December means a festive season, no matter where in the world you are or what your religious faith is. December Global Holidays are all about good food, homely warmth, and appreciating your people across all modern cultures. Due to December global holidays, this month is also called as “World of Holidays“.
During this month, every street you go to or every store you visit, whether it be breakout escape rooms in India, a 7/11 in Milwaukee or a Daiso in Kyoto, the world seems to be wrapped up in pretty decorations and childlike giddiness.
List of December Global Holidays
During this time, the world engages in various festivals- some global and some more local. Ever wondered what people in the southern hemisphere are doing while the east coast is enjoying a snowy holiday? Read on to explore the different December holidays across the globe.
December 01, 2022 – World AIDS Day
December 01, 2022 – United Arab Emirates (National Day)
December 02, 2022 – National Pollution Control Day
December 02, 2022 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 03, 2022 – World Disabled Day/Feast of St. Francis Xavier
December 04, 2022 – Indian Navy Day
December 04, 2022 – Ghana (Farmer’s Day)
December 05, 2022 – International Volunteer Day
December 05, 2022 – World Soil Day
December 06, 2022 – Finland (Independence Day)
December 06, 2022 – Spain (Constitution Day)
December 07, 2022 – Thailand (King Bhumibol’s Birthday)
December 08, 2022 – National Brownie Day
December 09, 2022 – International Anti-Corruption Day
December 10, 2022 – Human Rights Day
December 11, 2022 – International Mountain Day
December 12, 2022 – National Amrit Day
December 13, 2022 – National Cocoa Day
December 13, 2022 – National Violin Day
December 14, 2022 – National Energy Conservation Day
December 14, 2022 – National Alabama Day
December 14, 2022 – Monkey Day
December 15, 2022 – International Tea Day
December 15, 2022 – National Cupcake Day
December 16, 2022 – Victory Day
December 17, 2022 – Wright Brothers Day
December 18, 2022 – Minority Rights Day in India
December 18, 2022 – National Twin Day
December 18, 2022 – National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 19, 2022 – Goa Liberation Day
December 20, 2022 – International Day of Human Solidarity
December 20, 2022 – National Sangria Day
December 21, 2022 – National Men’s Day
December 22, 2022 – National Mathematics Day
December 22, 2022 – National Date Nut Bread Day
December 23, 2022 – Farmer’s Day
December 24, 2022 – National Consumer Rights Day
December 24, 2022 – National Egg Day
December 24, 2022 – Christmas Eve
December 25, 2022 – Christmas Day
December 25, 2022 – Good Governance Day (India)
December 26, 2022 – Boxing Day (Canada)
December 27, 2022 – National Fruitcake Day
December 28, 2022 – National Short Film Day
December 29, 2022 – National Hero Day
December 30, 2022 – Bacon Day
December 31, 2022 – New Year’s Eve
1) Hanukkah – 28th November to 6th December
This Jewish holiday is a prolonged eight-day festival and is often known by various other names in different countries. The festival marks the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem, closely following the Maccabean Revolt. During this time, Jewish families ignite the celebratory menorah.
The families generally light the menorah using an initial candle first, and then each new candle is lighted upon each day of this eight-day festival. The Jewish families further even chant the sacred Judaic hymns while the candles are ignited. People also exchange small gifts and dreidels with each other.
Where It Is Celebrated
How to Reach
By Air: Nearest airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan Bergamo (BGY).
By Train: St. Peter Molinis is nearest train station.
By Bus: Furna, Hinterberg, Furna, Gärbi
Estimated Cost
It will cost around $300 to $1000 depending on distance of your origin.
2) World AIDS Day – 1st Dec
December 1 is celebrated as World AIDS Day. This day is a tribute to those who lost their lives to AIDS. On this day, people do roadshows and awareness campaigns on large scale. It was first celebrated in 1988 by all UN member states.
Not only this, the WHO decides a new theme every year. This year’s theme was “End inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”.
Where It Is Celebrated in USA
US Agency International Development in Washington celebrates world aids day.
How to Reach
By Air: Dulles International Airport is just 25 miles away from USAID head office.
By Train: Nearest station Southwest Federal Center is just 1 mile away.
By Bus: Greyhound Bus Station is just 1.4 miles away.
Estimated Cost
It will cost around $200 to $500 for US citizens to reach here.
3) Krampusnacht – 5th December
Krampusnacht is a Gernman word that means “Krampus Night“. Krampus is an Australian festival celebrated on 5th December every year. It was celebrated in 2013 for the first time. Later, it caught the eye of many fun loving people and is now celebrated across the world.
Krampus is a devil-like figure who captures the annoying children. In the early stages, it was considered as “pagan supernatural”. But, now this event is celebrated on large scale. People dress like Kampus to celebrate this festival and go on parades.
Where It was Originated
Where It Is Celebrated in Australia
How to Reach
By Air: Milan Bergamo (BGY) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) has distance of 95 miles and 130 miles respectively.
By Train: St. Peter Molinis track is just 80 miles away.
By Bus: Furna, Hinterberg, Furna, Gärbi and Furna, Rasitsch
Estimated Cost
It will cost around $500 to $1100 depending on your stay as hotels here are quite expensive.
4) St. Nicholas Day – 6th December
Saint Nicholas is remembered as one who devoted his entire life to the poor and needy people. He sold nearly everything he had to earn money to help people in poverty. This festival is celebrated by several countries in Europe right from the eve of the 5th of December, but Russia and Greece do it in the grandest way. During this time, people share small gifts or tokens of love to mark the occasion.
Where It Is Celebrated in USA
It is celebrated in German influenced parts of USA like Newport News in Virginia, Milwaukee in Wisconsin, Fredericksburg in Texas, Evansville in Indiana an Cincinnati in Ohio.
