Las Posadas
2025-12-16
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.

Wright Brothers Day
2025-12-17
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers took their first successful flight in North Carolina. Every year on this day, Americans celebrate Wright Brothers Day to honor their contributions to aviation.

International Migrants Day
2025-12-18
Migrants are workers who move from place to place to do seasonal work. International Migrants Day is dedicated to recognizing the efforts and rights of these workers.

Arabic Language Day
2025-12-18
Established by UNESCO, the day honors the rich history, beauty, and global importance of the Arabic language.

December Solstice
2025-12-21
This day marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the shortest day of the year.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice – the longest day of the year.

Yalda Festival
2025-12-21
Yalda, an ancient Persian festival, is a winter solstice celebration that takes place on the longest and darkest night of the year.

Dongzhi Festival
2025-12-21
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, symbolizing increased positivity and light. Families gather to enjoy special foods such as tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) in southern China, representing unity and prosperity, or dumplings in northern China, traditionally eaten to ward off the cold. Dongzhi also serves as a time for honoring ancestors and celebrating renewal as winter deepens.

La Noche de los Rábanos, Mexico
2025-12-23
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.
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Christmas
2025-12-25
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is marked by festive traditions, gift-giving, and gatherings with family and friends.
Check out:
Multicultural Versions of the 12 Days of Christmas
Jólabókaflóð: A “Christmas Book Flood”
World of Cookies for Santa

Boxing Day
2025-12-26
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on the day after Christmas Day. It is celebrated in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and South Africa.
Originally it was a holiday to give gifts to the poor, but today Boxing Day is mostly known as a shopping holiday.

Kwanzaa
2025-12-26
Kwanzaa is an annual holiday, celebrated primarily in the United States, affirming African family and social values. It takes place through January 1.

Ōmisoka, Japan
2025-12-31
Ōmisoka —or ōtsugomori —is a Japanese traditional celebration on the last day of the year.
It is customary for people to clean their homes, eat soba or udon noodles, and bathe at night to rid themselves of uncleanliness. Bells are struck 108 times to bring in the new year and lift people from suffering.

New Year’s Day
2026-01-01
New Year’s Day on January 1 is celebrated by people around the world. It is a widely recognized and observed holiday in many countries and cultures. The celebration often includes various customs, traditions, and festivities to mark the beginning of the new year.

Shōgatsu, Japan
2026-01-01
Shōgatsu, or Japanese New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Japan, celebrated from January 1–3 with family gatherings, traditional foods, and special customs.
Activities include cleaning homes beforehand, decorating with kadomatsu (pine and bamboo arrangements), and visiting shrines to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
It is a time for renewal, reflection, and cultural traditions, such as enjoying osechi-ryōri (special New Year dishes) and playing traditional games.

Independence Day, Haiti
2026-01-01
Haitian Independence Day is celebrated on January 1st to commemorate the day in 1804 when Haiti declared independence from French colonial rule, becoming the first independent Black republic in the world.
Lit Connection: Freedom Soup: A Taste of Haitian Independence

World Braille Day
2026-01-04
World Braille Day is celebrated on the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of braille. Braille is a reading and writing system for people who are visually impaired.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
2026-01-05
The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is the largest ice and snow festival in the world. It takes place in Harbin, (Northeast) China.

Orthodox Christmas
2026-01-07
Orthodox Christmas, celebrated by many Eastern Orthodox Christians, follows the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. It is a deeply spiritual holiday centered on church services, hymns, and fasting, culminating in a festive meal with family.
Customs vary by region but often include blessings, candlelight processions, and the sharing of traditional foods that reflect cultural and religious heritage.

International Kite Festival
2026-01-10
The International Kite Festival, held annually during Makar Sankranti in Gujarat, India, is a vibrant celebration of artistry and culture.
The skies fill with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes as people from around the world participate in friendly competitions and showcase their designs.

Pongal
2026-01-14
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, India to honor the sun, nature, and farmers for a bountiful harvest.
Central to the festivities is the preparation of Pongal, a sweet rice dish cooked with milk and jaggery, symbolizing prosperity and gratitude. The festival includes rituals like decorating homes with kolam (rangoli designs), offering prayers, and rejoicing with family and community.

Kid Inventors' Day
2026-01-17
Kid Inventors’ Day celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of young inventors. The day encourages children to explore their innovative ideas, fostering a spirit of curiosity and discovery.

World Religion Day
2026-01-18
The aim of World Religion Day, held on the third Sunday in January every year, is to promote inter-faith understanding and harmony.

Martin Luther King Day
2026-01-19
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday in the United States on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr.
Related Post: Celebrate the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Song

World Buskers Festival
2026-01-23
Buskers, also known as street performers, gather in Christchurch, New Zealand for the ten-day World Buskers Festival. Comedians, jugglers, acrobats, magicians, and more entertain visitors for voluntary donations.

Burns Night
2026-01-25
Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland to honor the life and contributions of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, born on January 25, 1759. Burns’ best-known work is Auld Lang Syne.

The Great Kindness Challenge
2026-01-26
The Great Kindness Challenge: One Week. One Checklist. Infinite Happiness.
Empower your students to create a culture of kindness.
Related Post: Teach Kindness in Your Classroom

Australia Day
2026-01-26
Australia Day marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the beginning of European settlement in Australia.
It is observed with national pride through events like parades, barbecues, and fireworks, as well as ceremonies for welcoming new citizens.
The day also invites reflection on Australia’s history, including discussions about Indigenous cultures and the impact of colonization.

Republic Day of India
2026-01-26
Republic Day of India has been celebrated since 1950. This day honors India’s constitution and is celebrated with grand celebrations, including a spectacular parade in New Delhi featuring cultural performances, military displays, and floats representing India’s diversity.
It is a time of national pride, honoring the country’s democratic values and rich heritage.

Up Helly Aa
2026-01-27
Up Helly Aa is a traditional Viking fire festival that takes place every year on the last Tuesday of January. It marks the beginning of the longer days and the new year.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day
2026-01-27
International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism and develops educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
