Festivals
Events
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Shichi-Go-San
Shichi-Go-San literally means 7-5-3 in Japanese. The festival, held every November 15, is a traditional rite of passage for Japanese boys turning 3 and 5 and girls turning 3 and 7…
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Elephant Round-Up, Thailand
The Surin Elephant Round-up is held every year in Thailand during the third weekend of November. Activities include elephants parading through the streets, partaking in the famous “elephant breakfast,” and demonstrations, games, and traditional events.
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Loy Krathong, Thailand
During Loy Krathong, a traditional Thai festival, people release small decorated floats, known as "krathongs," onto rivers and waterways as a gesture of respect and gratitude to the water spirits, while also symbolically letting go of negativity and misfortunes.
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Monkey Buffet Festival
The Monkey Buffet Festival is held each year in Lopburi, Thailand, where residents prepare colorful feasts of fruits and vegetables for the city’s macaque monkeys. The festival celebrates the monkeys’ special place in local culture and draws visitors from around the world.
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St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia's Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland on December 13 in honour of St. Lucia (St. Lucy).
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Las Posadas
Las Posadas, ("The Inns" in Spanish) is a Mexican Christmas tradition that reenacts Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Celebrated from December 16th to 24th, it involves processions, caroling, and symbolic representations of the biblical story, culminating in a feast and breaking of a piñata.
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Yalda Festival
Yalda, an ancient Persian festival, is a winter solstice celebration that takes place on the longest and darkest night of the year.
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Dongzhi Festival
The Dongzhi Festival, also known as the Winter Solstice Festival, is a traditional Chinese celebration marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, typically falling on or around December 21st or 22nd. Rooted in the ancient philosophy of yin and yang, the festival signifies the turning point when days start to become longer,…
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La Noche de los Rábanos, Mexico
La Noche de los Rábanos, or The Night of the Radishes, is an annual tradition in Oaxaca, Mexico for carving festive radishes during the Christmas season. Click here for information.