December is officially here! While this month can mean less daylight, colder weather, and icy roads for us here in Minnesota, it is also a month filled with celebrations, festivities, and holidays. Various cultural, religious, and geographical communities gather together all over the world to celebrate over 50 unique days in December. From national independence days in Libya, Finland, and 6 other countries, to religious holidays like Day Rōhatsu and Hanukkah or Chanukah, people all over the world come together to celebrate and remember.
With so many different festivities happening this time of the year, it can be easy to only look at the differences in celebrations. However, there is so much that brings us together in December. Many festivities include beautiful lights, such as the seven candles of Kwanzaa, Christmas lights hung on roofs and patios, and the nine candles of Hanukkah. Reflection is also a common theme in many December holidays. Deep spiritual reflection is a common practice during Yule, and people often reflect on purification during Hpoi Soyal.
In the United States, we are used to seeing and hearing “Merry Christmas” everywhere we go. While Christmas is an important holiday for Christians and non-Christians alike, it is important to remember that there are many people celebrating other special holidays in December. Let’s celebrate the diversity of December!
Below is a list of some common holidays across the world in December. We encourage you to check these out, there is deep meaning and tradition behind each one. Remember, this is not a comprehensive list!
· Boxing Day
· Christmas
· Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe)
· Feast of St. Nicholas
· Feast of Santo Tomas
· Feast of the Holy Innocents
· Feast of the Immaculate Conception
· Fiesta of Santo Tomás in Guatemala
· Fiesta of Santo Tomas
· Hanukkah / Chanukah
· Hopi Soyal
· HumanLight
· Immaculate Conception Day
· Koliada
· Kwanzaa
· Krampusnacht
· Las Posadas / Novenario
· Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi
· New Year’s Eve
· Omisoka
· Pancha Ganapati
· Quaid-e-Azam’s Day
· Rohatsu
· Santa Lucia
· Saturnalia
· Shougatsu
· Soyal
· St. John’s Day
· St. Lucia’s Day
· St. Nicholas Day
· St. Stephen’s Day
· St. Stephen’s Day
· Udhauli Prava
· Victory Day (Bangladesh)
· Winter Solstice
· Yule
· Zarathosht Diso / Zartosht No-Diso
· Zawadi Day Please email info@hammclinic.org if there are any holidays or celebrations you would like to add to this list for others to see.