December 18th-December 26th	Jewish communities all over the globe
International Human Solidarity Day	December 20th	Worldwide
Winter Solstice	December 21st	Worldwide
Yule	December 21st	Germany and Scandinavia
Festivus	December 23rd	Some non-religious folks
Christmas Eve	December 24th	Many countries have Christian roots around the globe
Christmas	December 25th	Many countries have Christian roots around the globe
Boxing Day	December 26th	Most commonwealth countries
Stephen’s Day	December 26th	Some European countries
Kwanzaa	Dec 26th – 1st Jan	American communities of African descent in the USA
New Year’s Eve	December 31st	Worldwide
Omisoka	December 31st	Japan

World AIDS Day (December 1st)

Every year, December 1st is World AIDS Day. This day is a chance for people around the world to come together in fighting HIV/AIDS. This day serves to remind people of the importance and education of this deadly disease.

Krampusnacht (December 5)

Krampusnacht (or the Night of Krampus) is a traditional holiday that Austria’s Alpine regions celebrates on December 5th.

Nicholas Day (December 6)

St. Nicholas Day, which is observed on December 6, is a very popular holiday across Europe.

Saint Nicholas was a saint who was well-known for his kindness and generosity. This holiday is based on the life of this saint. Some believe that St. Nicholas is a European Santa Claus. They are not the same, despite their similarities.

Bodhi Day (December 8)

The Buddhist world celebrates December 8th.

This holiday celebrates the day Siddhartha Gautama (the founder of Buddhism) attained enlightenment beneath a Bodhi tree, and then began sharing his teachings.

Buddhists meditate on Bodhi Day and reflect upon the principles of their faith. They then celebrate peacefully and quietly.

Immaculate Conception (December 8th)

Catholics all over the globe celebrate Immaculate Conception Day on December 8.

This holiday celebrates the date that Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, was born free from original sin.

Catholics attend mass on this day and offer prayers in honor of Mary.

Human Rights Day (December 10th)

People around the world celebrate Human Rights Day on December 10,

This holiday marks the date that the United Nations adopted The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This declaration was created as a collective response against the horrors of World War II. It clearly defined a set of common standards and rules to protect and recognize the dignity of all humans.

People often reflect on the importance and work for justice and equality on this day.

Spend Human Rights Day learning about human rights and how to protect them.

Lucia’s Day (December 13th)

St. Lucia’s Day on December 13th is one of Scandinavia’s most beloved holidays.

This holiday is dedicated to Saint Lucy, also known by the name Santa Lucia. She was a Christian martyr, who died in 304 AD for her faith.

Las Posadas (December 16)

Las Posadas, a Mexican holiday celebrating nine days of Christmas in Mexico and Latin America from December 16th through 24th, is celebrated across nine days. This holiday celebrates the journey of Mary, Joseph and Joseph to Bethlehem just before the birth of Jesus.

Hanukkah 2022 (December 18 – December 26)

Hanukkah, a significant Jewish holiday, commemorates Jerusalem’s rededication. Hannukah can also be called the Festival of Lights Feast of Dedication or Feast of the Maccabees. It lasts eight days. Every night, Jews light candles to recall the miracle of oil. The miracle happened after the liberation and restoration of the temple, according to religious texts. The oil jug that was supposed to last for one day actually lasted eight days.

International Human Solidarity Day (December 20)

20 December is International Human Solidarity Day. This day celebrates our common humanity and reminds us to work together to create a better, more just world.

Winter Solstice (December 21)

The Winter Solstice, the first day of winter, is celebrated by many cultures around the globe. The 21st of December is the shortest and longest day and night of the year, making it Winter Solstice.

The reasons for this holiday vary depending on the culture, but most people believe that it is a time of gratitude for the bounty of nature and harvest.

While each culture’s celebrations of Winter Solstice are different, many traditions include feasting and lighting bonfires. Others participate in rituals and ceremonies that honor the Sun, bring good fortune for the next year.

