For centuries, winter holidays around the world have been a time for families and friends to come together and share traditions, like food, decorations, music and religious services.
In the U.S., Thanksgiving and Christmas are widely represented and celebrated. However, we may not be as familiar with other holidays that are also being celebrated during these festive months.
Learning about a variety of cultures and beliefs is the first step in respecting diverse holiday traditions. Here’s a brief introduction to some of the major winter holidays. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, decorating your office or simply spreading holiday cheer, we hope this makes it easy for you to celebrate inclusively. Happy Holidays — to all!
Diwali
Celebrated by over a billion people across the world, Diwali is a five-day festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Typically occurring in late October or early November, Diwali begins on the night of the new moon during the Hindu lunar calendar month of Karthik. Hindus in India began the tradition of Diwali, but Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs also celebrate it using their own traditions.
People celebrate by lighting rows of lamps and lanterns around their homes, setting off firecrackers and fireworks, wearing new and colorful clothes, gathering with friends and family, sharing meals, praying and exchanging gifts. They also practice a traditional Indian art form called rangoli, where they make intricate designs on the floor using a mixture of colorful sand, rice and other materials. Traditional Diwali food is shared, including samosas (fried pastries with a savory filling) and laddoos (a round, sweet treat).
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is a Jewish celebration that spans over eight nights. It takes place in the Hebrew calendar’s month of Kislev, which falls in November or December. Hanukkah celebrates the time when a group of Jewish people, called the Maccabees, defeated a Greek army to reclaim their Jewish temple. According to legend, after the Maccabees took back and rededicated their temple, they found a single jar of oil to light their menorah (a candle holder for seven candles). Even though there was only enough oil to keep the candles lit for one day, they miraculously kept burning for eight days.
When celebrating Hanukkah, family and friends gather for eight consecutive nights to light the menorah together — lighting one additional candle each night. They enjoy eating traditional foods like sufganiyot (deep-fried jelly donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes). Some also exchange small gifts and play with dreidels (small toy tops).
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that began in the U.S. in 1966. It is mostly celebrated in the U.S. and the Caribbean and takes place December 26 through January 1 each year. Kwanzaa honors African American and Pan-African families, communities and culture.
This seven-day celebration is deeply spiritual. Celebrants gather to reflect and pay tribute to their ancestors and the creator. Each day of Kwanzaa represents one of seven principles:
- Umoja (Unity)
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- Nia (Purpose)
- Kuumba (Creativity)
- Imani (Faith)
Celebrations incorporate the lighting of the Mishumaa saba — a special candle holder that holds seven candles. Three red candles represent struggle, three green candles represent land and hope for the future, and one black candle represents people of African heritage. Stories, music, poetry and dancing are all part of the celebration as well as a large feast on the sixth day, called Karamu Ya Imani.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year, is a 15-day festival commonly celebrated by East and Southeast Asian cultures. It begins on the night of the Lunar calendar’s first new moon. Lunar New Year is a time to usher out the old year and welcome good luck and prosperity for the year to come.
Legend has it that a monster named Nian would attack people and livestock on New Year’s Eve. However, Nian could be scared away by loud noises, fire and the color red. To this day, Lunar New Year is celebrated by using firecrackers and fireworks, putting up red decorations and wearing red clothing.
Celebrations focus on prosperity and togetherness and include gathering, feasting, honoring ancestors and exchanging gifts — including money placed in red envelopes. People clean their homes to clear out bad luck from the old year and to make space for good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Three King’s Day
Three King’s Day is a Christian holiday that originated in Spain and Latin America. It is celebrated on January 6 (the twelfth day of Christmas) and honors the day the three wise men arrived to meet the baby Jesus.
Families gather for food, music, celebration and gift exchanges. Some follow a Mexican tradition of ending their meal with a sweet bread, called rosca del rey, that has a small baby figurine hidden inside. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice must then give tamales to the group on Candlemas Day (February 2). Children leave shoes by the door to be filled with gifts from the wise men and leave out water and snacks for the wise men and their camels.