How to Reach
People can easily reach these location using any type of travel options like air, train and bus.
5) Feast of the Immaculate Conception – 8th December
Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated by many Christian communities on December 8th every year. People believe that the mother of Christ(Mary) was conceived without sins, making her conception immaculate. These types of December Global Holidays are celebrated by Christian communities.
Where It Is Celebrated in USA
Catholic Churches in Missouri, Texas, Alabama, Washington, Florida, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts and New York celebrate Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
How to Reach
People can easily reach these location using any type of travel options like air, train and bus.
Estimated Cost
It will cost around $20 to $100 for US citizens to reach here.
6) St. Lucia Day – 13th December
Santa Lucia Day is marked as a festival that pays homage to Lucia of Syracuse, the earliest known Christian Martyr. During the festival, young girls are dressed up in long robes, with wreaths of flowers and candles on their heads.
The candle’s light symbolizes the light during the upcoming dark and cold winters. Many counties even host concerts and processions to mark the occasion.
Where It Is Celebrated
Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland.
How to Reach
Most preferable method of travel is by bus or train. People outside of the Sweden have to opt in for Air.
Estimated Cost
It will cost from $20 to $100 once you reach there. However, flight charges will be extra.
7) Las Posadas – 16th December to 24 December
Las Posadas is celebrated to commemorate Mary’s struggle to find accommodation during her journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Pasadad is a Spanish word that means lodgings or accommodation.
Las Pasadas is also known as “Mexican Christmas”. It is celebrated in Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala and Hispanics(United States). During these 9 days, one family host the event and house the pilgrims each night.
8) Winter Solstice – 20th or 21st or 22nd or 23rd December
The shortest day of the year is also celebrated as a grand festival across the globe – Winter Solstice. In different years, this day falls on either the 20th, 21st, 22nd, or 23rd of December. People who live in various parts of the world commemorate this day by lighting up candles or bonfires to mark the onset of the coldest days.
While some people rejoice at the thought of skiing, ice-skating or other winter sports, for some others, it marks the onset of the toughest days of the year!
9) Yule – 21st December to 1st January
This pagan holiday is celebrated in Germany and all German-speaking communities across the globe. Yule or Yuletide is seen as an old and traditional holiday in the winter season. In ancient times, people celebrated this day by lighting up a bonfire and spending the long night outdoors with family. Candlelit dinners or exchanging of small gifts are also a part of the festival.
10) Festivus – 23rd December
Festivus is a holiday that marks a parody to speak out against Christian consumerism just before the coming of Christmas. In contrast to Christmas, where a costly Christmas tree is bought, here people stand beside an aluminum pole.
11) Christmas – 25th December
Of course, one cannot possibly forget the most awaited festivals of the winter season and the December Global Holidays. Celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike, this festival marks the birth of Jesus Christ, whom people believe to be the last true Prophet. This festival is celebrated by people across the world by gathering together with family and throwing a grand feast with generally home-cooked food.
The unique part of Christmas is undeniably the one where everyone gathers together around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts! While some celebrate it with a grand home-cooked meal, others might even celebrate it with friends or family at a buffet too. Many people even attend a Church service to commemorate the auspicious day.
Where It Is Celebrated in USA
Christmas is celebrated cross all USA.
How to Reach
People usually setup their own Christmas trees in their houses and societies.
12) Boxing Day – 26th December
Just the day after Christmas, Boxing Day is a day when the Church gifts alms boxes to the poor people living nearby. Often many others even celebrate this day by gifting small gifts to postmen, errand boys, or any other people whose services throughout the year are required by them.
In many countries, this festival is celebrated by organizing various kinds of sports events.
13) Kwanzaa – 26th December to 1st January
Kwanzaa is a festival that marks African-American culture and heritage. This festival is celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. Families commemorate the festival by wearing traditional African clothing to show pride in their own culture. Houses are decorated lavishly, and candles are lit for the occasion. The celebration is further accompanied by singing traditional African songs followed up by dances.
To further uphold the African cultural values, people often indulge in storytelling sessions, poetry reading, and discussion on indigenous values. The end of the day brings in a grand meal, feasted on together with the entire family. A mega feast called ‘Karamu’ is held on the 31st of December.
14) New Year’s Eve – 31st December
The winter holidays gradually come to an end with the celebration of New Year’s Eve on the 31st of December. The end of the year is generally commemorated with the hosting of grand feasts at the office or the homes.
People celebrate this time by going to a restaurant or at a club to party with their friends or colleagues. In various countries, the lighting of fireworks also forms a crucial part of celebrating this time. All across the world, people celebrate this time to mark the end of a year and make resolutions for the new year lying ahead of them!
15) Omisoka – 31st December
In Japan, a festival called Omisoka is held on 31st December. It is celebrated according to traditional Japanese culture, where families clear off the entire clutter of the passing year in their house, to welcome the new year. Of course, the day finally ends with delving into some delicious traditional Japanese food as the family gets together under one roof.
Where It Is Celebrated
How to Reach
Best Location to Celebrate Omisoka is Ibaraki in Japan
By Air: Nearest airport is Kanpur (KNU) which is 103.9 km away.
By Train: Oarai Station is just 5 minutes away from Omisoka spot.
Video: Top 10 December Global Holidays and Festivals
December Global Holidays FAQs
Ques 1) Which month is known as the World of Holidays?
Ans) December Month is known as the World of Holidays as it hosts so many different festivities like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule, and others.
Ques 2) What is special about December?
Ans) December is the onset of the prolonged winter season and does also commemorate numerous festivities celebrated all across the world like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and so much more!
Ques 3) Where can I find the December Global Holidays List?
Ans) You can find the most important December global holidays on this page. However, you can visit timeandate.com to check other local observances.