Yule (December 21)

Yule Day is December 21st. It is a Germanic Pagan Winter Solstice holiday.

Yule is a celebration of the Sun’s rebirth and the start of winter. According to Pagans, the Winter solstice marks a time when communication with other realms is easier because the veil between worlds is thinner.

Yule is celebrated by people lighting candles and decorating their homes with greenery. Many people also create a Yule log for the night of the Solstice. It is important to bring good fortune and keep away evil spirits.

Festivus (December 23)

Festivus can be celebrated on December 23. The TV series Seinfeld made Festivus a popular holiday.

One of the show’s writers Dan O’Keefe was inspired by his family’s holiday traditions. He came up with the idea for Festivus.

In recent years, this unusual holiday has gained popularity among those who don’t like Christmas’s materialistic and commercial aspects and want something different.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

This list would not be complete without Christmas Eve, one of the most widely anticipated global holidays in December. Christmas Eve is a traditional holiday celebrated by Christians all over the globe on December 24th. It is the day that Jesus Christ was born. This holiday is one of celebration and preparations for tomorrow.

Christmas Eve is celebrated in many cultures as a time to decorate the Christmas tree, exchange gifts, attend church masses and spend time with friends and family.

Christmas (December 25)

Christians around the globe celebrate Christmas. It marks the 25th anniversary of Jesus Christ’s birth. Christmas is a time when friends and family can get together, have fun and share gifts.

Boxing Day (December 26)

Boxing Day is a holiday that many Commonwealth countries celebrate, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Canada. It’s falls on December 26th, and it is usually a day off work or school. Boxing Day allows people to unwind and spend quality time with their loved ones.

Boxing Day is named after the tradition of giving money or food in boxes to the less fortunate on this day.

Stephen’s Day (December 26)

Christians celebrate Stephen’s Day on December 26th, also known by the Feast of Saint Stephen.

It is dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Many countries celebrate this holiday with special traditions and feasts.

Kwanzaa (Dec 26th – 1st Jan)

Kwanzaa, a holiday that celebrates African culture and heritage, is mostly celebrated in the United States. It lasts for a week, December 26th through January 1st.

Maulana Karenga (an activist and professor from Africa) introduced the holiday in 1960. Kwanzaa is founded on seven principles known as the Nguzo Taba. Kwanzaa principles are unity, self-determination and collective work and responsibility. They also include purpose, creativity and faith.

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

All over the globe, New Year’s Eve falls on December 31st.

Although there are many traditions associated with this holiday, the common theme is one of hope and renewal.

Many people use New Year’s Eve to reflect on the year past and make resolutions for the next one. These resolutions are often short-lived (just kidding). This is also a time for friends and loved ones to celebrate.

Omisoka (December 31)

You’ve heard of New Year’s Eve. But have you heard about Omisoka? This is the Japanese version.

Families gather to declutter their homes and enjoy special foods such as soba noodles. Long noodles are a symbol of a long and healthy life.

1. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt

One of Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets is the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. It dates back to 1628 and features more than 180 wooden stalls that sell traditional handicrafts, toys and mulled wine.

2. Christkindlmarkt in Vienna

Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt is another must-see European Christmas market. It’s located on Rathouse Square. It is set against the backdrop of Vienna’s historic centre and boasts more than 150 stalls selling everything, from handmade gifts to traditional Austrian Christmas decorations to tasty food and drink.

3. Strasbourg Christmas Market

The Strasbourg Christmas Market, which is located in the beautiful Grande Ile district of Paris, is widely regarded as one of the most popular in France. There are over 300 chalets that sell everything, from homemade toys to Christmas tree decorations and baeckeoffe local specialties.

4. Piazza Novana, Rome’s Christmas Market

There are many great Christmas markets in Rome, but Piazza Navona is the best.

It is located around Bernini’s stunning Fountain of the Four Rivers and offers a variety of traditional Italian Christmas specialties, handcrafted wooden toys, as well as mouthwatering sweets.